It’s estimated that cocaine was used three days before her death. However, it remains uncertain when the heroin and MDMA were used. Still, despite the discovery, the coroner’s office cannot determine whether or not drugs played a role in Fisher’s death. A variety of other factors such as a heart condition affected the actress as well. Therefore, a cause of death could not be determined.
Daughter Tells It Like It Is
Now, Billie Lourd, the only child of Carrie Fisher, recently opened up to media outlets to confirm what the coroners cannot: her mom died from drug addiction. While this is far from surprising for her fans, Lourd’s bold act of ownership is what her Mom would have wanted.
Carrie Fisher has always made an effort to publicize her journey with mental illness and addiction. She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at just 24 years old and battled a serious drug addiction most of her life.
Lourd made an emotional statement regarding her mother. While reports stated it was uncertain whether drugs caused her death, Lour was less ambivalent, declaring that she was certain her mother died due to her drug use.
“My mom battled drug addiction and mental illness her entire life,” Lourd said in a statement to People magazine. “She ultimately died of it. She was purposefully open in all of her work about the social stigmas surrounding these diseases.”
“She talked about the shame that torments people and their families confronted by these diseases. I know my mom. She’d want her death to encourage people to be open about their struggles. Seek help, fight for government funding for mental-health programs. Shame and those social stigmas are the enemies of progress to solutions and ultimately a cure. Love you, Momby.”
Carrie Fisher: Forever an Advocate
Carrie Fisher has always been one of the most powerful advocates for people struggling with substance use disorders. She used her fame from the Star Wars franchise to stimulate discussion and awareness about drug addiction, mental illness and the challenges of recovery.
“I did drugs because they alter you in a way you can’t alter yourself if you’re not comfortable in your own skin,” she told Mirror Online in 2015.
The actress admitted she used drugs as self-medication for her bipolar disorder. She stated that she was not ashamed about her mental illness, and instead hoped more people would come forward seeking treatment.
“One of the things that baffles me (and there are quite a few) is how there can be so much lingering stigma with regards to mental illness, specifically bipolar disorder. … At times, being bipolar can be an all-consuming challenge, requiring a lot of stamina and even more courage, so if you’re living with this illness and functioning at all, it’s something to be proud of, not ashamed of,” she said In her 2008 memoir, Wishful Drinking.
Results of Toxicology Report
A full autopsy report was not conducted at the request of Fisher’s family. The toxicology report stated it was uncertain whether substances played a role in her untimely death.
“Based on the available toxicological information, we cannot establish the significance of the multiple substances that were detected in Ms. Fisher’s blood and tissue, with regard to the cause of death,” stated the report.
Lourd is taking the extra step to confirm what most try to disguise. Carrie Fisher was never ashamed to discuss her struggles with addiction. She was a voice to those who feared to come forward. If you struggle with addiction, mental illness or both, please reach out. Call now. We want to help.
