It’s been a little over 14 months since we tragically lost beloved actor and advocate Matthew Perry to an alleged ketamine overdose. While many loved and adored Perry for his role as Chandler Bing on Friends, for others, Perry was a beacon of hope, an example of what can happen when you have the strength to get sober.
Matthew Perry’s battle with both mental health and addiction was not only a reminder that mental health and addiction do not discriminate, but it was also a reminder that with courage, commitment, and resilience, recovery is possible, no matter how bad things may seem or how alone you may feel.
In this blog, we are going to explore Matthew Perry’s journey through addiction and recovery, highlighting not just the good that came from it, but also some of the very important and valuable lessons his untimely death taught us about medical care as it relates to sobriety and recovery.
The Hard Work Of Being Sober
It’s no secret that for Perry, not just getting sober but staying sober was one of the hardest challenges of his life. He was very open about this in interviews and at public appearances, sharing what he went through daily to maintain his sobriety.
Like so many out there, Perry’s battle with addiction started when he was prescribed prescription painkillers after an accident. Those opioids in particular are what sent Perry spiraling, leading to numerous mental and physical health complications, including a ruptured spleen in 2018 that required emergency surgery.
Despite all this, Perry continued to fight against addiction and maintain his sobriety until his dying days. According to his own memoir, Perry spent upwards of $7 million at various treatment and rehab facilities trying to get sober.
Personal Struggle, Public Inspiration
Despite his repeated struggles with addiction, Perry tried to use his problems for good. While many choose to go through their sobriety journey privately, Perry went the opposite way, constantly being open and talking about his struggles in public. Doing so allowed many out there to see that even someone with fame and fortune can battle the same demons that they have.
As you can imagine, his openness and honesty when it came to his struggles resonated deeply with not just his fans but others who saw themselves in Perry as it related to their own struggles. Perry shared countless stories about the feeling of hitting rock bottom and not knowing how to stop. He also shared stories about what it was like on the set of Friends as he was trying to get sober like this one, shared by the Today Show after his passing from his memoir:
While filming Chandler and Monica’s wedding in season seven he was living in a rehab facility, according to his memoir.
“I married Monica and got driven back to the treatment center — at the height of my highest point in ‘Friends,’ the highest point in my career, the iconic moment on the iconic show — in a pickup truck helmed by a sober technician,” he wrote.
Perry’s Memoir: Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing
Perry’s memoir, titled Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing was released in 2022. While the book talks a lot about his career and fame, more importantly, it talks in detail about the depths of his addiction and the lows that came with it. In typical Matthew Perry fashion though, even when talking about the hell that he went through as it related to addiction, he did so in that classic deadpan humor that everyone loved.
Through his words, readers saw a man determined not only to survive but to turn his pain into purpose. Perry’s book became a lifeline for many, offering practical advice, encouragement, and hope to those grappling with addiction.
Whether this was Perry’s plan or an unintended consequence, he went all in, telling people that he hoped that the book would serve as a lifeline to others battling addiction, offering insights into recovery and the importance of seeking help.
Helping Others Get Sober
While his memoir ended up being a powerful tool for those looking for help and encouragement to get sober, Matthew’s advocacy went far beyond just the book.
As a famous celebrity and someone a generation of people quite literally grew up watching, Perry used his platform to support and inspire others directly. In 2013, he converted his Malibu home into a sober living facility called the Perry House. This space provided a haven for people transitioning from rehab to real-life sobriety, offering the tools and support necessary to maintain their recovery.
Perry felt that doing this was a way to show others out there that everyone deserves a chance to rebuild their lives. In fact, it was such a noble effort that in 2015 Perry was awarded the Champion of Recovery Award from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.
This was just another example of Perry not just talking about sobriety but being an active member of the sobriety community and providing those in need the resources to get their life back on track.
Fighting Stigma Through Advocacy
As you have clearly seen by now, Matthew Perry fought relentlessly not just to shine a light on his personal struggles with addiction, but also to rid everyone of the unjust stigma surrounding addiction.
In interviews, Perry would regularly talk about how society often blames individuals for their struggles, perpetuating harmful stereotypes about addiction being a moral failing rather than a complex disease.
Hearing someone rich and famous shine a light on these unjust stigmas once again showed everyone that just because you have money and fame doesn’t mean you can’t battle the same demons that regular people do. After all, addiction does not care who you are, how much money you have, or where you live.
His continued openness about his own struggles not only further humanized him, but also taught many people out there that just because you are rich, famous, and successful, doesn’t mean you will always have a perfect life.
The False Narratives Surrounding Addiction
Unfortunately, despite Perry’s openness, misconceptions surrounding addiction continue to fester. We saw this in the hours and days after his passing. Without knowing all the facts, many people assumed that his death was related to a relapse and an overdose.
However, as more information became available, we learned that his death was at least partially caused by a ketamine therapy regimen that he was on. According to various medical experts, it is believed that, while Perry did appear to experience a fatal overdose, it was not a result of any illegal substance, but the ketamine he was being prescribed as part of his therapy.
Even in death, Perry continued to fight against the false narratives surrounding addiction.
Ketamine Use and Addiction
One thing in particular that Perry’s death shined a light on is the use of ketamine in a therapeutic way. Originally developed as an anesthetic, in recent years it has been used experimentally by some therapists and other treatment professionals as a way to treat depression.
While it may be effective for some, like any substance, it comes with risks if not properly administered and managed. While ketamine has been heralded as a breakthrough in mental health treatment, it is not without controversy. Patients must be informed about the risks and benefits of any treatment and encouraged to ask questions about their care.
Perry’s death, and the events surrounding it, once again shine a light on the dangers of self-medication as well as the dangers of overprescribing by medical professionals.
Matthew Perry On Sobriety Before His Death
In what would end up being his final interviews before his death, Perry spoke about the peace he had found in sobriety. He expressed pride in his recovery and the work he had done to help others.
He also spoke about getting and staying sober at a human level, talking about how if he could get sober then anyone could, using his platform to encourage others to get the help they need up until his dying day.
Find Support and Recovery at Discovery Institute
Matthew Perry’s life was a testament to the power of recovery and the impact of advocacy. Though his passing is a profound loss, his legacy lives on in the lives he touched and the inspiration he provided.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, it’s important to heed Perry’s words and know that you are not alone. It’s also important to remember that there are people out there who want to help you and want to see you succeed.
To learn more about getting started on that recovery journey, contact us today.
Dr. Joseph Ranieri D.O. earned his BS in Pharmacy at Temple University School of Pharmacy in 1981 and His Doctorate Degree in Osteopathic Medicine at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1991. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and a Diplomate of the American Board of Preventive Medicine Addiction Certification. Dr. Ranieri has lectured extensively to physicians, nurses, counselors and laypeople about the Disease of Addiction throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania since 2012.
