Long before the start of the opioid epidemic in the U.S., celebrity overdoses and drug-related deaths took place. With that said, the number of people who die each day from an opioid overdose is unfathomable. The 27 Club includes a long list of celebrity overdoses that happened to mostly famous musicians who died at the age of 27 years old. Not all died from an overdose, although many of them tragically did. Lil Peep was an American rapper and singer who died of an overdose of prescription drugs at the young age of 21.
- The tragic tales of famous people who died of drug overdoses capture the attention of the public.
- Heroin slows down the body’s functions, including breathing, while methamphetamine accelerates them, putting immense stress on the body’s vital organs.
- A celebrity might even develop a sense of security when getting drugs through a doctor because they might believe it to be safer than getting drugs from the streets.
- Kovar had famously battled addiction while filming MTV’s The Real World, leaving the show at one point to seek treatment in rehab.
- By mimicking various neurotransmitters, they activate the mesolimbic reward system deep within the brain.
Who are the Celebrities Who Died of Overdose?
His cause of death was ruled as excited delirium, ‘the toxic effects of cocaine’, and an enlarged heart. At the age of 47, Judy Garland, died due to an accidental barbiturate overdose. Prior to her death, it was known publicly that the actress had struggled with addiction-related problems. A few weeks after his passing, the New York Medical Examiner’s Office ruled that he died of acute mixed drug intoxication, including heroin, cocaine, benzodiazepines and amphetamine.
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While not an actual club, the ’27 Club’ includes notable figures such as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, and Amy Winehouse. For decades, drug addiction has been the downfall of many celebrities. It is concerning how easily illicit substances can be acquired, which only exacerbates the problem. Whether intentionally or by accident, a fatal overdose is a tragic end. Unfortunately, the list of celebrities who have lost their lives to drug dependency continues to grow. This compilation includes actors, musicians, and other celebrities who died from overdose.
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- Hollywood is almost like another world, a city of bright lights, brighter stars, and extraordinary excess that could feel alien to everyone else.
- Perry had played pickleball earlier in the day, the report says, and his assistant, who lives with him, found him face down in the pool after returning from errands.
- His substance abuse and addiction issues were frequently referenced in his music.
- Lastly, celebrities have lots of money, so they can afford to buy whatever they want, whenever they want it.
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This group of individuals is also the least likely to receive overdose trainings, contributing to their heightened vulnerability 4. The overdose crisis is a significant public health issue that extends beyond the celebrity world. The use of prescription medications in conjunction with illegal drugs or alcohol can result in unpredictable and fatal reactions.
Fentanyl-Related Deaths
Nearly 85% of overdose deaths involve illicitly manufactured fentanyls, heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine (alone or in combination). The misuse and addiction to prescription opioids have contributed to an alarming increase in drug-related deaths in recent years. The music industry mourned the loss of Whitney Houston in 2012, when she tragically passed away from a drug overdose.
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- Prescription opioids, when misused, can lead to severe health complications, including fatal overdoses.
- At the age of 30, Def Leppard guitarist Clark was found dead by his girlfriend in his London home.
- If you’re curious to learn more, click through to discover which famous individuals have died from overdoses.
Popstar Michael Jackson died from a propofol overdose in 2009 at age 50. His death came as a result of cardiac arrest brought on by the drugs in his system. Earlier in his career, he had been treated for addiction at a California medical facility.
(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. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 50% of Americans 12 and older have used drugs at least once in their lifetime. The alert did not come without solid cause, as Levenson told PEOPLE that America is facing a “national opioid epidemic, with overdose being the number one cause of accidental deaths in the country. The popular American singer-songwriter was found dead in a hotel room in 1970. Investigators surmised that Joplin had been given heroin of a far greater potency than she was accustomed to, as several of her dealer’s other customers also overdosed during the same weekend. On August 5, 1962, though, Monroe was discovered dead by her housekeeper and her psychiatrist.
Chris Farley, who was known for his loud, energetic comedy and big lifestyle, is next on our list of celebrities who overdosed. He had spent years struggling with drug addiction before he died. The tragic loss of a renowned celebrity or athlete to a drug or alcohol-related death is an event that Alcoholics Anonymous often leaves many unanswered questions.
Legendary music icon Prince died at 57 from an accidental overdose of the opioid fentanyl in 2016. Prince’s death was an early warning sign of how deadly synthetic opioids like fentanyl can be. Unfortunately, the warning came far too late for many, but being aware of the danger can help. Struggling with famous people that died from overdose addiction, Chuck Mosely, lead singer of the rock band Faith No More, died at 57 of an illegal heroin overdose in 2017.
