Register Now!

Amy Winehouse

A coroner has officially ruled Amy Winehouse's death in July to be a "Death by Misadventure," a roundabout term for an alcohol overdose. An inquest found that the "Rehab" singer "had consumed sufficient alcohol... and the unintended consequence of such potentially fatal levels was her sudden and unexpected death." 

Though she had quit drinking two weeks before her passing, Winehouse relapsed the week of her death, and was found with 416mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood in her system, more than five times the legal limit in the U.K. There were also three empty bottles of vodka found in her room at the time of her death.

However, the hearing did confirm that Winehouse hadn't taken drugs since 2008, and her doctor testified that she was "very determined" to quit drinking as well, though resistant to therapy and traditional forms of treatment.

So, for those who were looking for it, some sad (though largely unsurprising) closure on Winehouse's untimely death.

Commentarium (13 Comments)

Oct 26 11 - 1:37pm
Publius

FIVE TIMES the legal limit? She needed the Brian Wilson treatment.

RIP, Amy.

Oct 26 11 - 1:47pm
Lawrence

I've done 0.4 as well. It's very very messed up. I was playing Jenga with my eyelids. And by Jenga I mean I was using a brickwall....

Oct 26 11 - 2:08pm
Jeff @ DTM

I think "Death by Misadventure" was the same mark they gave the drummer for The Who when they found him floating in the pool.

Oct 26 11 - 3:57pm
@Jeff @ DTM

You're mixing up the Rolling Stones and the Who. (Not to mention the guitar and the drums.)

Oct 26 11 - 5:13pm
fishstix

and od-ing with...Mmmmurder!

Oct 26 11 - 2:25pm
BrosephofArimathea

"she was "very determined" to quit drinking as well, though resistant to therapy and traditional forms of treatment."

Does not compute.

Oct 26 11 - 3:12pm
Publius

I'm not so sure. I think there are millions of alcoholics who would love to stop being alcoholics but can't bring themselves to step drinking.

Oct 27 11 - 1:39am
unsexy ferret

The most traditional form of treatment for alcoholism is AA, which is church-centric and pretty hardlined. I could see how someone might be very determined to quit drinking but repulsed by that method. There's a lot of anecdotal data out there that suggests that AA is worse than nothing--people have such strong negative feelings about the treatment, and there are so few alternative methods, they feel hopeless about their chances of controlling the drinking, see trying to control it as pointless, etc etc.
AA can be great for some people, but it's definitely not one size fits all.

Oct 27 11 - 10:31am
Lisa

And there's a lot of non-anecdotal (as in, actual research) data that proves AA is significantly better than nothing. I agree that the use of the "higher power" is off-putting to a number of people (though there are plenty of atheists in AA who've found a way to make it work), but it's a huge network that is basically free and open to anyone who wants help in pretty much any community in the U.S. Thank goodness for that, as there just aren't a lot of other resources out there for people who don't live in cities or have money.

Jan 20 12 - 6:45pm
sigtunafish

The great thing about AA is that there are a lot of groups with some great people. If you don't like one group, just find another you fit with better. It's also great because it takes away the shame of being an alcoholic. And you find people with whom you can discuss what's going on and who will encourage you. I enjoyed my sessions and got a lot out of them. When I really decided to quit, though, I did it with support of friends and family but also with the knowledge I gained from my AA classes. I've been sober seven years, but it I was ever tempted to relapse, I would make AA my first stop. Alcoholics' bodies process alcohol differently. We get a bigger high. It's completely obvious when I observe how non-alcoholics drink. So if you are one of those people that gets really happy after a couple of drinks, and even happier afte a couple more drinks, I have bad news for you...

Oct 27 11 - 2:47am
GeeBee

Five times the legal limit for driving is an irrelevant number (unless you are driving of course). Around 1.5 times the limit for continuing to breathe; now that was the relevant number. Sad.
"Death by misadventure" doesn't just apply to alcohol overdoses. It's pretty much the standard verdict for anyone who is simply SOL.

Oct 27 11 - 7:51pm
HH

I agree with you that it's not that relevant since she wasn't driving, but comparing alcohol levels to the driving limit makes sense because it allows the reader to put it into context. I've played around with breathalysers and know what the limit feels like, as would most people.

Oct 27 11 - 12:57pm
DieHardWinehouseFan

Absolutely loved her!
In a world where everyone is exactly the same, she was the genuine article.
It's amazing how the best people die young.
Truly crazy, truly gifted, it breaks my heart she's gone.
R.I.P. Amy....(Your in a better place- this one sucks)

Now you say something

Incorrect please try again
Enter the words above: Enter the numbers you hear: