Drug Used to Fight Alcoholism Found in Amy Winehouse's Bloodstream

GF, bauergriffinonline.com

A prescription drug used to treat alcohol addiction might have contributed to Amy Winehouse's death, the singer's father said Friday.

Taping the debut episode -- set to air Monday, Sept. 12 -- of Anderson Cooper's new talk show, Mitch Winehouse revealed that Librium had been found in his daughter's bloodstream, as well as traces of alcohol. Mitch believes his superstar daughter, who died on July 23 at the age of 27, suffered a seizure brought on by alcohol detox, and that "there was nobody there to rescue her," according to the AP.

"Everything Amy did, she did to excess," Mitch said. "She drank to excess and did detox to excess."

Despite her public bouts with drugs and alcohol, the beehive-rocking soul great had been making progress with her recovery, Mitch added. With a doctor's help, she was enjoying longer periods of sobriety, although treatment sometimes brought about seizures.

While Mitch admitted he's only speculating about the cause of death, more answers may come next month, when a full inquest is due to begin. Regardless of what led to his daughter's premature passing, Mitch insists the 'Rehab' singer wasn't defined by her demons.

"When she wasn't drinking," he said, "she was absolutely on top of the world."

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marine1942

Obama said "Geo. Bush did it ".

September 11 2011 at 7:59 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Laura

Does it really matter what it was? Drugs, alcohol, librium.....whatever. She was a train wreck. It's like wondering what gave the 500 pound guy the heart attack. Was it the cheeseburger or the fried chicken?

September 11 2011 at 7:34 AM Report abuse +3 rate up rate down Reply
judygayles

It is so sad to lose a child at any age, and 27 is definitely too young to die. I feel so sorry for the young people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. I have never been addicted to either, but it must be a terrible way to live. My heart goes out to Amy's family and friends and also to those in need of help. Keep your eyes open and get them the help they need before they wind up like Amy.

September 11 2011 at 7:09 AM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
prettyorbie

This woman was a train wreck waiting to happen. It was inevitable. If she had RX drugs in her system then she was addicted to them and overdosed on them. She was a drug addict and most likely died from something related to that. Her parents need to just come to terms with that and stop trying to convince the rest of us otherwise. I know they most likely feel guilty but they to step away from the denial they are in and move on to the next stage of acceptance.

September 11 2011 at 6:56 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to prettyorbie's comment
jglalone

Dr. Prety Orbie, though you are trying to practice psychology without a licence...or knowledge, you only make yourself look pathetically ignorant and without compassion. Go do your makeup and spare us your analysis. Her father's explantion is not without possibility Dr. J

September 11 2011 at 7:12 AM Report abuse -2 rate up rate down Reply
auctionsurplus

She wasn't taking any illegal drugs and the only RX drug found in her system was prescribed to help her fight her alcoholism. Her parents had accepted her fate long before it happened. Go back and read the article, and maybe some of the ones written right after her passing. She wasn't high.

September 11 2011 at 9:18 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Randy

I sure am glad my parents taught me that if I didn't have anything nice to say, it was the smart thing to not say anything at all.

September 11 2011 at 6:54 AM Report abuse +4 rate up rate down Reply
sheckyrulz67

This woman was a train wreck. I wish they would stop with all this cover up stuff to try to protect her reputation. She ruined her reputation years ago. She is dead now, we really dont need to hear about this. Let her rest in peace.

September 11 2011 at 6:51 AM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
mhsden

Arent most people on top of the world and more fun to be around when there not trashed it was her choice she was stupid enough to do it just to make the 27 club

September 11 2011 at 6:12 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
vampyreangelus

She made her choice to drink and do drugs for many years, no one forced her.

September 11 2011 at 4:12 AM Report abuse +3 rate up rate down Reply
mdonnarmc

(part 2 of my comment)
This is just another example of how she lived her life. She didn't heed any warnings and she was going to do what she wanted no matter what anyone said. To anyone that tried to help her, she gave them, the finger and told them to F off! So now, she's dead because of it, and Im personally tired of hearing about this woman who, now that she IS dead, is being hailed as one of the best artists and greatest talent of our time instead of what she really was which is a marginal talent at best. She was an alchoholic junkie that had a few hits but basically didn't care about her fans, family or friends. Im sorry for all her fans who are upset about her passing, but the truth is, you cared more about her than she did about you! Sorry.

September 11 2011 at 3:13 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mdonnarmc

My ex was given that medication to quit his drinking and the directions are VERY clear. If you drink when this pill is in your system you will become very sick and in some instances it has been known to cause death.

September 11 2011 at 2:57 AM Report abuse +5 rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to mdonnarmc's comment
Steve

Some people shouldn't drink. Ever. But that doesn't stop them, and they probably won't read labels, either.

September 11 2011 at 3:01 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
verneuker

Sounds like the drug you're describing is Antabuse. It's a drug that created immediate negative physical effects whenever the person's body encounters alcohol. The negative effects can include shakes, sweats, vomiting, even up to psychosis and death. Librium is a drug that settles the nervous system when someone is suffering from alcohol withdrawal. It stops shakes, sweats, helps avoid convulsions. Drinking with Librium in your system is recommended against, but it wouldn't lead to death like Antabuse can.

September 12 2011 at 1:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply