“Most people who overcome addiction never even go to therapy.” Thank you, I’ve never heard any medical professional actually say this. I quit drugs by moving far away where I knew nobody and had no connections and did it on my own. People think that’s bad but it’s been over 10 yrs 🎃

When I hear stories like this, I’m always amazed by the amount of abuse the human body can take.

My father got drunk every night for 40 years until he was arrested for DWI in his late 60’s, and he was ordered to do community service at a location where he feared he would be seen by people he knew. That humiliating experience was the best thing that ever happened to him. He tried AA, but ultimately found he was able to go cold turkey on his own. (His marriage had ended, which also helped. 😏) He’s now 96 and in excellent shape physically and cognitively. I’m so grateful that he was able to make such a radical change. 😊

This has a very different feeling one year later. You’ll always be missed, Matthew.

Matthew Perry was incredibly funny on Friends. His line delivery was impeccable. He and Lisa Kudrow were the true standouts of that series.

“There is no guarantee Matthew will gain any more insight so it’s better to tell his story now” wow Dr Grande called it

I read somewhere that Perry once said, "this is how normal people must feel" after being introduced to alcohol. That was exactly what i told myself after consuming alcohol for the first time. I was a really nervous, anxious teen and a couple of beers would calm me down.

I have a friend that almost had it all; Tesla, million dollar house, love and RVs to travel on a whim. Then addiction to drugs made him homeless and living in an ally eating trash. I've bailed him out of crappy situations so many times I lost count. Addiction is no joke.

I’m 10 years sober this January. Not just sober but ended at least a century of alcoholism in my family line. There’s not enough characters left to tell my story but trust me if I can overcome you can too. Listen to your body, your soul. Take your time to get the right help for you not the first thing offered. I find people fail treatment or relapse because the addict had no say or choice in the treatment. Those who actively participate in the planning process have more success.

Continuously clean and sober over 35 years here. Those who relapse repeatedly do not do the deep, courageously introspective work required to process their childhood trauma, per the research. I'm still working on mine daily. It's not a one and done, folks. You can buy the best rehabs, but you can't buy recovery. That has to be earned.

I have been sober for 16 years. AA saved my life. I sorry to hear about Matthew’s struggles with addiction. Most addicts have a comorbidity factor. There’s usually an underlining factor that can cause some people to become addicts. I have lived with fear and depression all my life. Alcohol provided my with some relief from my mental health problems. In theory it was a good idea in reality it was very bad. I hope Matthew can find the underlying cause to his addiction.

To be fair, I’ve never seen Matthew Perry and Batman in the same room at the same time.

Rest easy, with peace and knowing you were loved - Matthew. What a gift to be able to live the same period of time as he.

I was fine with Matthew Perry. Wasn't really interested in his book, but wished him well and hoped he'd have success with his book. Until he said: "River was a beautiful man, inside and out - too beautiful for this world, it turned out. It always seems to be the really talented guys who go down,” Perry wrote. “Why is it that the original thinkers like River Phoenix and Heath Ledger die, but Keanu Reeves still walks among us?” It's bad enough to make such a tasteless comment, but River Phoenix was Keanu Reeves best friend. Can you imagine some heartless ass saying the it's a shame you lived when you best friend died? That's when I hoped his book would bomb. I mean really...what kind of person does that?

Who came back after hearing of him passing away? 😢

He had abandonment issues with his mother. Never resolved.

The lesson- you can’t buy sobriety no matter how many millions one has.

I’ve been sober for two weeks and counting. Wish me luck 🍀

😔 I have been sober now for about 3months. The way I came to understand my struggles is: I tend to low moods. Probably my body doesn't produce as many neurotransmitters (or hormones or whatever). I have some emotional disregulation. I feel negative emotions to deeply and I need to numb it. What has helped me this time around is CBT therapy, addictive voice recognition, and joining sober communities. Im also on antidepressants called SSRIs and, from my understanding, they are not addictive such as the stuff they use in the USA. It is still a mystery to me how Mathew Perry was able to do 10 seasons of Friends and lived to tell the tale. Im very glad he didn't pay the ultimate price. For the person who said Mathew should've get more insight before talking about it... "eff them" Mathew Perry is free to talk about his experience and point of view regardless of where he is in his journey. Maybe by opening up in this way he will find a sober community that works for him. Can this comment BE any longer!? 🤭 Thank you Dr Grande for talking about this and sharing your thoughts 🙏

And now he’s dead.. When you said, ..”there was no guarantee that Matthew might have any more insight in the future.” I think he knew it too.

Rest peacefully Mr. Perry.

All my fellow recovered people, just know you are strong and that I'm legit proud of you.

I grew up with so many guys like Matthew - 'high functioning' with a massive addiction(s) .. with people I know they started to fall apart in their 30s. It's a ticking time bomb.

My father was a functioning alcoholic and held down jobs for years when i was a kid in the 1970s thru late 1980s/early 90s. I always felt my father's drinking came about from losing his father to a car accident when he was about 8-9 years old. Back in the 40s there was no such thing as grief counseling. His widowed mother took him and his younger brother from all that they knew in upstate NY and moved into New York City's Little Italy where he stayed til the 60s. It was a very hard life for them. He told me he began drinking then, as a pre teen/teenager, to deal with the pain of losing his father, the uprooting, etc., and he had no male role models, but i believe he had a lifelong deep depression that if he possibly would've had treated with medicines he might've been able to tackle the alcohol. He finally stopped drinking on his own right around the time my mother passed and we finally started to have a relationship in the early 2000s, could really talk, after years of dysfunction/anger/rage/miserable family life. Then he died due to complications from the drinking/smoking 4 packs a day forever. I wish more people would get help now that it is available for mental health issues or addictions. I loved my father; i never hated him, but i did hate the alcoholic he became when he drank. I send blessings and prayers to everyone who is getting help for, or has gotten help for, their addictions and trying to recover their lives here. And also wishes to those still struggling that they may find a way to reach out for help, take that first step.

I was on heroin 5 years ago, I managed to quit with a mixture of personal determination and moving in with my brother 💪 🙂🙂

I didn't realize that this video is 1year old. He died while trying to get healthy, never recovering. This is a great example of how money and fame won't bring you happiness. RIP

It’s astonishing how addiction is a sickness for some and a character flaw for others. He had support which is a blessing. Glad he’s in a position to help others.

I've been clean for 18 years. I had to change a lot of things in my life including who I hung out and how I dealt with my emotions. I recently quit smoking cigarettes which was possibly more difficult than the hard drugs I once used. For me, not using drugs means being honest with myself. If I bump into someone from my past who I used drugs with and they want to swap phone numbers and catch up for a coffee I'm not going to lie to myself and pretend catching up with that person is just about nostalgic good times, the truth is it's an opportunity to use drugs and hence I don't catch up or associate with drug users because its a risk to my sobriety. I'd love to have had this guys money and resources to help quit using drugs, but I had none of that except a really good counsellor and the reality of becoming a single mum which motivated me to give up drugs and change my life. Becoming a Christian also helped as I had a community to belong to and a moral compass to help with my decision making. Ultimately staying clean is about chosing not to use drugs and doing everything you need to be able to stay off drugs. It's not easy but ut is possible.

Interestingly, Matthew shares his low self-esteem and "never good enough" attitude and how drugs and alcohol helped him feel better. He doesn't share why he felt so terrible about himself and possibly who or what caused those feelings of shame. I guess someone in his past berated, scolded, or never gave him the accolades he deserved as a child. Most people don't become addicted to drugs or alcohol just for the sake of the high. They become addicted because they like the escape from reality or something painful within them. Matthew is sharing he has spent millions of dollars "trying to get sober", instead of sharing what is really going on inside him. Lastly, he comes from a famous family. He will probably not share some of the scars and wounds he carries because of past experiences. As Dr. Grande says, "It's only my opinion of what might be going on".

Wow you posted this almost 12 months to the day before he passed. How scary

RIP 💔 He had mommy issues. Got into addictions, fear of rejection brought trust issues, possibly had difficulties making meaningful relationships. Spiralled into addictions. Also he wanted to be famous badly, but he wasn’t confident or had anxiety issues that’s where substance dependency increased.

Thank you for your video Dr. Grande. It’s very informative and I learn so much. I was married to my ex husband who for all his life suffered from alcoholism. As a wife, friend, and a mother to his children of a person suffering from substance abuse I led a life I wish upon no one. It has become somewhat easier now that we don’t live under the same roof but having to share children together it’s a constant presence in my life to this day. He’s the same age as Mathew Perry and like him has attended many programs throughout his life but non effective enough to help him quit for good. I think for some people unfortunately it’s a “demon” they will fight till the end.

RIP Mathew, Thank you for the Laughs and Thank you Dr Grande 🇮🇪

I named my cat Chandler after Matthew Perry❤

His book will definitely take us inside of the mind of an active addict. He hasn't really had any time "looking in the rearview mirror" to give any sobriety wisdom or insights, but he'll definitely give us all a look at the darkness and lies of addiction. Hoping he continues to make progress with his attempts at abstinence. Substance abuse and addiction are terrible for the user and those they are close to.

