'I Almost Died': Tatum O’Neal Reveals She Overdosed On Drugs In 2020 -- Resulting In 6-Week Coma
05.07.2023 - 19:27
/ perezhilton.com
Tatum O’Neal is fighting her way back from rock bottom.
In an emotional interview with People published Wednesday, the Oscar winner opened up about a near-fatal overdose in 2020 that left her temporarily unable to walk or speak — in her own words, she remembered:
Towards the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the former child star was prescribed various medications for back and neck pain, as well as rheumatoid arthritis. Tatum had famously struggled with addiction for decades — and unfortunately, as many on such painkillers do, she began abusing the prescription drugs.
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Her oldest child, son Kevin McEnroe, 37, whom she shares with former husband and tennis champ John McEnroe, explained to the outlet:
In May of 2020, Tatum overdosed from a combination of pain meds, opiates, and morphine.
A friend found her in her Century City apartment and rushed her to the hospital. There, it was discovered she’d suffered a devastating stroke, resulting in aphasia — meaning the parts of her brain responsible for communication had been affected. Kevin remembered:
He added:
The Paper Moon star remained in a coma for six weeks before she finally woke up, totally unaware of her state. Kevin added:
Thankfully she made it through — and can tell us just how terrifying it was for her. Tatum recalled of that dark time trapped inside herself:
Even worse, COVID restrictions made it difficult for Kevin and his two younger siblings, brother Sean, 35, and sister Emily, 32, to visit their mother.
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In the years since her fateful overdose, Tatum has been working toward recovery. She