Document Type
Article
Department
English (Scripps)
Publication Date
3-30-2008
Disciplines
Chemicals and Drugs | Medicine and Health | Mental and Social Health
Abstract
When a star dies from an overdose, there's a tendency to write it off as "drug abuse." That amazing combination of drugs in Heath Ledger's body, for instance -- what was he thinking? Blame the celebrity, chalk it up to reckless living, a self-destructive lifestyle, a pursuit of pleasure through recreational drugs. But the drugs that killed Ledger -- three types of benzodiazepines, an antihistamine, two pain relievers -- are all substances people take for sleep.
Rights Information
© 2008 Gayle Greene
Terms of Use & License Information
Recommended Citation
Greene, Gayle. “Snooze Alarm: What the deaths of celebrities can teach us about the dangers of insomnia,” Opinion, Los Angeles Times, March 30, 2008.
Included in
Chemicals and Drugs Commons, Medicine and Health Commons, Mental and Social Health Commons
Comments
Posted with permission.