Quite eerie watching this just one year on. Thank you for your thoughtful analysis, Dr. Grande. Hope you rest easy M.P knowing your courage to be fully honest was done just in time and will have ripple effects of hope for those struggling for decades to come.

Keith Morrison is one of my favorite narrators. I didn't know he was Perry's stepfather.

I’m curious to know your updated analysis since his death. Also, that is interesting how it is true what you said that he had always said that it was his disease and not his choice but yet he could stop taking drugs or alcohol for show purposes or because of his colon surgery. Never noticed that before until you pointed that out. Regardless, may he rest in peace. 😢

10/30/22 - Thank you Dr. Grande. A person must really want to change. My 4 siblings and I were raised to fail in life; all of us were provided alcohol, cigarettes and sex by the time we were 12 - 16 . My father needed to be superior so crushing his own kids was very satisfying to him. All of us had alcohol issues and smoked. All of us except the youngest have kicked the bad habits. I did it cold turkey when CoVid 19 hit… I found the event very sobering!❤

When I worked in Burbank as a make up artist one of my friends said that she went to one of Matthews meetings where he spoke on his addiction and she said that it helped her immensely and she had been clean and sober ever since❤ I think insight from people that have been through experiences can sometimes provide the tools that are needed. For example here on KZfaq I’m healing from my codependency with narcissist by watching videos from aware Narcissist, understanding why they do what they do has brought closure to my journey. Thank you for finally doing this video on Matthew I know we have been asking this of you for quite some time🙏

A colon explosion sounds really bad!

RIP Matthew. I hope you have found peace.

Looks like his bad behavior finally caught up with him. He was a talented man but you can't abuse your body with years of drug use and not expect some deadly outcome.

I don't need a reason to drink.. Once I drink, I don't stop until I end up in hospital. Antabuse saves me every day. Not god, AA or therapy. Took me twenty years to get here, and I'm lucky to be alive and healthy.

Every substance user I've ever known also has a mental health issue. Some hide it better than others.

I just decided to get sober and have been clean for a little over 2 months now. My drug of choice is heavy marijuana use and alcohol. I’ve never felt better in my life and finally feel like I’m able to be the person I know I was meant to be. Started with heavy marijuana use at age 15, I am not 32. It’s been 17 years of daily use of marijuana and heavy daily use for the last 7 years. I’m so grateful for the support around me. There is a lot of work and healing to be done. Finally feeling excited for the future though.

Here from 2023 RIP! Gone before your time.

55 Vicodin a day? Vicodin has acetaminophen in it, you'd destroy your liver.

I’m sober 14 years through AA and a higher power. I have friends with 50 years of recovery through the program. It often works for people who want it, not necessarily those who need it.

Rest In Peace Matthew 🕊️🤍🕯️

I just saw you did do another video on Matthew Perry. Thanks! I'm going to watch that now.

R.I.P. Matthew Perry 🙏

He hasnt been sober long enough to be able to give advice, His book is just another ego trip, now that he has "it all fiigured out". Ive been sober thirty years and dont have all the answers !

I was addicted to friends growing up. All of the actors/actresses played their characters to perfection . Matthew is in my prayers. I screamed at " can this relationship BE anymore over" 😂😂😂😂☠️☠️☠️

_"... massive colon failure. He described it as an explosion. ... in a coma for two weeks..."_ Could not imagine that was a real thing!

When people imply that because they and or many others have overcome addiction on their own others should be able as weĺl it really, realy frustrates me. Well people and circumstances are different. I remember a woman who said her husband took a drink his whole life was not an alcoholic(truth) but her siblings who drank a lot were weak. I wonder how it feels to be so judgmental.

It's a tragedy when a life is wasted. He had incredible opportunities that were lost.

Great analysis, as always! The insight about people just clicking with certain drugs but not others is super interesting. It makes me wonder if the drug one really "clicks" with is actually treating some underlying brain software glitch, albeit at a disproportionate expense to the body as a whole.

Q Addiction demands "one final payment." Someone once said. 😢 Its 1 year later. The news. MATTHEW PERRY DIED. His death is currently under investigation 🔎 as he supposedly drowned in his jacuzzi. Q ❤

One of my favorite KZfaq channels right here! Love the content

Wow, I had no idea he had an ostomy! Sounds like he had a very scary medical event w his colon and I feel awful he went thru so much trauma and pain. 😔 Having a colostomy is a very challenging adjustment and often viewed as a negative thing. However, It's an amazing life saving surgery, and it's incredible the body can thrive without several feet of organ. I have an ileostomy and I'm grateful everyday for it, even though I have my share of complications with it. I hope he's doing ok.

