Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman Found Dead of Apparent Overdose

'Drugs aren't something to glamorize':
Demi Lovato slams Hollywood's portrayal
of drug use as 'harmless fun' following Philip Seymour Hoffman's tragic death
By JULIET PAYLOR

She famously - and publicly - battled her own drug addiction to cocaine that saw her seek treatment in rehab at the ripe old age of 18.
And in the wake of actor Philip Seymour Hoffman's death from an apparent heroin overdose on Sunday, Demi Lovato took to Twitter to emphasise that drug addiction should be treated as the 'deadly and serious disease' it is and not glamorised.

'I wish more people would lose the stigma and treat addiction as the deadly and serious DISEASE that it is,' the now-21-year-old singer wrote in a poignant open letter shared with fans. 'Drugs are not something to glamorize in pop music or film to portray as harmless recreational fun. It's not cute, "cool" or admirable.

Having admitted late last year that her own dependence on the illegal substance became so severe she 'couldn't go 30 minutes without cocaine' and even resorted to smuggling it onto airplanes, the star knows only too well the slippery slope that could easily have seen her wind up like the acclaimed actor.

'It's very rare when people can actually predict their addiction and even then, you never know when too much is going to take their life or take a bad batch of whatever it is their using.'
Demi went on to drill home the influence singers and actors have over their fans and the fact that so many musicians today don't think twice about singing about using drugs - with new party drug of choice Molly or MDMA referenced by the likes of Miley Cyrus and Rihanna in recent months.

'It's time people start really taking action on changing what we're actually singing/rapping about these days because you never know if you could be glamorizing a certain drug to a first time user or alcoholic who could possibly end up dead because they end up suffering from the same deadly disease so many have already died from,' she wrote.

This stuff is not something to mess with. Why risk it? Addiction IS a disease. Please spread the word so we can take the taboo out of discussing this illness and raising awareness to people of all ages.'

While it's unclear if Demi's path ever actually crossed with the 46-year-old Oscar-winner's, she's no less saddened by his shock passing under such tragic circumstances and paid tribute to him with a heartfelt message.

'RIP Philip Seymour Hoffman.. An INCREDIBLE artist who lost his life to this horrible disease.. May you rest peacefully and in complete serenity now that your pain is gone. God Bless...'
While plenty of stars have paid tribute in their own way following the legendary Capote actor's death on Sunday, Supernatural star Jared Padalecki found himself at the centre of a fan uproar after tweeting a rather insensitive remark.

'"Sad" isn't the word I'd use to describe a 46-year-old man throwing his life away to drugs "Senseless" is more like it. "Stupid,"' the 31-year-old wrote before quickly deleting the offensive comment following the understandable backlash.

Backtracing a short time later, the married father-of-one attempted to clarify what he actually meant by his cavalier statement.
'I didnt mean PSH is stupid or that addiction isnt a reality. I simply meant I have a different definition of "tragedy," (sic)' he began.
'When I think "tragedy," I think of St Judes, of genocide, of articles I read in the paper. But, yes, either way, a death, is sad.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbi...ing-Philip-Seymour-Hoffmans-tragic-death.html
 
Philip Seymour Hoffman dead at 46: Why is drug relapse so easy, even after decades of sobriety?
Philip Seymour Hoffman maintained sobriety for years before slipping — which sadly cost him his life. Addiction experts say there's no clear way to tell who will relapse and who won't.
BY TRACY MILLER / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Philip Seymour Hoffman was a singular acting talent, but his path as an addict was all too common.

It's a sad fact of addiction that relapse can still occur after years — even, as with Hoffman, more than a decade — of sobriety, experts said.

Forty to 60% of drug addicts in recovery will eventually relapse, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, which calls relapse "not only possible but also likely" due to the chronic nature of addiction.

It's still largely unclear why some people relapse and others may not.

"There's no scientific reason why someone in long-term recovery (starts using) again and someone else doesn't," said Dr. Deni Carise, deputy chief clinical officer at CRC Health Group, a national provider of addiction treatment services.

Addiction "is a very complex disorder," said Dr. Scott Krakower, assistant unit chief of psychiatry at Zucker Hillside Hospital in Queens. "We know it has periods of remissions and relapses. Without having ongoing treatment and support, relapse essentially is easier."

Users of opioid drugs like heroin have a much higher relapse rate than other addicts — as high as 80% or above, he added.

Addiction as a disease has both "a genetic underpinning and social stressors," Krakower said. The latter "may trigger a cascade that causes someone to start with the disease or go through a relapse."

Social stressors that can trigger a relapse include emotional and family stress, anxiety or falling in with other people who are using. Sometimes just seeing or smelling the drug is enough.

But, said Carise, "I've seen just as many people relapse from good events as from bad." Milestones like getting married, having a baby or gaining an inheritance are also potential triggers.

Hoffman had been open about his past drug addiction and in May 2013 admitted to entering a 10-day detox for heroin and prescription pill addiction "more than a year ago."

It's been reported that drugs prescribed by a doctor, in addition to heroin, were found in Hoffman's apartment.

Even the use of legitimately prescribed medications, particularly painkillers, can be dangerous for heroin addicts, experts agreed.

“What we believe happens, is it reminds the brain of the high” from heroin, leaving people wanting more, Carise said.

Other drugs like anti-anxiety medications or muscle relaxants can work with heroin to potentiate the drug, or make it stronger, she said.

"I do think that people in recovery deserve pain relief, but people in recovery from heroin need to be very, very careful," she added. "Heroin is a very potent and strong drug. It's easy for someone to slip."

When people are in remission and relapse, "a lot of times they don't realize that medications when combined with the substance they're ingesting may kill them," Krakower said. "A lot of patients wind up very sick because they don't realize they can't take what they used to.

"In the past they may have built up tolerance to drugs, but when they relapse and take the same amount of drugs they used in the past, they die," he continued. "That happens, and I've seen it happen a lot."

Ultimately, the only way for a recovering addict to have a chance of sobriety is to make it a top priority every single day, Carise said.

"No matter what's going on, recognize that one of the most important things you do each day is not pick up a drink or a drug," she said.

Family members can also help by asking questions about a loved one's prescription drug use, even if doing so risks their anger.

That's not to say keeping up that constant vigilance is easy, even for someone as successful as Hoffman.

"There are a lot of demands on actors, and that leads sometimes to significant anxiety," Krakower said. "They may resort to drugs as poor coping mechanisms."

"It's easy to criticize someone but at the same time they could potentially be suffering a lot inside."

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/drug-relapse-happen-decades-sobriety-article-1.1600544
 
Philip Seymour Hoffman bought heroin and cocaine from two dealers in final drugs score

Police make four arrests
Hoffman suspected of buying drugs night before his death
Suppliers could face felony-murder charge
Hoffman's last hit cost $1000

NEW York police investigating the death of Oscar-winner actor Philip Seymour Hoffman have arrested four suspected drug dealers.

The New York Post reports that police raided a Manhattan address around 7:30pm Tuesday (local time) after a tip-off, and arrested three men and a woman.

Grieving ... O'Donnell (left) and her assistant arrive at the funeral home.

Grieving ... O'Donnell (left) and her assistant arrive at the funeral home. Source: Splash News Australia

UPDATE: First arrests made in Hoffman case

The arrests come as a disturbing picture emerges of the Capote star's final hours.

Flanked by two suspected dealers, Hoffman was seen pulling hundreds of dollars from an ATM near his New York apartment to buy his last score of heroin.

According to The New York Post, he was spotted with two drug dealers outside a D'Agostino's supermarket near his West Village apartment on Saturday night at about 8pm local time.

Law enforcement sources told the paper he purchased about US$1,000 ($1,120) worth of heroin and cocaine.

Hoffmann withdrew US$1,200 in six installments from the ATM on the Saturday with the dealers, who were both wearing messenger bags, standing next to him on one occasion.

"That's when the [drug] transaction took place," the source said.

There is no CCTV of the deal but police are investigating if Hoffman or the dealers were caught on camera soon after.

The next morning Hoffman was found dead of an apparent overdose in a bathroom of his apartment, with a hypodermic needle still sticking out of his left forearm.

More than 20 empty heroin envelopes were found in the apartment, while a plastic cup with 20 used syringes in it and at least 50 more envelopes of heroin and bags of fresh needles were also discovered.

Sources said a charred spoon was found in the sink.

timeline.jpg


Cont -

http://www.news.com.au/entertainmen...inal-drugs-score/story-fn907478-1226818084612
 
Wait, a charred spoon? Wouldn't that indicate tar heroin? They don't sell tar heroin in stamp bags do they?
 
I don't trust anything about the media's reporting of...well, anything.
But the ghoulish sensationalism on show here makes me sick.
Charred spoon? Smells like bullshit. Just tying up the loose ends of ignorance.
 
Philip Seymour Hoffman death: Four arrested in New York drug raid

New York police have arrested four people on drug charges connected to the death of actor Philip Seymour Hoffman.

The four arrests took place in New York's fashionable "NoHo" district - the name is derived from its location, north of Houston Street.

All four suspects were unarmed at the time of arrest. They have been charged with possession of narcotics.

According to the US network CBS, they were also being questioned in relation to the sale of heroin to Hoffman.

Hoffman was found dead on the weekend with a needle in his left arm and a substantial amount of heroin in his apartment in New York's West Village.

