# Matthew Perry from Friends dies, RIP **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** celebrity-death\ **Created:** [October 29, 2023, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matthew-perry-from-friends-dies-rip/992250 "2023-10-29T00:34:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matthew-perry-from-friends-dies-rip/992250/101 "2023-12-16T07:49:12Z")
In his book he talks about needing to take fifty-something OxyContin pills every single day. I can’t even imagine. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matthew-perry-from-friends-dies-rip/992250/102 "2023-12-16T07:56:34Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > That level of addiction is beyond my comprehension. I know (or knew) lots of people who suffer that. They’re constitutionally incapable of being honest with themselves, or so I was taught. A building I frequent has a bulletin board in the lobby covered with death notices. Some of the people died sober, some not. They’re all sad, but the former can be a comfort. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matthew-perry-from-friends-dies-rip/992250/103 "2023-12-16T16:35:24Z")
> [@Stratocaster](#): > > I know he’s dead either way, but I was hoping if he had to die, he died clean and sober. Totally understand, but it sounds like the Ketamine infusions were medically prescribed (from the linked article): > Perry, who rose to stardom playing Chandler Bing in the US sitcom Friends, was reportedly receiving ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety before his death, Variety reported. Which we could choose to view as different from a long-term and horrible prior pattern of addiction. ---
**Author:** ![Drum\_God](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drum_god/32/44_2.png) [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matthew-perry-from-friends-dies-rip/992250/104 "2023-12-16T17:00:04Z")
The CNN article I read said that his last prescribed ketamine infusion was two weeks prior to his death. Ketamine from that treatment would not still be in his body. The ketamine they found must have come from somewhere else. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matthew-perry-from-friends-dies-rip/992250/105 "2023-12-16T17:47:20Z")
Yes, that’s what I heard. The ketamine in his system was not from his medical care provider. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matthew-perry-from-friends-dies-rip/992250/106 "2023-12-16T18:16:56Z")
> [@Drum\_God](#): > > The CNN article I read said that his last prescribed ketamine infusion was two weeks prior to his death > [@Stratocaster](#): > > The ketamine in his system was not from his medical care provider. Yeah, well … shit: > According to the report, Perry reportedly was on ketamine infusion therapy and had a ketamine infusion one-and-a-half weeks prior to his death. However, the medical examiner concluded that the ketamine in his system could not have been from that infusion, as ketamine has a half-life of three to four hours or less. [**SOURCE**](https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Wellness/ketamine-therapy-after-matthew-perrys-cause-death-announced/story?id=105705830) ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2023, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matthew-perry-from-friends-dies-rip/992250/107 "2023-12-17T04:05:24Z")
> [@Stratocaster](#): > > The ketamine in his system was not from his medical care provider. It’s called Special K when bought on the street. > **[Special K in the clubs? Controlled substance ketamine makes its way into...](https://www.unthsc.edu/newsroom/story/special-k-in-the-clubs-controlled-substance-ketamine-makes-its-way-into-nightlife-scenes/)** > > Dr. Andrew Yockey studies the background and health effects of the controlled substance ketamine. Incidentally, I’m not gloating, as that would be in very poor taste. But > [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > > [@Moriarty](#): > > > > > [@DCnDC](#): > > > > > > No drugs found at scene, but a history of use. > > > > If I was a betting man, I’d guess a relapse. > > You would guess a relapse based on what exactly? As DCnDC said, no drugs found at the scene. I was likely correct. Then again, as somebody who has also struggled with drug addiction my entire adult life (although never to Perry’s level), it wasn’t a hard thing to imagine. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2023, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matthew-perry-from-friends-dies-rip/992250/108 "2023-12-17T04:15:47Z")
Probably a pipe dream, but I really wish they would nail the dealer who was selling to him. Perry was responsible for his own actions (and had more resources than 99% of addicts to get help), but I cannot fathom the person that would keep selling drugs to a man who was clearly killing himself. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2023, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matthew-perry-from-friends-dies-rip/992250/109 "2023-12-17T04:41:55Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > I was likely correct. > > Then again, as somebody who has also struggled with drug addiction my entire adult life (although never to Perry’s level), it wasn’t a hard thing to imagine. Yes, sadly, when an addict in recovery dies young, a relapse is a safe bet. I can relate, believe me. I hoped he was sober, but too often that’s not how it plays out. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2023, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matthew-perry-from-friends-dies-rip/992250/110 "2023-12-17T15:50:47Z")
