Claire Dawson
Matthew Perry, the actor best known for his role as Chandler Bing in the popular sitcom *Friends*, has had a well-documented struggle with addiction. Perry has been hospitalised multiple times throughout his career, with sources citing hospital stays in 2000, 2018, and 2022. Perry's hospitalisations have been linked to his addiction, with the actor himself admitting that his drinking was the cause of his pancreatitis in 2000, which resulted in a 30-day hospital stay. In 2018, Perry underwent emergency surgery for a gastrointestinal perforation, spending three months in the hospital. Perry's 2022 hospitalisation was due to a medical emergency in Switzerland, where he was administered propofol, which interacted with hydrocodone already in his system, causing his heart to stop for five minutes. Perry's battle with addiction has been widely discussed, with the actor himself being open about his struggles and his journey to sobriety.
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What You'll Learn
Matthew Perry's opioid addiction
In 1997, Matthew Perry, who was then starring in the popular sitcom Friends, entered rehab for the first time to treat his addiction to opioids and alcohol. The actor had been struggling with substance abuse issues since he was first prescribed opioids following a serious jet-ski accident in 1997, which left him with a ruptured disc. The injury was so severe that Perry became dependent on the opioids, and his addiction soon spiraled out of control. Over the next few years, he would repeatedly seek treatment, but his addiction proved difficult to overcome.
In an interview, Perry once stated that he doesn't remember three years of his time on Friends, which is a sad indictment of the hold his addiction had on him. During this time, his weight fluctuated drastically, and he often appeared gaunt and unwell. His addiction also impacted his career, and he began to miss rehearsals and filming due to his drug use. Despite this, he managed to conceal the extent of his addiction from the public and even his co-stars for a significant period.
In 2000, Perry made the brave decision to write a letter to himself, which he shared with People magazine, detailing his struggles and his commitment to getting sober. He wrote, "I am so sorry for the pain and embarrassment I have caused and I promise you that I will do everything in my power to prevent this from ever happening again." This public acknowledgment of his addiction was a turning point for Perry, and he subsequently entered rehab once more.
However, his road to recovery was not without setbacks. In 2001, he suffered a relapse and checked himself into rehab for a third time. He later opened up about this difficult period, admitting that he had felt "safe" in rehab and that leaving and facing the outside world had been a challenge. Thankfully, Perry persevered in his sobriety journey, and in 2002, he celebrated one year of sobriety, marking a significant milestone in his battle against addiction.
Perry has been open about his struggles and has used his platform to raise awareness about addiction and the importance of seeking help. He has also worked to support others in their recovery, serving as a source of inspiration and hope for those battling addiction. His honesty and dedication to helping others have been commended, and he continues to be an advocate for those struggling with substance abuse. Perry's journey serves as a reminder that addiction can affect anyone and that recovery is possible with dedication, support, and treatment.
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His 2018 gastrointestinal perforation
In 2018, Matthew Perry spent three months in the hospital and underwent surgery to repair a gastrointestinal perforation. A gastrointestinal perforation is a hole that develops along the gastrointestinal tract, which includes the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. This condition can be incredibly dangerous and often causes severe abdominal pain and tenderness, nausea, vomiting, and a loss of appetite.
Perry's publicist released a statement to People magazine, confirming that the actor had undergone surgery and asking for privacy while he healed. On Twitter, Perry himself later wrote, "Three months in a hospital bed. Check."
The gastrointestinal perforation was likely caused by Perry's opioid overuse. In his 2022 memoir, *Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing*, Perry discusses his long struggle with alcohol and drug addiction, including his addiction to Vicodin, which developed after a jet ski accident in 1997. Perry's opioid overuse caused him to undergo emergency surgery for seven hours, during which he was given a 2% chance of survival. Following the surgery, he was in a coma for two weeks and had to use a colostomy bag for nine months.
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2000 hospitalisation for pancreatitis
In May 2000, Matthew Perry was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles for pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas induced by alcohol abuse. Perry had been open about his lifelong addiction to drugs and alcohol, which began when he was just 14 years old.
