Matthew Perry's Journey: Battling Addiction and Championing Sobriety

Matthew Perry has always been open about his struggles following his rise to fame as Chandler Bing in Friends. In a 2002 interview with The New York Times, Perry spoke about the initial excitement and euphoria of becoming famous, comparing it to being at Disneyland. However, he soon realized that fame did not bring lasting fulfillment or solve any personal issues. Perry's decision to get sober was motivated by a genuine fear for his own life, rather than a voluntary choice.

Perry developed an addiction to Vicodin following a jet ski accident in 1997. This addiction eventually resulted in alcohol abuse, leading to frequent hangovers at work. In 2000, he was hospitalized for pancreatitis caused by his alcohol abuse.

After undergoing detox, Perry often experienced trembling and perspiration on set. The season 6 finale of "Friends," titled "The One with the Proposal," aired in May 2000. Five months later, the season 7 premiere, "The One With Monica's Thunder," aired. However, the storyline continued from the same day, causing fans to notice Perry's significant physical change during the break.

Full timeline:

- In the following year, he asked for help, but his path to recovery remained challenging.

- Perry openly shared his experiences and challenges in his memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, published in 2022.

- Tragically, Perry passed away at the age of 54 in October 2023, apparently due to drowning.

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Matthew Perry’s Ups and Downs Through the Years: From Overcoming Addiction to Opening a Sober House

Matthew Perry never hesitated to discuss his struggles following his rise to fame as Chandler Bing in Friends. In 2002, one year after achieving sobriety, he revealed to The New York Times, "When [fame] happens, it's like being in Disneyland. It felt incredible for about eight months, like I had finally made it and had no worries. But then I realized it didn't bring any real fulfillment or fill any voids in my life." Perry candidly explained, "I didn't choose sobriety because I wanted to. I chose it out of fear that I would die the next day."

Perry's addiction began following a jet ski accident in 1997 when he developed a dependency on Vicodin. This eventually escalated to alcohol abuse, resulting in frequent hangovers at work. In 2000, he was hospitalized for pancreatitis caused by his alcohol abuse.

Following the incident, the actor experienced symptoms of detox, including trembling and sweating on set. The season 6 finale of Friends, titled "The One with the Proposal," aired in May 2000. The show returned with the season 7 premiere, "The One With Monica's Thunder," after a five-month hiatus. Despite the storyline continuing from where it left off, fans couldn't help but notice the significant changes in Perry's appearance during the break.

Scroll down to view the complete timeline:

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1997

A Vicodin dependency resulted in excessive drinking. In 1997, Perry sought treatment for the first time, participating in a 28-day program at the Hazelden center in Minnesota. However, his sobriety was short-lived.

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2000

In May 2000, the actor from 17 Again was admitted to the hospital for a period of two weeks due to pancreatitis caused by excessive alcohol consumption. By the autumn of that same year, he underwent detoxification while working on the set of Friends. During the break between seasons 6 and 7, his physical appearance underwent a noticeable transformation.

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2001

In February 2001, with less than two weeks remaining for the filming of Serving Sara, Perry made the ultimate decision to seek assistance, leading to a two-month production hiatus. Reflecting on that crucial moment, he shared with The New York Times, "Everything's clear for one split second. I realized I must intervene and rescue myself. Without delay, I dialed the individuals who were eager to lend their support."

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2002

After spending two and a half months in a private rehab center, Perry was finally able to complete his work on Serving Sara and resume his role in Friends. Additionally, he dedicated his attention to self-improvement. In 2002, he participated in several interviews, where he documented his journey to recovery and his eventual achievement of a healthier state.

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2011

"I am currently preparing to embark on a one-month journey dedicated to nurturing my sobriety and furthering my progress in recovery," remarked Perry in a formal statement back in 2011. "Feel free to indulge in amusement at my expense on the vast expanse of the World Wide Web."

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2013

Two years later, the individual from Massachusetts established the Perry House, a facility for men in Malibu seeking sobriety. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he reflected on his journey, acknowledging both the challenges and achievements he encountered. "What sets me apart is my ability to assist individuals struggling with alcoholism," he mentioned. He further emphasized his willingness to help by affirming, "Yes, I can guide you through the process."

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2018

In 2018, the Go On alum spent three months in the hospital and underwent surgery to repair a gastrointestinal perforation.

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2021

The cast of Friends, after a one-year delay caused by the pandemic, finally reunited on screen for the first time in 17 years. Ben Winston, the director of Friends: The Reunion, praised Perry's performance and expressed his disappointment in unkind comments directed towards him. Winston enjoyed working with Perry, highlighting his comedic talent and clever one-liners in the show. Overall, he felt grateful and fortunate to have the opportunity to direct Perry in such a special project.

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2021

In July 2021, he shared a rare candid photo via Instagram, showing off a huge smile. "Happy days," Perry captioned the still.

Credit: Courtesy of Matthew Perry/Instagram

2022

"After so much has been written about me in the past, I believe it is about time for people to hear directly from me. My life has been a roller coaster, with extreme highs and devastating lows. Against all odds, however, I have managed to survive and share my story, although there were moments when it seemed impossible. Every detail can be found within these pages, although I do apologize that it is not presented in the form of a pop-up book," Perry tweeted as he announced his memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.

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2022

In anticipation of the upcoming publication of his memoir Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing, the former Odd Couple actor candidly discussed the life-threatening incident he encountered at the age of 49 when his colon ruptured due to excessive opioid consumption.

Perry informed PEOPLE in October that the medical professionals had informed his family about his slim 2 percent chance of survival. He was placed on an ECMO machine, known as a Hail Mary, as it takes over the functions of the heart and lungs. Perry emphasized that these health challenges, along with the 14 stomach surgeries and resulting scars, act as constant reminders for him to maintain sobriety.

According to the individual, their therapist imparted, "If you ever contemplate taking Oxycontin again, consider the potential consequence of living the remainder of your life with a colostomy bag." Subsequently, a moment of clarity ensued, prompting a change in their desire for Oxycontin.

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2023

Perry died at age 54 from an apparent drowning after law enforcement found him passed out in a jacuzzi.