> **[Matthew Perry’s final days were a mix of nicotine lollipops, ketamine and...](https://pagesix.com/2023/12/16/entertainment/matthew-perrys-final-days-were-a-mix-of-nicotine-lollipops-ketamine-and-testosterone-shots-that-left-him-angry-and-mean/)** > > Perry died on Oct. 28 at the age of 54 from the “acute effects of ketamine,” but he had several other drugs in his system as well. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2023, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matthew-perry-from-friends-dies-rip/992250/111 "2023-12-17T21:44:13Z")
Tamoxifen, referenced and spelled incorrectly in thr article, is a long-term medication for estrogen-receptive cancer, not a weight-loss drug. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2023, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matthew-perry-from-friends-dies-rip/992250/112 "2023-12-18T03:47:12Z")
> [@susan](#): > > Tamoxifen, referenced and spelled incorrectly in thr article, is a long-term medication for estrogen-receptive cancer So it blocks estrogen? He was likely using that, in combination with testosterone injections (one side effect of taking testosterone is that your body converts some of it to estrogen), to try to get in shape. It’s the Hollywood way. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2023, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matthew-perry-from-friends-dies-rip/992250/113 "2023-12-18T03:50:52Z")
It’s a SERM (selective estrogen reuptake inhibitor). It blocks some estrogen receptors but not others. I suppose someone might take it to try to shift the estrogen-testosterone ratio, but I haven’t heard of that and it has some pretty lousy side effects, including weight gain. ETA: > Possible side effects for men taking Tamoxifen include headaches, nausea, hot flashes, skin rash, fatigue, sexual dysfunction, and weight and mood changes. –breastcancer.org ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2023, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matthew-perry-from-friends-dies-rip/992250/114 "2023-12-18T05:35:01Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > Probably a pipe dream, but I really wish they would nail the dealer who was selling to him. Perry was responsible for his own actions (and had more resources than 99% of addicts to get help), but I cannot fathom the person that would keep selling drugs to a man who was clearly killing himself. Isn’t this the business model of the tobacco industry? ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2023, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matthew-perry-from-friends-dies-rip/992250/115 "2023-12-18T06:09:42Z")
I can’t think of any reason why a man would take tamoxifen, unless he was having some kind of condition where he needed the estrogen he does have blocked, and it certainly isn’t used for weight loss. As for the dealer selling to a known addict, he obviously found out who would sell to him as long as the cash was green. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2023, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matthew-perry-from-friends-dies-rip/992250/116 "2023-12-18T14:58:49Z")
I’ve done a little reafibg and it looks like body builders sometimes use tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors to enhance the effects of steroids. As someone who has to take tamoxifen, I can’t imagine doing so if there were an alternative, but there’s a lot about Perry’ chemical life that I’d never do. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2023, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matthew-perry-from-friends-dies-rip/992250/117 "2023-12-18T17:27:12Z")
^ ‘reading,’ but I couldn’t edit in time. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2023, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matthew-perry-from-friends-dies-rip/992250/118 "2023-12-18T18:06:41Z")
I just thought reafibg was some sort of medical database. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2023, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matthew-perry-from-friends-dies-rip/992250/119 "2023-12-19T01:03:24Z")
Nah, it’s a band name. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2023, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matthew-perry-from-friends-dies-rip/992250/120 "2023-12-19T01:29:51Z")
Reafibg is what you have with your Covfefe. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matthew-perry-from-friends-dies-rip/992250.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matthew-perry-from-friends-dies-rip/992250.md?page=7)