Perry's struggles with addiction were well-known, and he had previously sought treatment for his alcohol and opioid abuse, specifically an addiction to Vicodin which stemmed from a jet ski accident in 1997. Despite his efforts to get sober, he relapsed and was hospitalised in 2000 for pancreatitis. This hospitalisation served as a wake-up call for Perry, who recognised the severity of his illness and the need for a lifestyle change.
Pancreatitis is a potentially deadly condition that can be caused by alcohol and prescription opioid abuse. Perry had struggled with both of these issues for many years prior to his hospitalisation. The illness was a sign of how out of control his life had become; upon his release from the hospital, he crashed his Porsche into a house, demonstrating the ongoing negative impact of his addiction.
Perry's appearance changed drastically during his recovery, and he later recalled often shaking and sweating on the set of "Friends" as he went through detox. Despite the support of his castmates, who staged an intervention, Perry was unable to maintain his sobriety and continued to struggle with addiction. He eventually returned to rehab in 2001, taking a two-month break from filming to focus on his recovery.
Perry's journey with addiction was long and challenging, but he used his experiences to advocate for support for other addicts. He opened Perry House, a men's sober-living facility, and received recognition from the White House for his work in this area. Perry's story serves as a reminder that addiction is a complex and ongoing battle.
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His near-death experience in Switzerland
Matthew Perry had a near-death experience in Switzerland in 2020. He was staying at a rehab facility in the country when he took hydrocodone before a surgery. He had faked pain to get a prescription for 1,800 milligrams of the drug per day. He was also treated with propofol, the drug that killed Michael Jackson, which is usually used for anaesthesia. The combination of hydrocodone and propofol proved to be near-fatal.
Perry recalled the incident on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' in November 2022. He shared that his heart stopped for five minutes but he "didn't flatline". He woke up in a different hospital 10 hours later. He also had to undergo cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) which resulted in eight broken ribs.
Perry's near-death experience in Switzerland caused him to exit the Oscar-nominated film 'Don't Look Up'. He was supposed to have a role in the film alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence and Meryl Streep.
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His fatal ketamine overdose
Matthew Perry, the beloved actor known for his role as Chandler Bing on the popular TV sitcom "Friends," died suddenly in October 2023 at the age of 54. His death was caused by a fatal ketamine overdose, which shocked the world and led to an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his passing.
Perry had been candid about his long-standing struggles with addiction and his journey to sobriety. He had spent years battling alcoholism and opioid addiction, and in October 2022, he expressed his confidence in maintaining his sobriety in an interview with PEOPLE. However, his history with addiction resurfaced, leading to his untimely demise.
In the months leading up to his death, Perry underwent ketamine therapy to treat his depression and anxiety. While the therapeutic doses themselves were not the cause of his death, Perry had also been abusing ketamine outside of this supervised context, leading to his fatal overdose. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office ruled his death as accidental, with acute ketamine intoxication listed as the primary cause.
The investigation into Perry's death resulted in charges being brought against five individuals, including his personal assistant, two doctors, and a drug dealer. They were implicated in helping Perry acquire lethal doses of ketamine, contributing to his accidental overdose. The tragic loss of Matthew Perry highlights the dangers of substance abuse and the complex nature of addiction, even as he worked to maintain his sobriety.
Perry's death had a significant impact, leading to the establishment of the Matthew Perry Foundation by the National Philanthropic Trust. The foundation aims to provide support and assistance to individuals struggling with addiction, carrying on Perry's legacy of advocating for rehabilitation and helping others facing similar challenges.
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Frequently asked questions
Matthew Perry was hospitalised in 2000 for two weeks due to alcohol-induced pancreatitis.
Matthew Perry was hospitalised in 2018 for three months due to a gastrointestinal perforation. He underwent emergency surgery to repair the hole in his bowel.
Yes, Matthew Perry had a near-death experience in 2018 when his colon burst from years of opioid overuse. He spent two weeks in a coma and was given a 2% chance of survival.
No, Matthew Perry died at home in his hot tub in October 2023.
Yes, Matthew Perry struggled with addiction for decades. He was open about his struggles and became an advocate for rehabilitation.
