Matthew Perry’s Deadly Ketamine Addiction: $55,000 a Month and 6 to 8 Shots Daily
On August 16, 2024, shocking details emerged surrounding the tragic death of “Friends” star Matthew Perry, who died from a ketamine overdose at his Pacific Palisades home on October 28, 2023. Perry, who had battled addiction for years, was revealed to be injecting ketamine, a powerful anesthetic with psychedelic properties, six to eight times a day in the weeks leading up to his death.
Court documents released on Thursday indicated that Perry had been spiraling into a severe addiction to ketamine, which he initially used as part of a treatment for depression and anxiety. However, it wasn’t the prescribed doses that led to his demise. Instead, Perry sought out unsupervised doses, developing a dependency that had spiraled out of control.
Federal prosecutors have charged five people in connection with Perry’s death, including his personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, and Dr. Salvador Plasencia, one of the doctors accused of supplying the drug. Iwamasa, who had no medical training, admitted to injecting Perry multiple times a day, following instructions from Plasencia.
In the court filings, it was revealed that Perry had spent over $55,000 on ketamine in just one month before his death, with payments funneled through his assistant. On the day of his death, Perry was injected with three doses of ketamine within six hours, the last dose administered just 40 minutes before he was found face down in his pool.
Plasencia, who has been charged with conspiracy to distribute ketamine, allegedly continued supplying Perry with the drug even after the actor exhibited severe adverse reactions. Despite knowing Perry’s condition, Plasencia provided additional vials of ketamine, instructing Iwamasa on how to administer the injections.
Perry’s battle with addiction was no secret. In his 2022 memoir and various interviews, he spoke openly about his struggles, expressing regret that his legacy would be tied to his addiction rather than his acting career or efforts to help others. He even converted his Malibu home into a sober-living facility in 2013, reflecting his deep desire to help those facing similar battles.
The death of Matthew Perry highlights the dangers of unsupervised drug use, even when the substance involved is being investigated as a treatment for mental health conditions. Ketamine, while promising in some contexts, carries significant risks, particularly when used outside of a medical setting.
The legal proceedings continue, with multiple individuals facing charges related to Perry’s death. The case serves as a stark reminder of the deadly consequences of addiction and the importance of proper medical supervision in the use of potent substances like ketamine.
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