Nelsan Ellis tragedy: Think alcohol is killing you? Quitting can also be deadly.

Source: USA Today

Matthew Diebel

July 11, 2017

Nelsan Ellis, the actor known for his role of Lafayette on the HBO series True Blood, died at the age of 39 Time

Rather than remain addicted to alcohol and drink in large quantities, actor Nelsan Ellis, who starred in the HBO series True Blood, decided to quit.

And it killed him.

According to a statement issued by Ellis’ family, the 39-year-old actor “attempted to withdraw from alcohol on his own.” Ellis then suffered from a blood infection, kidney failure, a swollen liver, low blood pressure and heart failure.

“While you’re withdrawing from other drugs, you may want to die, but alcohol detox is the only actual drug detox you can die from,” Cyndie Dunkerson, clinical supervisor for Hope By the Sea, a California drug detox and rehabilitation center, told NBC News.

Ellis’ journey included several stints in rehab centers, all of which failed, his family said in the statement. He died Saturday in Brooklyn, N.Y.

“I would definitely not advise for anyone to (get off alcohol) on their own,” William Stanley, medical director at Serenity at Summit Behavioral Health, which has rehabilitation facilities in New Jersey and Massachusetts, told USA TODAY.

Suddenly disturbing the chemical balance the body has achieved with chronic alcohol intake can have dire consequences, Stanley said. That’s why doctors recommend seeking medical help to monitor and, if necessary, try to control withdrawal symptoms.

Some people can suffer an alcohol withdrawal seizure, which occurs after the brain has become accustomed and comfortable with the large amount of alcohol being consumed, Stanley said. “That alcohol then stops and all of a sudden the brain goes into a seizure as the result,” he added.