Robin Williams’ Struggle with Drug Addiction Exposed by Friends

The late actor, Robin Williams, faced a severe battle with substance abuse during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

In a new documentary series called Dark Side of Comedy by Vice TV, Williams's friends have come forward to share shocking stories about his addiction.

According to his longtime friend, Allan Stephan, Williams was unable to perform on stage without snorting cocaine.

Another friend, Mike Binder, revealed an incident where Williams accidentally consumed an entire gram of cocaine.

Both friends emphasized that drugs turned Williams into a “monster.”

Director Howard Storm, in Dave Itzkoff's biography of Williams, described him as showing up to set looking like “a wreck.”

Storm mentioned that Williams would stay up all night snorting cocaine and then drink alcohol to come down from the high.

Williams's addiction escalated, and he became notorious for partying and sleeping around.

However, Williams made a significant change after the death of fellow comedian John Belushi in 1982.

Belushi died from a lethal combination of heroin and cocaine, which shocked Williams and many others in the entertainment industry.

Williams decided to quit cocaine, especially after learning that he was going to become a father.

For the next twenty years, he remained sober, but he eventually relapsed with alcohol in 2005.

He sought treatment in rehab in 2006 but struggled with addiction until his death in 2014.

The coroner's report confirmed that Williams did not have any illegal drugs or alcohol in his system at the time of his suicide.

However, it revealed that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, along with anxiety, paranoia, and depression.

Williams battled with paranoia, as seen in his actions the night before his death when he gave away wristwatches to someone for safekeeping.

The report concluded that Williams died from asphyxia due to hanging, and the manner of death was ruled as suicide.

Williams's struggles with addiction have had a lasting impact on his family.

His son, Zak, has opened up about his own battles with mental health and substance abuse, attributing them in part to his father's influence.

Zak discussed his obsessive-compulsive disorder, insomnia, and racing mind as a child, which led him to rely on alcohol and drugs to calm himself.

He realized that these behaviors mirrored his father's, and it became part of his identity to cope with daily life.

The revelations about Robin Williams's drug addiction and subsequent battle with mental health shed light on the challenges he faced throughout his life.

Despite his fame and success, the comedian struggled with inner demons that ultimately led to his tragic death.

The legacy he leaves behind serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing mental health issues and seeking help when needed.