Matthew Perry’s sister recalls how condolence calls uncovered some stunning secrets, and left her even prouder of the man her brother was

Trigger Warning: This article contains information about substance abuse, which might be triggering for some readers.

Matthew Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing from the iconic show "Friends," died at 54 following a prolonged battle with addiction and mental health challenges. His family, friends, co-stars, and massive fan following were in shock because of his untimely, tragic death in 2023. The loss still feels unreal to many of his fans, and Caitlin Morrison, his sister, can testify to it. In an interview with The Social CTV (@thesocialctv), she confessed to getting multiple calls after her brother's death, each one telling how he unknowingly had helped many people come through difficulties in life. 

Morrison was going through a difficult time herself, coping with her brother's sudden death, but each time she answered those calls, she felt more proud of the person Perry was. Everyone had a different story to tell; one recalled how the "Fools Rush In" actor helped their wife out of a crisis, while others confessed to overcoming challenges themselves, all because of this one man who would do anything to make his people happy. "This was a guy I could lean on every time things were hard... so many stories like that. I mean, he went around even when he was struggling and did everything he could to help anyone else who was struggling," Morrison shared. She said such stories make her feel amazing; perhaps they remind her of her brother and make her feel closer to him.

Matthew Perry was always very open about his struggle with severe drug and alcohol addiction. Even though he was going through a bad phase himself, he wanted to raise more awareness about it to save others from experiencing what he had most of his life. Having gone through addiction himself, Perry knew it's not something someone can overcome without help. "When I die, I want helping others to be the first thing that's mentioned; addiction is far too powerful for anyone to defeat alone, but together, one day at a time, we can beat it down," he said in a podcast with Tom Power. And his team did fulfill his dream. A week after the actor's death, the Matthew Perry Foundation announced that it would work on helping people struggling with addiction.

The "Serving Sara" star believed everyone deserves a chance to recover or heal without shame, and his foundation continues to help others fight the stigma surrounding addiction. "We honor Matthew’s enduring legacy of compassion for those struggling with substance use disorder. Our mission is to combat stigma and create pathways to recovery, ensuring no one is left behind on their journey to healing," the website mentions. The NCDAS (National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics) cites the most recent data, where half (51.2%) of the people over age 12 are involved in some form of illicit drug use. Overdoses have killed 1.15 million people in the USA since 1999. Interestingly, 21.6% of those suffering some drug disorders also exhibit an opioid disorder; "this includes prescription pain relievers or 'painkillers' and heroin." Given these circumstances, it is beyond exciting that one talented man survived his worst days of addiction only to turn around and help others while he suffered alone.

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Meanwhile, reacting to Morrison's confession, @peggycklecka commented, "He was an awesome person! He could always be counted on for a laugh. I appreciate her (his sister's) honesty in telling his story." Similarly, @dmwelker wrote, "He didn't make it through his addiction, but think of all the people who made it through theirs because of him. He is my hero." @susanmcgregor80 shared, "I wanted to let you know that is one of the things that I admired about Matthew. Also, after I moved back to Florida in June 2023, he got me to smile again after 7 unhappy months in the north."

If you or someone you know is suffering from substance abuse, please visit The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or text your zip code to HELP4U (435748)

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