Friends Star Matthew Perry Opens Up About His Addiction

In 1997, during the height of his TV show Friends’ popularity, Matthew Perry enrolled in a residential program for addiction. At the time, Perry had been struggling with an opioid addiction. Despite his success, Perry wasn’t happy. Even after achieving significant success, one might still feel unhappy.

Matthew Perry, one of the stars of the TV sitcom Friends, spent 1994 to 2004 playing the role of Chandler Bing. Despite playing a goofy and zany character on TV, Matthew Perry has dealt with significant darkness behind the scenes. For years, Perry dealt with a substance use disorder. While much of this was kept out of the limelight at the time, Perry has been more forthcoming in recent years about discussing his struggles. In a recent interview with OK! Magazine, the television and film star, opened up about his difficulty with substances.

Everything changed for Perry after simple medical procedures. He first tried Vicodin following wisdom teeth removal, then again after a jet ski accident. Those prescription pills quickly numbed not just physical pain, but the emotional emptiness he carried inside.

By 1997, right at the height of Friends' massive popularity, Perry checked into a 28-day residential rehab program to break free from opioid dependence.

Despite his rising stardom, Perry felt profoundly unhappy. The laughs from audiences couldn't fill the void. His weight plummeted over 20 pounds, first blamed on pancreatitis but later tied to opioid effects, stress, and signs of an eating disorder.

Four years later, in 2001, things worsened. He entered treatment again, this time for polysubstance dependence, abusing amphetamines, alcohol, and even methadone, a drug meant to aid recovery.

Shockingly, Perry later admitted he blacked out entire years of filming Friends, unable to remember key moments of his career. This is the reality of so-called "functional addicts": they hold down high-profile jobs while losing control of their lives.

Prescription opioids drive the US crisis today. In 2017 alone, they caused over 47,600 deaths. Fentanyl packs 50-100 times morphine's punch, far stronger than heroin. Many believe Rx pills are "safer" than street drugs. This is the wrong perception, because they hook fast.

Functional addicts deny the longest. Steady paychecks and polished looks scream "fine." Reality hits when control slips. Perry stayed quiet for years, but now shares to wake others up.

Addiction is tied to traits like anxiety, eating disorders, and mental health gaps. Perry links his addictive personality to deeper pain.

Today, he guards sobriety smartly: close friends (co-stars included), trigger avoidance, doctor check-ins, family time away from Hollywood chaos.

Recent interviews show his push: Get help early, no matter your status. Humility opens doors. Perry proves openness saves lives.

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If you feel that you have the characteristics of an addictive personality, even if you’re not a hotshot Hollywood celebrity, there’s a high likelihood that you need support. Sober living homes can help people to develop the skills, social support system, and coping tools they need to remain sober. Perhaps more importantly, though, they help people live meaningful and joyful lives in sobriety.

Design for Recovery's LA all-male sober homes turn stories like Perry's into triumphs. Daily peer accountability kills denial. Life skills workshops cover job hunts, healthy boundaries, and goal chasing. 24/7 substance-free rules plus weekly check-ins tackle cravings head-on.

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