Alcohol and Drugs: Untimely Celebrity Deaths

Unlike the other members of the Grateful Dead, McKernan preferred alcohol and avoided psychedelic drugs. By 1971, doctors had advised him to stop touring because alcoholism and liver damage had greatly affected his health. On March 8, 1973, he was found dead at age 27 due to a gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Even if you are not regularly consuming alcohol, you can still experience its short-term effects. Binge drinking is a dangerous habit that will cause you physical harm. Robin Williams struggled with alcohol and depression throughout his life.

He ultimately played the role of the star quarterback for four seasons, up until his death. Several years later, he was asked to portray the role of Mini-Me in the second Austin Power film. Impressed by his acting, Mike Myers, the co-creator of the series actually rewrote the script to give him more screen time. Troyer later reprised his role in the sequel Powers in Goldmember, which came out in 2002.

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After that, the late actor struggled off and on with alcohol for years until his death in 2014. He even regularly highlighted these struggles as a part of his stand-up routines. It lays in wait for the time when you think, ‘It’s fine now, I’m OK.’ Then, the next thing you know, it’s not OK. I didn’t realize I was in Cleveland.’” Sadly, Williams died in 2014. He was reported to have just entered rehab again shortly before his death. He was best known for his role as Finn Hudson in the television series Glee.

Over time deep chemical changes render the brain unable to function properly without the substance. This is called dependence, a common indicator of addiction. According to Ellis’ family, the actor had been through rehab many times, albeit unsuccessfully, which is why he was attempting to quit on his own. In a family statement to the Hollywood Reporter, Ellis’ father said his kidneys failed, he had a blood infection, his blood pressure dropped and “his dear sweet heart raced out of control.” Daniel Radcliffe has been open about his excessive drinking while filming “Harry Potter.” He turned to alcohol to cope with the pressure from his job. He confessed his fears about his career after the franchise came to an end, which fueled his addiction.

John Belushi (Speedball, Cocaine & Heroin)

Alcohol’s social acceptance makes us forget that it is a drug and causes harm when consumed in excess. Even though many can enjoy alcohol occasionally, some form an addiction to alcohol. Led Zeppelin’s drummer John Bonham died on Sept. 25, 1980.

• Tragically, Fisher died of a heart attack in December 2016.
• Anyone who has ever struggled with addiction knows that it can be a deadly disease.
• Whitney Houston was a singer and actress who became one of the best-selling music artists in history.
• Mr. Longo was born in Colorado on March 4, 1988, and studied psychology and film at the University of California, Los Angeles.
• He also played the guitar for Bodom After Midnight, which they’d put together just a few months prior to his death.

He is a recovering from alcoholism and has been sober for over a decade. I never would have been able to have the relationships that I do. I never would have been able to take care of https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/10-celebrities-who-died-because-of-alcoholism/ my father the way I did when he was sick. So many things.” Cooper’s statements attest to the fact that alcohol affects more than just yourself — it also affects those around you.

Mac Miller (Cocaine, Alcohol, & Oxycodone-Laced Fentanyl)

She is regarded as one of the most influential jazz singers in American history, but she spent most of her life under the grip of drug and alcohol addiction. Holiday used drugs and alcohol to self-medicate and deal with years of sexual abuse as a child and teenager. On July 17, 1959, she died of pulmonary edema and heart failure due to alcohol-induced cirrhosis of the liver.

It is hard not to think about how many of these talented musicians may have led longer, more productive lives if they had received adequate help for alcohol addiction. A program that may have addressed any co-occurring disorders and helped with coping mechanisms to handle the stresses of their career. John Bonham is also on the long list of famous musicians who drank themselves to death. According to those who knew Bonham, he often missed his home life while on tour with his band, Led Zeppelin, and often turned to drinking to drown out his sadness. On September 24th, 1980, Led Zeppelin started rehearsals for their North American tour.

famous people who drank themselves to death

He also appeared in the films Sisters & Brothers and Monte Carlo. Verne Troyer is best known for portraying Mini-Me in the spy film series Austin Powers. Born with cartilage-hair hypoplasia, he stood 2 ft 8 inches tall. However, his parents never treated him any different than his siblings.

Billie Holiday is considered to be one of the greatest jazz singers of all time. A child of poverty, she was raised mainly by her mother-in-law and frequently skipped school. It wasn’t until 2009, when he was cast in Glee, that he rose to stardom.

Cody Longo, ‘Days of Our Lives’ Actor, Dies at 34

Anna Nicole Smith died of an accidental drug overdose in 2007. The death of the 39-year old actress was caused by an overdose of benzodiazepines and chloral hydrate. Oxycodone is an opioid prescription painkiller that has been used as a recreational drug. When it became more difficult to get opioids, many people turned to illicit drug dealers to get their fix. The problem is that these street opioids are often counterfeit versions that contain other substances like fentanyl. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine that’s why a minute amount may cause an overdose.

• She committed to a long-term program to support her efforts to stay sober.
• We strive to give our clients the tools they need to gain long-lasting sobriety that continues way beyond their time with us.
• During that period, he also wrote for numerous popular magazines including Collier’s Weekly, Esquire, and The Saturday Evening Post.

(She had enemas frequently, as did other Hollywood stars.) Again, following her death, there was a cover-up by the Los Angeles Police Department and the government. These symptoms can start within hours after one’s last consumed alcoholic beverage. It is important not to take these symptoms lightly, as they might be a precursor for more severe symptoms. Mr. Longo was a singer, songwriter, musician and music producer and served as a music supervisor and executive producer on film and television projects. He released his first EP, “Atmosphere,” in 2012 and the single “She Said” in 2013. A singer, songwriter and music producer, as well as an actor, Mr. Longo also appeared in the TV series “Hollywood Heights” and in movies.

Several prescription drugs were found in her system as well. In July 2013, just a few months after another stay in rehab, he was found dead in his hotel room in Downtown Vancouver. According to reports, hotel staff had entered his room after he failed to check out after a seven-night stay. His official cause of death was later determined to be ‘mixed drug toxicity’ consisting of alcohol and heroin.

Drug-drug interactions may also play a role in drug-related deaths. If you or someone you love struggles with drug use, please reach out to an Ark Behavioral Health specialist. Our substance abuse treatment programs offer personalized, evidence-based care to help you or your loved one become drug-free. River Phoenix was an Oscar-nominated actor known for films such as Stand by Me and My Own Private Idaho. In 1993, he died of an accidental overdose involving cocaine and heroin. Cory Monteith was an actor best known for his role in the television series Glee.