Or at least they are in The World on Blood , Jonathan Nasaw's book, which adds a new twist to Vampire mythology. Nasaw's vampires are people who have a gene that makes human blood a powerful intoxicant. The world on blood is brighter, sharper, and more vibrant.
Blood makes the vampire stronger and quicker.
But when the blood wears off, the elephant of depression sits on their shoulders. Only more blood will bring the vibrant world back. For vampires, this makes blood a drug, like cocaine or heroin. The vampires in The World on Blood , being twentieth century vampires, are in a twelve step program for their blood addiction. This may sound like a satire on twelve step programs, and it is.