Elvis Presley Prescription Drug
Addiction History
Elvis Presley has long been considered the King of Rock 'n' Roll.
And whether you were a fan of his music, or his movies, or neither,
the impact that Elvis Presley had on America, and in large parts
the world, there is one component that has long resonated, even
beyond the multi-million selling records or Hollywood successes
is his rampant drug use. A significant portion of the last years
of his life were lived in a fog of prescription drugs and possibly
some illicit ones as well.
His early years
Elvis Presley moved around a lot during his youth, from one town
to the next, often living within neighborhoods that consisted
of predominantly black families. He was a loner in school, keeping
mostly to himself, and was often picked on and teased for being
what other children called, a 'Mama's boy.' Still, even through
this aspect of his adolescence, Elvis didn't get involved in drugs
or alcohol. Not until he joined the army and headed over to Germany
did this start to develop.
It was there, while stationed in Germany, that he was first introduced
to amphetamines by one of his commanding sergeants. He once described
the feeling he got from amphetamines as being more energetic,
clearer focused, and able to accomplish much more within the time
he was usually given.
When he returned to the United States after his service, it is
long been surmised that he stayed away from illicit drug use,
such as cocaine and heroin, at least until the last few years
of his life, though those instances are still considered rumor,
rather than fact.
Prescription medication
Elvis Presley was more attracted to prescription medication for
the elevation of mood and energy that they seemed to give him.
He once confided to his hairdresser in the sixties, of his loneliness
and the deep depression that he seemed to feel often in his life.
This is often associated with many drug addictions as people aim
to fill some kind of void within his or her life with drugs and
the same may be said about Elvis Presley.
His drug use, though, back in those days, was tolerated for the
most part. Since he wasn't using illicit drugs, but instead doctor
prescribed medication, it was much easier for him to hide it from
the public.
At the time of his death
There have been numerous rumors and speculation about Elvis Presley's
death through the years, from conspiracy to downright denial that
he passed away at all, but the coroner's report stated that at
the time of his death, Elvis has fourteen different prescription
medications present within his body, all of significant levels.
The cause of death has been debated, though, as some point to
a heart-related condition, such as arrhythmia, while others claim
that an overdose of the medications was the cause.
Still others speculate that he may have died from anaphylactic
shock as he was known to have a mild adverse reaction to one of
the medications found in his system. Elvis Presley didn't have
a strong support system surrounding him at the time of his death
and the dangers of addiction to prescription medications wasn't
as readily understood as it is today.
If it had been, perhaps he would have found a way to overcome
his demons and live to a ripe old age.
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