"Matthew Perry, the beloved 'Friends' star, left a void in Hollywood with his recent tragic passing at just 54 years old. His untimely demise, attributed to a ketamine overdose leading to accidental drowning in his Pacific Palisades residence, sheds light on the darker realities of addiction that plagued his life for over three decades.
Matthew Perry’s rehab buddy said he wasn’t able to deal with ‘tough love’ https://t.co/Jwh0l4d82y pic.twitter.com/RJ6bcLJOLi
— New York Post (@nypost) December 20, 2023
Perry's journey was one of relentless battles against addiction, a struggle that saw him attending numerous Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings and undergoing rehabilitation programs, totaling a staggering $9 million expenditure from his estimated $120 million fortune. Despite his earnest efforts, Perry found solace in what seemed like an 'enabler cocoon,' shielding him from confronting the harsh realities of his condition, eventually proving detrimental to his recovery.
Amidst this narrative, Dr. David Mahjoubi emerges, a prominent figure cautioning against the rampant misuse of ketamine in Los Angeles. He highlights the surge in ketamine use, particularly for treating depression, exacerbated by relaxed regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Mahjoubi points fingers at the lax oversight in the medical fraternity and the burgeoning trend of 'concierge medicine,' where individuals seek high-priced in-home treatments without adequate mental health assessments. It's a concerning situation likened to a modern-day 'ketamine rush,' fuelled by the ease of online accessibility and lax regulations.
The autopsy report on Perry's demise uncovered a startling array of medications, including testosterone injections and Buprenorphine, a substance utilized in addiction treatment. His home resembled a pharmacy with an assortment of pills, tablets, and capsules strewn about—a grim reminder of the severity of the situation.