In his recent memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, actor Matthew Perry opens up about his struggles with alcohol and opioid addictions.
In particular, he talks about a long hospital stay in 2018 that was, at the time, chalked up to complications from a gastrointestinal perforation. However, instead he was actually in the hospital for a burst colon from chronic overuse of opioids. He was in the hospital for over five months.
“"The doctors told my family that I had a 2% chance to live…I was put on a thing called an ECMO machine, which does all the breathing for your heart and your lungs. And that's called a Hail Mary. No one survives that.”
Perry’s substance use began during the filming of the hit show Friends and continued for many years as he quit and relapsed several times. He says that he went to rehab 14 times and had over 15 surgeries. He won’t say how long he’s been sober, but does emphasize how his experience with surgery and its aftereffects now helps him keep sober.
“My therapist said, 'The next time you think about taking Oxycontin, just think about having a colostomy bag for the rest of your life…And a little window opened and I crawled through it and I no longer want Oxycontin anymore."
Reactions to the news were a little mean, but mostly just celebrating Perry’s current sobriety.
Several comments were about the quality of the picture of Perry, but other commenters were quick to jump on people being insulting to him.
\u201c@people People talking about how he is looking instead his story\nI don't believe in humans\u201d— People (@People) 1666177480
Most commenters, however, were just glad he’s doing better and incredulous that he’s even alive at all to tell his story.
\u201c@MikeSington Jesus. How is he still even alive?\u201d— Mike Sington (@Mike Sington) 1666190148
\u201c@people Glad you made it out, so many don't.\u201d— People (@People) 1666177480
\u201c@people Glad he survived and could tell his story.\u201d— People (@People) 1666177480
Many commiserated with his struggles, having themselves or close friends and family having had addictions.
\u201c@people Yay! It's good to hear that. And mighty brave of Matt to open up. People can be so judgey but no ones hands are clean and we all got a few skeletons. Can't wait MP and stay strong. \ud83e\udd70\u201d— People (@People) 1666177480
\u201c@people It\u2019s so hard to tell your story and share it with the world. I love the message of hope. The world needs it. You have strength @MatthewPerry \ud83d\udc99you\u2019ve made us laugh and cry. Looking forward to hearing your words and wish you continued success.\u201d— People (@People) 1666177480
\u201c@MikeSington Wow that\u2019s quite the story of survival! I\u2019m glad he got his life together \ud83d\ude4f\ud83d\ude4f He\u2019s shown people that it can be done! \u2705\u201d— Mike Sington (@Mike Sington) 1666190148
Elsewhere in the interview, Perry talks about how his castmates on Friends helped him out and people pulled out that quote, as it’s quite inspiring.
\u201c"It's like penguins. Penguins, in nature, when one is sick, or when one is very injured, the other penguins surround it and prop it up. They walk around it until that penguin can walk on its own. That's kind of what the cast did for me." Matthew Perry \ud83e\udd70\u201d— Nadia (@Nadia) 1666249498
Perry is heading out on a book tour for his memoir, so there will be sure to be more about his journey of recovery coming out in the future..
The Washington Post
No Way Reaction GIF 
Leighton Meester Love GIF 
chivalrous ichabod crane GIF 
awkward smile GIF 
GIF by YOU 
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung presenting U.S. President Donald Trump with honors and gifts at the Gyeongju National Museum in Gyeongju on October 29, 2025.Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images
@jokerswild/Bluesky