Matthew Perry's drug battle drove him to stealing pills from open houses
Matthew Perry once recalled that he would sometimes "steal" prescription pills from open houses and "fake migraines" in order to feed his addiction some years ago.
The late actor - who was found dead, aged 54, earlier this week, having reportedly drowned - had been open about his substance abuse in the past. This included discussing it in his memoir Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing.
Whilst promoting the book last year, Matthew opened up in an interview about the lengths that he went to in order to get hold of Vicodin pills. He also spoke about wanting to share his story to raise awareness and support others.
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Matthew Perry spoke about experiencing substance abuse in an interview that was broadcast last year (Youtube/@ABC News)Whilst speaking to Diane Sawyer in an ABC News interview, Matthew shared that at one point during his experience with substance abuse he was taking 55 Vicodin pills a day. He was asked how he obtained that quantity of the medication.
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The actor commented: "I did all sorts of things. Bunch of doctors, fake migraines and all that stuff." He added: "And I guess the weirdest thing I did was; on Sundays, I would go to open houses and go to the bathrooms in the open house and see what pills they had in there and steal them."
Matthew - best known for playing Chandler Bing on Friends - said he believed homeowners wouldn't have suspected it was him given his role. He said: "I think they thought 'well there's no way that Chandler came in and stole from us'."
Matthew had also spoken about having experienced alcohol abuse over the course of his life too. It was stated in the interview that, as of last year, he'd been to thousands of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and around 15 rehabs.
He explained that he was sharing his story in a bid to 'help' others going through similar experiences (Youtube/@ABC News)During the interview, he also recalled being hospitalised amid "intense pain" in his stomach, which is said to have been the result of his drug use. Matthew said that his colon "exploded" and he ended up in a coma for two weeks.
The actor - who once said that he had to wait until he was "away from the active disease of alcoholism and addiction" before writing his memoir - said during the interview, which was broadcast last year, that he finally felt "okay and like [he had] some strength" following years of substance abuse.
He suggested whilst promoting his memoir that he'd opened up about his struggles to help others. He said during the interview that "it's not fun to talk about this stuff" but added: "I know it's gonna help people to talk about it."
Discussing the platform he had, Matthew said at the time: "For some reason, it's obviously because I was on Friends, more people will listen to me so I've got to take advantage of that and I've gotta help as many people as I can."
A clip from an interview - believed to be from Q with Tom Power last year - that's been shared on social media this week shows Matthew saying: "[The] best thing about me, bar none, is if somebody comes up to me and says 'I can't stop drinking. Can you help me?' I can say yes and follow up and do it."
He is heard adding: "I've said this for a long time; when I die, I don't want Friends to be the first thing that's mentioned. I want that to be the first thing that's mentioned, and I'm gonna live the rest of my life proving that."
Frank offers confidential advice about drugs and addiction (email [email protected], message 82111 or call 0300 123 6600) or the NHS has information about getting help. If you are struggling with alcohol abuse or addiction, advice and support can be found at alcoholchange.org.uk
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