Matthew Perry attended rehab 15 times before finally achieving sobriety. He spent the rest of his life dedicated to helping people facing similar issues find the strength and clarity to move past them.
Today, his family announced they have started the Matthew Perry Foundation, to help others facing addiction. A release read in part:
“In the spirit of Matthew Perry’s enduring commitment to helping others struggling with the disease of addiction, we embark on a journey to honor his legacy by establishing the Matthew Perry Foundation, guided by his own words and experiences, and driven by his passion for making a difference in as many lives as possible.”
Perry, himself, had said in 2015, “I’ve had a lot of ups and downs in my life and a lot of wonderful accolades, but the best thing about me is that if an alcoholic comes up to me and says, ‘Will you help me stop drinking?’ I will say, ‘Yes. I know how to do that.’”
“He was looking forward to life, and that’s the extent of… what I saw the day before he passed away. […] He was doing super well in his sobriety. He looked happy. He looked healthy,” Athenna Crosby, who dined with Perry before his death said. “He only had good things to say.”
Sources:
Why it can be so hard to stay sober | CNN
Matthew Perry Foundation set up in late Friends star’s name to help addicts – BBC News
