Carrie Fisher was a beloved actress, writer, and mental health advocate. She was also a recovering drug addict. Fisher’s battle with addiction began at a young age, and she struggled with it for most of her life.
Fisher began using drugs at a young age. She started with marijuana at age 13, and then she moved on to other drugs, such as cocaine and heroin. Fisher’s drug use spiraled out of control in her early 20s. She was arrested for drug possession, and she was in and out of rehab.
Carrie Fisher’s history of drug use
Carrie Fisher‘s career took off in the early 80s when she starred in George Lucas’ Star Wars. Her role as Princess Leia made her a household name, but with fame and stardom came a whole lot of pressure. Fisher began using drugs more heavily to cope with the stress. In 1987, Fisher had a breakdown and was hospitalized. She entered rehab for the first time, and she began to get her life back on track. Fisher continued to struggle with addiction, but she also made progress in her recovery.
Fisher even went on to speak about her drug use while filming Star Wars as well. She said,
“We did cocaine on the set of Empire, in the ice planet;” “I didn’t even like coke that much. It was just a case of getting on whatever train I needed to take to get high.”
She even addressed her drug problem in an interview with the folks at People Magazine in 1987. She clarified,
“I couldn’t stop, or stay stopped. It was never my fantasy to have a drug problem. I’d say, “Oh, fuck it, I haven’t done anything for a couple of months, why not? Let’s celebrate not doing them by doing them”. I got into trouble each time. I hated myself. I just beat myself up. It was very painful.”
Fisher wrote openly about her struggles with addiction in her books, Postcards from the Edge (which was a fictional semi-autobiography that was later turned into a film as well, with Meryl Streep playing the Academy Award-nominated role of the protagonist) and Wishful Drinking. She also became a mental health advocate, and she spoke out about the importance of treatment and recovery.
Carrie Fisher’s untimely death may possibly be linked to drug use
Carrie Fisher passed away in 2016 at the age of 60; and though the coroner’s postmortem report claimed that the cause of her death was sleep apnea, there were traces of cocaine, heroin, and MDMA found in her body. She had a heart attack on a plane, and she was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. Her death shocked many, but she left behind a legacy of her work as an actress, writer, and advocate.
Her drug addiction was nothing less than a roller coaster ride. There were periods of time when she was clean and sober, but there were also times when she relapsed. Fisher’s addiction had a profound impact on her life, both personally and professionally.
Fisher’s legacy is one of courage and strength. She was open about her struggles with addiction, and she helped to destigmatize mental illness. She was a role model for many people who are struggling with addiction, and her work as an advocate will continue to inspire others. Her drug addiction was a difficult chapter in her life, but she never gave up on her recovery.
Carrie Fisher was a brave and inspiring woman who left a lasting legacy.
Source: The Guardian
