Amy Winehouse died from alcohol consumption, according to a completed coroner’s inquest. Empty vodka bottles were found around her body, and blood tests showed that Amy’s blood alcohol content was 0.4 percent, more than five times Britain’s drunk driving limit.
Amy’s battles with addiction had been well documented throughout the years, including several trips to rehab for drug and alcohol addictions. Although many wondered if her death was caused by drugs, it was heavy drinking that dealt Amy a fatal blow. In a Huffington Post article, one of Amy’s doctors, Dr. Christina Romete, says Amy had resumed drinking in the days leading up to her death after avoiding alcohol for much of the previous month.
Judging by the empty bottles found around Amy’s body, as well as her blood alcohol limit, it’s clear the troubled singer drank a large quantity of alcohol in a short time. Binge drinking can lead to alcohol poisoning, which the Mayo Clinic describes as a “serious—and sometimes deadly—consequence of drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time. Drinking too much too quickly can affect your breathing, heart rate and gag reflex and potentially lead to coma and death.”
Earlier this year, Amy completed alcohol rehabilitation and launched a European comeback tour. After the first performance, however, it was clear that Amy was in no condition to perform. She stumbled, slurred her words and failed to recall song lyrics. The singer later canceled the remaining performances, a move that prompted increased media speculation about her health.
In addition to battling various addictions, Amy was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She refused mental health treatment and, sadly, serves as a grim reminder that people struggling with mental health issues are infinitely more likely to have problems with drug and alcohol addiction, especially if they opt to self-treat—this behavior typically increases the need for drugs and alcohol to help them escape symptoms of other problems.
If you or someone you know is in need of help for addiction and/or mental health issues, we offer a variety of treatment options and assistance. Please contact us for more information.
