All the Celebrities Who Have Struggled With Drug or Alcohol Addiction

However, her death is still a mystery, and many are convinced that she was murdered by organized crime, the FBI, or the CIA. Judy Garland was an actress and singer best known for playing Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz. She died in 1969 after accidentally overdosing on barbiturates . Chris Farley was a comedian and actor known for his work on Saturday Night Live and films like Beverly Hills Ninja and Tommy Boy.

The intense spotlight leads many to become alcoholic stars. Alcoholic stars do not have privacy compared to the everyday average joe. Now in recovery for over 15 years, Robert Downey Jr.’s career seems to continue improving the longer he stays sober, making his comeback a very impressive and inspiring story. Alcohol can damage a fetus at any stage of pregnancy, but is most serious in the first few months. There is a risk of alcohol-related birth defects including growth deficiencies, facial abnormalities, and damage to the brain and nervous system. Developing a tolerance for alcohol can, in turn, convince them that their drinking is not a problem because they are not feeling its effects.

River Phoenix

Singer-songwriter Janis Joplin’s lifestyle consisted of drinking every day, to the point of blacking out and admitting to friends she did not remember the shows she played whatsoever. She also had a history of drug addictions, especially heroin. The “First Lady of Rock and Roll” overdose may have been caused by her severe anxiety and possible depression. Even though her death is thought to have been a heroin overdose, alcohol also played a role.

celebrities who died of alcoholism

Carangi is thought to be one of the first famous women to die of AIDS. Angelina Jolie portrayed this tragic figure in a biopic entitled Gia, made by HBO in 1998. Led Zeppelin’s drummer John Bonham died on Sept. 25, 1980.

Benefits Of Recovery vs. Discomfort Of Withdrawal

Elvis Presley was a singer and actor known as the “King of Rock and Roll.” In 1977, he died of a heart attack that was probably linked to his prescription drug addiction. 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. Jim Morrison was a singer, songwriter, and poet known as the lead vocalist for The Doors.

  • In September of that year, he passed away from an overdose of Heminevrin, a medication used to treat and prevent alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
  • In the book, she writes how she used alcohol as a coping mechanism and how drinkingworsened those deep-seated issues.
  • While we may be more accustomed to celebrities dying to heroin and other drugs, many have died due to an addiction to alcohol.
  • Ark Behavioral Health offers 100% confidential substance abuse assessment and treatment placement tailored to your individual needs.

On the night of February 18, 1980, Scott met up with a few friends at the Music Machine club in London, where he drank heavily and eventually climbed into his friend’s parked celebrities who died of alcoholism car to sleep it off. The following day his friends found him unresponsive and covered in vomit. He was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital at just 33 years old.

What to Do if You Think You Need Help for Drug or Alcohol Misuse

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. Prescription drugs, especially the opioid analgesics, now cause more deaths than heroin https://ecosoberhouse.com/ and cocaine. All of these drugs can cause central nervous system and respiratory depression. They form deadly combinations with barbiturates and other sedatives and with alcohol. Actor Heath Ledger died in January 2008 of an overdose of a number of prescription drugs, including codeine, temazepam, diazepam, and alprazolam.

  • Alcoholism is more than simply a lack of self control; today, it is considered an all out addictive disorder.
  • According to reports, Houston took a combination of drugs including Xanax, marijuana, Flexeril, and cocaine.
  • In the clip, a snippet of Macklemore’s song “CHANT” played in the background which addressed his ups and downs amid the road to recovery.
  • She died in 2007 from a drug overdose of the sedative chloral hydrate combined with other prescription drugs Klonopin, Ativan, Serax, and Valium.
  • By mimicking various neurotransmitters, they activate the mesolimbic reward system deep within the brain.

The rapper’s death was said to be caused by a combination of substances including cocaine, alcohol, and fentanyl. After infamously being known as the ‘sober sister’ for quite some time, Kim Kardashian has revealed she’s drinking alcohol again. ’Hamlet’ star Richard Burton – who was married to Elizabeth Taylor twice – passed away on August 5, 1984, in Céligny, Switzerland.