Celebrities Who Have Survived Overdose
Demi Lovato
On Tuesday, July 24, 2018, Demi Lovato was hospitalized after an apparent opioid overdose. Following treatment with Narcan, an overdose reversal medication, her condition got stable, and awake and responsive. Demi’s struggles with mental health, addiction, and eating disorders have been well-documented throughout her life. Despite her significant success, she has faced ongoing challenges, as reflected in her latest song “Sober,” where she reveals relapsing into drinking after previously achieving sobriety. Demi Lovato’s experience underscores that drug addiction and overdose can affect anyone, regardless of their level of success, fame, or support network. Many celebrities in the entertainment industry have faced similar battles with overdose, some of whom might surprise you.
Eminem
Eminem, the highly successful rapper, has struggled with painkiller addiction throughout his career, experiencing both rehabilitation and relapse and even facing a near-fatal overdose. In 2007, he nearly died from an accidental overdose of methadone, collapsing on his bathroom floor and ending up in the hospital. Reflecting on that time, Eminem recalls, “My whole month of December leading up to [the overdose], I don’t remember anything. All I remember is being unable to get out of bed.” He later woke up in the hospital, confronting the reality of his situation. Eminem reflects on the severity of the incident, saying, “Had I arrived at the hospital two hours later, I would have died. My organs were shutting down—my liver, kidneys, everything. They didn’t think I was going to make it. My bottom was going to be death.” After this close call, Eminem sought help from rehabilitation professionals and went through detox. His experiences with addiction have deeply influenced his music, particularly his album Recovery, which he dedicated to those struggling, offering a message of hope and perseverance
Brooke Mueller
Brooke Mueller, a media personality and ex-wife of Charlie Sheen, has a well-documented history of drug abuse, reportedly entering rehab 20 times. She has faced multiple overdoses, with two occurring within a six-year period that required hospitalization. Mueller’s overdoses have involved various substances, including crystal meth and Adderall. She shares twin sons with Sheen, who has also faced significant personal struggles, leading to custody disputes. Currently, Mueller is living a sober and more peaceful life in Salt Lake City, Utah, with her sons. Her mother, Moira Fiore, spoke to Entertainment Tonight about Mueller’s progress, stating, “I’m really proud of how well Brooke is doing after her treatment plan and being a full-time mom again. She’s very committed to being the best mom and staying healthy.”
Demi Moore
Demi Moore, an actress, songwriter, and model renowned for her roles in Ghost and Charlie’s Angels, has faced significant challenges with substance abuse throughout her life. Her struggle with addiction began in her teenage years. In the mid-1980s, director Joel Schumacher advised Moore to enter drug and alcohol rehab before shooting St. Elmo’s Fire or risk being fired. During this period, Moore experienced a near-fatal overdose of cocaine, leading to convulsions and an emergency hospital visit. Years later, in 2012, she suffered a similar incident after ingesting nitrous oxide or laughing gas, which resulted in a collapse and seizure, necessitating another hospital visit. Moore also sought treatment for both addiction and anorexia at this time. Addiction has affected her family, with both her mother and stepfather struggling with alcoholism, and this issue has also impacted Demi Moore and her daughters with Bruce Willis. Since these incidents, Moore and her daughters have achieved sobriety, and while addiction remains a lifelong challenge, they support each other in their recovery journeys.
Pink
Pink, the pop star famous for hits like “So What” and “Raise Your Glass,” began her battle with addiction in her early teens, experiencing an overdose at just 15 years old. She has been candid about her past with drugs, revealing that she not only abused but also sold hard drugs such as crystal meth from the age of 13. Despite witnessing many close friends die from heroin overdoses during her youth, Pink persisted through her struggles. Reflecting on her teenage years, she said, “I wasn’t interested in school, sports, hobbies, or any of the other supposedly healthy things kids should be into. I just wanted to get high. I was running wild and heading for a fall.” This fall came swiftly in 1995 when she nearly overdosed on ecstasy, crystal meth, and acid. Pink recalls waking up the next morning, saying, “It wasn’t severe enough to go to the hospital, but I remember getting up off the floor—and that was the last time I ever touched drugs again.” Today, Pink has achieved great success while maintaining sobriety. Her past struggles have inspired her music, including her song “Sober,” which reflects her ongoing battle to stay clean.
