Stephen King revealed that he consumed so much “white powder” in the 80s that he doesn’t remember writing some of his books: he put cotton balls in so he wouldn’t stain his typewriter with blood

Bestselling author Stephen King has spoken candidly about the severity of his substance abuse during the height of his career, revealing that there are books he has little or no memory of writing due to his addiction.

In interviews and his memoir On Writing, King has described a period during the 1970s and 1980s when his use of drugs and alcohol spiraled out of control. According to the author, his addiction became so severe that he was consuming large amounts of cocaine on a daily basis while continuing to produce novels at a remarkable pace.

King has famously admitted that he barely remembers writing some of his works from that era. Among the books he has cited is Cujo (1981), which he later said he has almost no recollection of creating.

The extent of his addiction shocked many readers when details emerged about his writing habits during that period. King recalled suffering frequent nosebleeds from cocaine use and reportedly stuffing cotton balls into his nose while working at his typewriter to prevent blood from dripping onto manuscripts and equipment.

Despite his struggles, King’s productivity remained extraordinary. During the same period, he published numerous novels that would go on to become bestselling classics and inspire major film and television adaptations.

Behind the scenes, however, family members and friends became increasingly concerned about his health. King later revealed that his wife and loved ones eventually staged an intervention, confronting him with evidence of the toll his addictions were taking on his life and career.

The intervention proved to be a turning point. King entered recovery in the late 1980s and has remained open about his experiences ever since, often discussing addiction as a chronic disease rather than a moral failing.

Today, King is widely regarded as one of the most successful authors in modern publishing history, having sold hundreds of millions of books worldwide. His willingness to discuss his darkest years has also made him an influential voice on recovery, addiction awareness, and personal resilience.

Reflecting on that period, King has acknowledged both the damage caused by substance abuse and the importance of seeking help, emphasizing that recovery allowed him to continue his writing career and rebuild his life.