Celebrity overdoses have grown in frequency, just showing that fame does not protect people from the disheartening consequences of addiction. Drug and alcohol addiction affects millions of people every day in the United States alone. In fact, approximately 1 in 10 Americans over the age of 12 are addicted.
Celebrities
Addiction has an endless reach, regardless of sex, religion, economic or social status. It is an equal opportunity destroyer of lives. This becomes particularly apparent when we see a celebrity has passed from substance abuse. It’s become common practice at awards shows, to have a time-slot reserved to honor those who have passed, often from drug or alcohol addiction.
It’s unfathomable to think that someone with so much talent and resources at their disposal, could possibly let a substance ruin their life. Well, if you know how addiction works, you likely understand that it runs much deeper than how much money or prestige you have.
Celebrity Overdoses
As we begin 2019, we have yet to have suffered the tragic loss of another talented celebrity. Sad as it may be, it would be incredibly naive to think that it’s not coming eventually. We can be optimistic and hope for the best, but the odds are stacked against us. Here are a few of the most memorable celebrities we lost last year due to addiction.
Mac Miller
Probably the most high-profile celebrity to have passed in 2018 due to drug overdose, Mac Miller was a well-known American rapper and entertainer. Miller was open about his struggle with substance use throughout his career. He spoke about his addiction to “lean” and other substances, and his struggle to stop using them. Notably, he was dating Ariana Grande for two years, in a relationship that ended shortly before his death. On September 7, 2018 he was found unresponsive in his apartment. He was pronounced dead at the scene from a suspected drug overdose, which was later confirmed by toxicology. Approximately a month later information was released that revealed he died from “mixed drug toxicity”. A combination of fentanyl, alcohol, and cocaine was found in his system.
Verne Troyer
Widely known for his role in the Austin Powers movies as “mini-me”, Verne Troyer passed in early 2018. Aside from his numerous movie roles, Troyer was also prominently featured in television as well. One of his most infamous appearances was a 2005 episode of “The Surreal Life” that went viral. The clip showed a nude and intoxicated Troyer riding around in his wheelchair, eventually urinating in the corner of a room. By 2016 he had been to rehab two times and publicly announced his “sobriety”. He claimed to have gotten his drinking problem under control and drank occasionally. His social media posts seemed to paint his life in a positive way, showing him laughing and smiling frequently. However, he was rushed to the hospital in early April of 2018, and several weeks later on April 21, 2018, it was announced he had passed. His death was later ruled a suicide by alcohol poisoning.
Dolores O’Riordan
O’Riordan was best known as the lead singer of the band The Cranberries, an Irish rock band popular during the 90’s. She had a very distinct voice with a limerick accent, as well as a yodeling sound in her vocals. In 2017 she publicly spoke about her struggle with bipolar disorder but never mentioned substance abuse issues. On January 15, 2018 she was found unresponsive submerged in a hotel bathtub. She was pronounced dead the same morning. It was later revealed that she drowned as the result of an accident due to alcohol intoxication.
Everyone thinks that this can never happen to them. These celebrity overdose deaths are a testament to the fact that it can, and will happen. Nobody is above the grips of an addiction. There are so many resources available today if you are struggling with substance use disorder. Royal Life Centers offers a full program of substance use disorder treatment. If you or someone you know needs help, don’t wait until it’s too late. Call our addiction specialists right now. We are available 24/7 at (877)-RECOVERY or (888) 716-4070