Lamar Odom
Lamar Odom, the retired professional basketball player who played a key role in the Los Angeles Lakers’ back-to-back NBA championships, is widely known for his severe overdose experience. His overdose was critically severe, coming extremely close to being fatal, and it was considered a miracle that he survived. Odom was discovered unconscious in a brothel near Las Vegas and was immediately rushed to the hospital. With a mix of drugs in his system, including cocaine and Viagra, he spent four days in a coma and suffered 12 strokes and 2 heart attacks. At the time, Odom admitted to using cocaine daily whenever he had free time. Reflecting on his hospital awakening, he said, “When you’re an addict, nothing can get through to you. I never thought I was going to die. I never thought I’d be in a coma. I didn’t think I had a problem. But then I woke up in a bed with tubes coming out of my mouth—and it was real.” His ex-wife, Khloe Kardashian, was informed that he had only four hours to live. Fortunately, this overdose prompted Odom to seek a path to sobriety. He now maintains that he is sober but acknowledges the ongoing struggle with addiction, stating, “I’m sober now. But it’s an everyday struggle. I have an addiction. I’ll always have an addiction. It never goes away. I mean, I want to get high right now. But I know that I can’t if I want to be here for my children.”
Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne’s near-fatal experience highlights a different aspect of substance abuse, focusing on a lesser-discussed drug. Known for his use of “lean,” a beverage made from cough syrup containing codeine, Lil Wayne has faced severe health consequences from this substance. His history of seizures and epilepsy, dating back to childhood, made him particularly vulnerable to the dangers of codeine. In 2013, Lil Wayne experienced multiple seizures and had his stomach pumped three times to remove excessive amounts of codeine. At one point, his condition became critical, leading to an induced coma. Lil Wayne’s struggle has brought attention to the risks associated with lean, underscoring the dangers of this popular but hazardous drug.
What is Narcan?
The medication administered to resuscitate Demi Lovato was Naloxone, commonly known by its brand name, Narcan. Narcan, like Naltrexone (Vivitrol), is used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, potentially preventing respiratory arrest and death. It works by rapidly blocking the effects of opioids on opioid receptors in the brain. Narcan is usually provided in a home kit designed for easy use, making it accessible for emergency situations.
Narcan acts by displacing opioids from their receptors and binding to these receptors themselves, thereby preventing any further opioid activity. It is available in both injectable and nasal spray forms. The injectable version is administered directly into the muscle, typically in a dose of 1cc, and is most effective when given by someone trained in injection techniques. Narcan should be used in conjunction with rescue breathing and ongoing monitoring to ensure the patient’s safety.
How to Administer Narcan
Narcan in its injectable form is provided in 1mL vials. If you encounter someone who is not breathing, start with one round of rescue breathing before administering Naloxone. Open the vial and draw 1cc of Naloxone into the syringe. Inject the entire dose into a muscle, such as the thigh, buttock, or shoulder. After the injection, continue rescue breathing for 2-3 minutes while monitoring the person’s condition. If breathing does not resume, repeat the process.
For Narcan nasal spray, follow the provided instructions carefully. Before using the nasal spray, perform one round of rescue breathing. Assemble the nasal atomizer, then tilt the person’s head back. Spray half of the Naloxone into one nostril and the other half into the other nostril. If there is no breathing immediately after administration, continue rescue breathing for 2-3 minutes. If there is still no response, you may repeat the nasal spray application.
Addiction is a disease that affects individuals regardless of their background or public image. The experiences of celebrities who have survived overdoses, such as Alec Baldwin, Fantasia Barrino, Burt Reynolds, and Elton John, highlight that even those who appear to have it all may struggle with hidden challenges. Sadly, not everyone survives, as evidenced by the tragic deaths of Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Heath Ledger, and Elvis Presley from accidental overdoses. If you or someone you care about is dealing with addiction or has experienced a near-fatal overdose, there are treatment options available.
Next Steps
At Sunrise Recovery, our dedicated team of highly qualified professionals is committed to supporting your journey to sobriety. We offer a range of services, including outpatient and inpatient rehab, Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), interventions, and detoxification. To discover more about our programs and how we can assist you in achieving the life you aspire to and deserve, contact us today and take the first step toward your recovery.
