Matthew Perry has revealed that his opioid addiction became so severe that he “nearly died” four years ago at age 49, when his colon was torn from drug abuse.
speak with People In the lead-up to his new memoir, “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing,” the “Friends” star said the incident put him in a two-week coma and the family was told he had a 2% chance of surviving. . He also had to use a colostomy bag for nine months.
“The doctors told my family that I had a 2 percent chance of living,” Perry said. “I’m called an ECMO machine, that does all the breathing for your heart and your lungs. And it’s called a Hail Mary. Nobody survives it.”
Perry said that when she was first cast on “Friends” at the age of 24, her alcohol addiction began to manifest itself. While he remained calm, however, he said that his career was flourishing.
“I could handle it, sort of,” Perry said. “But by the time I was 34, I got really into a lot of trouble. But there were years when I was sober during that time. Season 9 was the year I was completely sober. And guess what? Which season was I nominated for Best Actor? I was like, ‘I need to tell you something.'”
During his time on “Friends,” Perry said he was taking 55 Vicodin a day. And over time his addiction increased.
“I didn’t know how to stop,” he said. “If the police came to my house and said ‘If you drink tonight, we’re going to take you to jail,’ I’d start packing. I couldn’t stop because the disease and addiction are progressive. So as you get older. It gets worse and worse.”
The actor said that he has gone to rehab 15 times over the years and has now maintained his sobriety. He didn’t share how long he’s currently sober, but said he counts every day and that the memoir follows him “very safely sober – and away from the active illness of alcoholism and addiction”. came.
He also shared that he has had 14 surgeries on his stomach so far and expressed his gratitude for life.
“It’s a lot of reminders to stay calm,” Perry said. “All I have to do is look down.”
“Everything starts with moderation,” he continued. “Because if you don’t have moderation, you’ll lose everything you put in front of him, so that’s where my restraint is. I’m an extremely grateful man. I’m grateful to be alive, that’s for sure. And that makes me happy.” Get a chance to do anything.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.