In Memoriam: Lost to Addiction and Mental Illness

As 2014 comes to a close, we’d like to remember the following actors and musicians whom we lost to drug addiction or related mental illness this past year.  Philip Seymour Hoffman—Widely considered one of the best dramatic actors of all time, Hoffman was found dead in his New York apartment on February 2 from a heroin overdose. The 46-year-old Academy Award-winning actor was in recovery from substance abuse for 23 years before relapsing. He was known for his roles in The Hunger Games, Almost Famous, Moneyball, The Big Lebowski, and Twister. He is survived by a son and two daughters. Peaches Geldof—Geldof was a British model, journalist, and television host. She died April 7 of a heroin overdose at the age of 25. She is survived by her husband and two small children. When Geldof was 11 years old, her mother died of a heroin overdose. DJ Rashad—Rashad Harden, known as DJ Rashad, was a Chicago-based electronic musician, producer, and DJ. Harden died of an accidental drug overdose on April 26 at the age of 34. Heroin, cocaine, and alprazolam were found in his system. He leaves behind a young son. Robin Williams—Williams, a beloved comedic and dramatic actor, died by suicide in his home on August 11. Alcohol and illegal drugs were not involved, according to the statement from the coroner’s office.  Williams had a well-publicized addiction to cocaine and alcohol in the 1980s, and although he experienced periods of relapse, he was able to remain off of drugs and alcoho...
Source: NIDA Drugs and Health Blog - Category: Addiction Authors: Source Type: blogs