Modern Day Vampires

Thousands of people worldwide claim to be vampires, meaning they drink blood (human or animal). According to surveys conducted by the Atlanta Vampire Alliance, there are at least 5,000 people in the U.S. who identify as vampires. They keep mostly to themselves in fear of what the public might think about their uncommon practice. The urge to drink blood can start during puberty and is a result of diseases. Clinical vampirism, more commonly known as Renfield’s syndrome, is an obsession with drinking blood. Early signs of this disease also include sexual arousal by a blood injury or the thought of ingesting blood. Some discover accidentally that they enjoy blood and the energy they get from it. For instance, they might bite their lip really hard and realize the burst of energy they get from the blood.

Balfazaar Ashantison identifies as a "sanguine" vampire, or a vampire that must drink blood to survive. HISTORY clip (end 2:20)