How did Matthew Perry stay sober? Athenna Crosby recounts how 'Friends' star refused to drink even diet Coke on their last lunch date
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The late actor Matthew Perry aimed for his legacy to be associated with his humanitarian efforts in helping addicts and alcoholics lead better lives.
Perry, who battled alcoholism and addiction for a significant portion of his life, learned the tough lessons of maintaining sobriety.
Until his unfortunate passing on Saturday, October 28, at the age of 54, the star remained committed to the sobriety he had achieved after enduring numerous challenges.
Model and entrepreneur Athenna Crosby, aged 25, who had previously disclosed going on a lunch date with the '17 Again' star, also mentioned that Perry was dedicated to staying sober and even hesitated to consume a diet coke, showing his commitment to sobriety.
Athena Crosby says Matthew Perry did not have ‘any desire to get back into drugs and alcohol’
During an interview with the Daily Mail, the model and friend of Perry expressed, 'I don't think he had any desire to get back into drugs and alcohol.”
She mentioned that the Emmy-nominated actor took pride in leaving his addiction behind.
Crosby added, “I think he was so proud to finally be over that hump because he openly struggled with addiction for decades, and he was in and out of rehab as recently as the last couple of years.”
She continued, “He was relieved that he finally felt it was behind him, and he was trying to do everything to fight that.”
Crosby further shared that Perry was so committed to staying clean that he was on the verge of refusing a diet Coke.
She stated, “While we were having lunch, he refused to touch the drink menu. He was saying that he's gotten really into fitness and pickleball and he wants to get all his friends into it.”
She then added with a touch of sadness, “I think he was really serious about revamping himself into a whole new man.”
Crosby also shared an anecdote, stating, “He was a little shy to order a Diet Coke because that's caffeine, and it's one more thing that some people might struggle with.”
Nonetheless, Crosby mentioned that he ultimately opted for a small indulgence, quoting him as saying, “'I'm actually doing really good, and this is just a little treat to myself'.
Perry, who had faced his fair share of addiction battles, was enthusiastic about creating a biographical film with Zac Efron portraying his character. Crosby disclosed that Perry intended to portray the role of a therapist in the film himself.
How much did Matthew Perry spend in therapy?
Matthew Perry expended millions of dollars in his quest for sobriety. In his memoir, 'Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing,' the 'Fools Rush In' actor revealed that he spent approximately $7 million in his fight against addiction.
Nevertheless, during his media appearances prior to the release of his book on November 1, 2022, he informed The New York Times that the accurate amount he spent was closer to "$9 million or something in an effort to achieve sobriety."
Perry had to undergo rehab 15 times before he could ultimately achieve sobriety.
Perry struggled with alcoholism for an extended period, but his addiction escalated significantly after he was prescribed Vicodin following a jet ski accident in 1997.
At a certain point, the actor renowned for his witty portrayal of Chandler Bing was consuming 55 Vicodin pills daily, per The Independent.
In 2013, Perry inaugurated a sober living facility in Malibu specifically designed to assist men in their journey to recover from severe addiction.
In a 2015 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Perry said, "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.'"