Police converged on a building in NoHo's Mott Street just after 7.30pm, New York time.

Three apartments in the building were searched, yielding roughly 350 bags of heroin, according to CBS.

It is believed that none of the heroin recovered in the bust was branded "Ace of Spades", the marking found on the heroin discovered in Hoffman's home.

According to the celebrity news website TMZ, New York police were tipped off by a drug user who had seen Hoffman visiting the dealer at the building in NoHo.

The New York Police Department has not made an official statement in connection with the arrests.

Meanwhile, heroin recovered at Hoffman's apartment has tested negative for the powerful additive fentanyl.

Samples taken from the Manhattan apartment did not contain the potent synthetic morphine, which is added to intensify the high and has been linked to 22 suspected overdose deaths in western Pennsylvania, an official, who was not authorised to talk about the evidence and insisted on anonymity, said.

Investigators have also determined that the Capote star made six ATM transactions for a total of $US1,200 ($AU1,346) inside a supermarket near his home the day before his death, law enforcement officials said.

Cont-

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment...k-drug-raid-20140205-321gk.html#ixzz2sQwCDkr4
 
If (and that's a big "If") the media is correct, and the pigs found a lot more unopened/unused dope near Hoffman's body, then it's beginning to sound like he had planned to end his life (and clearly succeeded).

Oh Phil, I personally know how hard it can be to kick the habit. Wish you would have tried methadone as a last resort (if you didn't already, that is). But I totally get your concerns of possible reactions from Hollywood, and family, friends, etc.

Either way, I don't mean to idolize the man just because he's a celebrity (because I know that he wasn't the only one who lost his life that day due to heroin OD), but he was a remarkable actor - oozing with talent, every role I saw him in he shined. Hero, antihero, villain, supporting actor in random role - I (and many more) will miss him greatly.
 
If you were trying to kill yourself, wouldn't you use all of the heroin at once?
 
Four people have been taken into custody on drug charges after police investigating the death of actor Philip Seymour Hoffman executed search warrants at several New York City apartments, two people with knowledge of the investigation have said.

A confidential source provided a tip that the suspects may have supplied Hoffman drugs, according to the people, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because investigators have not obtained evidence to corroborate the reported connection.

Police say undisclosed quantities of heroin and marijuana were found on Tuesday night in the three apartments in a lower Manhattan building. The four suspects - three of whom live in the building - face charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance. Two also face charges of criminal use of drug paraphernalia.

Hoffman was found dead Sunday in his Greenwich Village apartment with a syringe in his arm.

The NYPD's intensive effort to determine the source of the drugs in an apparent accidental overdose is unusual. Courts have found that under state law drug dealers cannot be held liable for a customer's death.

On Tuesday, a police official said heroin recovered at the Oscar-winning actor's apartment after he was found dead has tested negative for the powerful additive fentanyl.

Samples taken from Hoffman's apartment didn't contain the potent synthetic morphine, which is added to intensify the high and has been linked to 22 suspected overdose deaths in western Pennsylvania, said the official.

Investigators also determined that the Capote star made six bank machine transactions for a total of 1,200 dollars inside a supermarket near his home the day before his death, law enforcement officials have said. They've been piecing together his final hours using video surveillance to determine his whereabouts.

The 46-year-old actor was found dead in his bathroom. His door was double-locked when his body was found around 11.30 am by his assistant and a friend.

Besides the bank records, investigators discovered buprenorphine, a drug used to treat heroin addiction, at Hoffman's apartment and are examining a computer and two iPads found at the scene for clues.

Police have said the medical examiner's ruling on his cause of death will determine whether there is any criminality but they suspect it was an overdose. No official determination has been made yet.

More than 50 small plastic envelopes of heroin were recovered in Hoffman's apartment along with syringes, a charred spoon and various prescription medications, including a blood pressure drug and a muscle relaxant, law enforcement officials have said.

Some of the packets were variously stamped with the ace of hearts and others with the ace of spades.

Addiction specialist Dr Louis Baxter, a former president of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, said addicts, especially those who have built up high tolerances, can use as much as two bundles of heroin, or about two dozen packets, per day.

"Addicts with financial means will actually stockpile their drug," he said. "Someone who has developed tolerance, who is seeking to develop a high, may need to inject every two hours or so."

The Frank E Campbell Funeral Home, which has orchestrated the funerals for celebrities including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and James Cagney, said Hoffman's family has requested a private funeral. It will be held Friday.
 
A session saxophonist who’s played on records by David Bowie, Mick Jagger and others has reportedly been arrested in connection with the heroin-related death of actor Philip Seymour Hoffman.



According to the New York Post, Robert Vineberg was arrested in a Manhattan drug den last night along with three other suspected dealers. Allegedly, the actor, who died of an overdose over the weekend, had purchased heroin from the suspects a while back.

