The Science of Stephen King

Meg: “Stephen King has been open about his struggle with multiple addictions, including during the time he wroteThe Shining. Have you found that creative expression has helped with those grappling with addiction? Can creating art or focusing on hobbies and passions be a part of addiction therapy?”

Sara Melendez: “In hearing thousands of stories of people in crisis, I have found that some of their stories fall into patterns. That being said, I have yet to meet an individual who suffers a severe mental illness, or a severe substance issue (or both), that hasn’t suffered some type of childhood trauma. In order to cope, some follow creative pursuits and when under the influence are able to channel the pain of their childhood trauma into creativity. I’ve read several times that Stephen King witnessed his friend being hit and killed by a train when they were children. He returned home and had forgotten what happened by the time he got home, according to reports. I believe that event was not resolved at the time he wrote The Shining. Mr. King bases some of his stories around childhood trauma like The Stand (which also involved a train), Rose Madder (1995), It (Beverly was a classic victim of childhood sexual trauma by her father). I think that, yes, focusing on hobbies and passions can be part of addictions therapy; however, my belief is that when Mr. King wrote some of his stories in blackout mode (as I’ve read) he wasn’t necessarily in a therapeutic situation but was more likely processing his childhood trauma in his own way.”

Kelly: “Wow! That is fascinating, and so true that a lot of his work focuses on dysfunction in childhood, as exhibited by the character of Danny Torrance.”

Meg: “I like how authors, or any creators, have the ability to process their trauma through art!”

Alcohol-related fatalities are the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States, following the first, tobacco, and second, obesity.

Kelly:“InThe Shining, Jack Torrance is an alcoholic. Soon, the reader finds out that, although he is intelligent and talented, he has lost his job at a prep school. This was due to his drinking which caused him to erupt at his students. He also uncharacteristically broke his son Danny’s arm. Can you speak to this Jekyll- and Hyde-like nature in those with addiction? Do you feel this is an accurate portrayal?”

Sara Melendez: “In some situations, yes. It depends on the substance. I’ve found that people high on methamphetamine and blackout drunk can be very labile—one second they’re reasonable and the next second they’re dangerous. People on the influence of other drugs, like heroin, marijuana, and opiates are not as extreme.”

Meg:“AsThe Shiningprogresses, we witness the conflict in Wendy Torrance’s life as the spouse of an alcoholic. What are some of the common issues and traumas that you have come to expect from loved ones in a similar position as Wendy?”

Sara Melendez: “With every person who is an addict comes an enabler or enabler(s). Wendy was an enabler by tolerating his behavior and staying with him even after he faced consequences due to his addiction (losing his job), and covered up his abuse by not reporting it to authorities after he abused Danny. Without enablers, addicts could not survive long as addicts.”

Kelly:“From your place of expertise, in which King novels or stories were you impressed with his representation of characters either besieged with addiction or mental illness?”