Dr. Grande, You truly shine on this topic and presented it with great sensitivity towards both subjects: Matt Perry and addiction. Nice work💯

I noticed he was a stepchild though and he gave a CLASSIC alcoholic statement. Never knew if he was quite good enough, or fit in exactly.

I think the “disease” of addiction is nonlinear. During times of sobriety, addictive behavior can manifest through things like spending, sex and food.

I am a recovering alcoholic, sober 4 months and never looking back. I am so thankful for CBT and treatment, which let me see that I was using to cover and numb my emotions. I knew that was what I was doing, but having to confront life and reality was scary and it got easier to opt out. Even what should have been and would have been good things, the need to use as a motivator got worse. I have met many addicts of all sorts, and they tend to be the most sensitive and emotional people who struggle with dealing with emotional pain. Help is out there and your life will be so so much better ❤

10:13 - Truth! he ultimately did pay the ultimate price

I started listening to his story (audiobook) and the longer his narrating went on, I saw A LOT of similarities to one of my exes, who suffers from Borderline Personality Disorder and alcohol and drug abuse. He, too was in hospital, b/c of pancreatitis from drinking way too much. I'm pretty happy, we ended the relationship - it was a constant drama.

You only need to look at him to see the damage it has done to him

I am a psychologist and addiction is my area of work. I have been doing it for around 3 or 4 years now. In my experience, addiction starts often as a choice but later it DISGUISES as a choice. Some addicts can see it's not a choice and recognize that they can't stop taking the substance but most others, mainly those that still haven't experienced an overdose or other hard consequences, can't see it. They start creating an impressive structure of explanations and beliefs that justify their "choice" to keep taking the drug. But I think that's the drug getting inside their mind, and taking control. Long term addicts dedicate their entire life to the substance they are addicts to. They take dozens of hours weekly to prepare the consume and to think the ways they are gonna save it, planning future doses, etc, it's a slow process to get there but as the drug takes control they lose their power almost completely. They lose the ability to choose. They can't. They think they can, often, but they can't do it. "The drug chooses", so to say. That's why to keep them in check we have to create plans that completely suppress the drug, not from taking but from their minds. And that's hard and arguably impossible. That doesn't mean that it's impossible to rehabilitate a drug addict, far from that, they can regain a lot of control over their lives... as long as you can keep them far enough from the substance of addiction. But what I mean is that even if they don't consume the drug again in all their lives, they will be very weakened against it, it will be forever a huge danger. They (probably) will never go back to be the same they used to be, the drug is waiting. It's a fight for their entire lives. That's why I say that nobody, NOBODY can defeat the drug alone. Everybody needs as much support as possible from friends, or family. If there are none of them, I don't know. My prognostic would be very, very negative. I am talking about the so called "hard drugs" in my country, like cocaine, but beware because my opinion of drugs like tobacco or alcohol is not much better. Even if society accepts them. A life without drugs may be unrealistic (we have been smoking longer than history), but we should teach our youth how to remain in control instead of pretending that there are good and bad drugs. Drugs aren't good or bad, they are dangerous, and the best way to win against danger is getting to understand it.

Im still watching your speculations on 'Friends The Reunion' and 'The Grinch' over and over again, because they're the rare occasions where we can listen to Dr.Grande's analyses on funny, happy events! Matthew Perry suffered a lot, I wish only the best and healthy life style for him. And may I suggest a case real quick?? I really want to hear your take on 'Rudolf the Reindeer', it's been bothering me ever since I was 4yo, I don't think Santa and others apologized to him property, for making fun of him. Could you plz consider doing the video someday, I know it's silly but I also think it's important to some people. Thank you Dr.Grande for for reading this!☺️💙❤️

I have so many thoughts... I became addicted to a substance when I was 19. I lost a year of my life. I quit cold turkey. That was 18 1/2 years ago. I have had 3 slips. Each time just reinforced that I am addicted and a junky. I will always be. I had used many things that just were fun. Then I used "the thing". Something in my brain clicked, that was the thing. I hate the actual drug, it's absolutely awful. I like being able to reach other addicts and give hope. Getting off junk can and will happen if you want to do it. You have to be ok with the boredom of sobriety and then you will find happiness in life.

Friends aren't like they used to be. I blame Social Media.

what happened to MP ? He grew up with no discipline or guidance, no father

"Recovery " is about more than just discontinuing the use of substances.