The New York Post notes that Vineberg records under the name Robert Aaron. According to his LinkedIn page, the New York City musician has played with Bowie (he’s listed on the credits of the ‘Let’s Dance’ album), Jagger (‘Goddess in the Doorway’), Blondie, Amy Winehouse and others. In 2010, he released a solo album called ‘Trouble Man.’

During a raid of three apartments last night, police reportedly found 350 envelopes containing what looked like heroin. While none of them had the Ace of Spades stamp found on the packets that were located near Hoffman’s body, a tip led police to the 57-year-old Vineberg and his associates.

After the arrest, Vinegerg was asked if he sold heroin to Hoffman. “No, I did not,” he replied.

The 46-year-old Hoffman, roundly credited as being one of the finest actors of his generation, was found Sunday morning, reportedly with a needle in his arm and more than 50 envelopes of heroin near his body. He relapsed a couple years ago after beating various addictions in his 20s. In addition to roles in ‘Moneyball,’ ‘The Big Lebowski’ and ‘Capote’ (for which he won an Oscar), Hoffman played music critic Lester Bangs in the 2000 movie ‘Almost Famous.’


Read More: Bowie, Jagger Sideman Reportedly Arrested in Hoffman Heroin Death | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/bowie-jagger-sideman-hoffman-heroin/?trackback=tsmclip
 
If one thing comes out of this, its brought the discussion of addiction to the table. Every news agency, the view (which im watching right now in this waiting room office), dr. Phil..etc are all doing specials on addiction. And as much misinformation that's out there, I think its great that these discussions are happening and taking place. Most of these shows are referring to addiction as a medical issue and not "just a bad choice ppl make". It's usually some crazy rockstar or musician you hear about ODing and lately with corey Monteith and PSH people are realizing that heroin addiction isnt reserved to the junky in the street, or over indulgent reckless rockstars. It can affect succesful talented people whom youd least expect. If anything positive comes out of his death, its that its getting the talk out there and perhaps helping society and ppl who don't understand addiction to understand it better, in turn helping addicts in an effective manner, not just shunning them. I read on a news page someone commented negatively

"oh, just another junkie. He had it all a family, money, fame, career and he threw it away for nothing. What an idiot".
Someone responded with a great response that really resonated basically saying

" to think of the worst most vulnerable, desperate, down and out you've ever been. .. so people should remember you and your legacy based on those moments?"

Person worded it in such a way that I can not replicate it, but that's how I feel about the situation. I also think PSH was super strong and great for thr 20 plus yrs of sobriety. I myself used to be an actress until my addiction got so bad. Knowing first hand that industry is a very condoning and enabling industry for drug use. It is near impossible to intrract and come across drugs in the acting world. For him to maintain it that long and be as succesful as he was I give him props. As sad as it is he did not die in vein (see what I did there? ) and I think great things as far a positive movement in societals interpretation of addiction will come of it.
 
I apologize in advance if this sounds like a naive question (I honestly don't know, which is why I ask) but lets assume someone like PSH had (or could have had) on-going access to Rx opiates, why would he (or anyone in such a situation) opt for "street dope" instead..??
 
"Celebrity doctors" probably have to be more careful than the "dr feelgood" characters of the past, especially after the whole thing with Michael Jackson.
I imagine the risk could be too great for a Dr to risk their professional life (and freedom) hooking up someone that was clearly addicted and troubled.
That is pure speculation, but there could be countless other explanations.
We can assume that it was possibly really good shit (if, as reported, it wasnt cut with fentanyl or something) and his habit had possibly blown out more than scripts could cover.
Plus, he had just relapsed post rehab. Few doctors would enable that, no matter how much "star power" the patient has.

But really, we'll never know. He died, and the best thing for people to do is let it remind us all to be careful and follow basic HR rules such as not using alone.
 
Cautious_Optimist said:
I apologize in advance if this sounds like a naive question (I honestly don't know, which is why I ask) but lets assume someone like PSH had (or could have had) on-going access to Rx opiates, why would he (or anyone in such a situation) opt for "street dope" instead..??
Click to expand...

Usually nobody has unlimited access. You run out, and dope is much easier to get in NYC.

Plus, heroin is better than most prescription opioids according to most people.

The question I have is why you bother with $10 bags when you can buy grams or even ounces. Hell, you can buy a nurse to administer the dope, and to monitor your vitals as you pass out on her lap.
 
^Privacy? He was probably keen not to have his career jeopardised by word leaking to the tabloid press that he was using.
Keeping as few people in the loop as possible may have been part of his problem, as well as his ultimate mistake. Stigma is a fucking deadly component to addiction of this sort.
Certainly agree with your first couple of points, 23536.
 
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