My first sons name is Alex because I saw Mathew’s movie with Salma. I love that name ever since I heard it.

People use alcohol,cocaine etc for filling a hole in their sole.They just want to be happy and freed from the misery lifes throws at you.And life doesn't care if you are rich,poor or having a high Intelect or big talent.Getting rid of a adiction takes courage,hardship and losing friends sometimes. Stay strong fellow travellers .

Thank you for the second video today, Dr. Grande!💕 Substance addition is a prison that deeply affects not only the person with the addition but also family and friends. I hope he can get the help he needs to stay sober. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Dr. Grande!❤

Have been trying to take breaks from social media here and there, but I always miss your content the most! What an excellent video this was, Dr. Grande! Shocking just how deep his addictions are!

I had absolutely no idea that he is a fellow Canadian or that that legend Keith Morrison is his step dad

I don’t know about working to make Friends, but if one was forced to watch Friends I’m sure they would turn to all sorts of substances to escape the torture.

I can relate to the clicking with a certain drug so well. For me it was ecstasy. The first time I did e I felt like a part of me that had been missing was finally found. I felt like I finally knew what complete and total happiness was when I took that drug. Perhaps because I felt depressed most of my life this is why it felt so right. I did it a lot of times after the first time but it was never quite the same. Still good but never as great. Luckily I moved a couple years later and didn't really have access to it anymore, likely stopping a full-blown addiction to the drug.

This video - one of my favorites! The empathy and educational value are high! The tone is just right also! Thanks!

There are a few that simply can’t quit whatever it is they are addicted to. Unfortunately it catches up with them eventually-looks fade, ability to function decreases, love interests do not last, friends leave, etc. (My opinion only.).

Dr. Grande, thank you so much for reincorporating big 5 personality breakdowns into your videos. It was one of my favorite parts of your old videos and it really puts the actions of the person(s) of interest into perspective.

What you said about ppl taking a single drug and it altering their life is very sobering (no pun intended). I didn’t realize it was that easy to become addicted

I recall the media announcing circa 1999 that he was in treatment for Vicodin and alcohol addiction. I did in fact notice Matthew Perry appeared intoxicated on the tv show in the late 90's so that announcement simply confirmed it. Some even say he looked intoxicated in the promo for the reunion show in the last year. It's a blessing for him he has the money to battle this disease. My sincere prayers go out to him and members of his support group.

Very good video, even more informative than the one made a few days ago in the wake of Matthew Perry's death.

Matthew's book comes out on November 1st, which is, Dia de los Muertos, [Day of the Dead] in Mexico.

Your commentary on this case highlights how complex addiction truly is! After years of study and experimentation, even the "experts" are divided on the causes and the treatments. I think there is no "one size fits all" answer. My brother became addicted to alcohol as a teenager. He was able to function in stealth mode for most of his adult life, fooling even family members. It all caught up with him as the poison shortened his life, and he died at age 48. Reading some of his journals later, we found actual "love notes" he wrote to alcohol. He could not imagine living without it. Even bad consequences, like losing his license, losing his job, and finally losing his health, could not convince him to give it up and seek help. He was an incredibly talented, sweet, educated and intelligent man, and it broke our hearts to lose him so prematurely. Obviously, alcohol provided him with something that the rest of his life could not. I hope further study can help us finally get the answers we need to fight addiction successfully. The collateral damage done when a person is an addict, and the cost to society as well as to the individual, is so high. Thanks for your insights- again!❤

Thank you for your insight into addiction, it is difficult to understand for outsiders

Addicts get so much attention and are catered to, but people in chronic pain aren't even acknowledged. Why is that?

How did he survive the acetaminophen in 50 Vicodin?

Thanks DR.GRANDE, your videos are informative.

Good evening again, Dr. Grande😊

I read once that the personality types that seek fame, and want fame really bad, are also, often, usually the personality types that, if or when they get fame, don't handle it very well.

Maybe "60 to 70 mishaps" are "only" to Matthew because there was a time when he used drugs every day, as would be common for an addiction to narcotics. When compared to using every single day, what would be 365 times a year, or 7300 times in 20 years, 60-70 times in a period of 20 years appears not much. Not my opinion, I just try to figure what he may have meant with that statement.

It's amazing he's still alive 😯

It’s insane to think how many painkillers he would pop before each excellent acting performance. Sooo highly functional

Interesting analysis, Dr. Grande. And I agree that a person with so many relapses can hardly be classified as an expert or authority on drug abuse. And, since he compares himself to "Batman," how many live has he really saved? His own, perhaps?

This was different and really interesting! I especially loved your insightful takeaways about what we can learn from this.