Ozzy Osbourne is still alive, at 74. He was as much of an alcoholic as MacGowan ever was, if not worse (although I don't think Ozzy ever did heroin?)
Dick van Dyke is still around at 97(!) in spite of many years of chain-smoking and alcoholism (he stopped drinking in his late 40s, and smoking in his 70s). Look, I like Dick van Dyke and I wish him many more years, but he ought to have died decades ago.
“ Over the past forty years, I've been loaded on booze, coke, acid, Quaaludes, glue, cough mixture, heroin, Rohypnol, Klonopin, Vicodin, and too many other heavy-duty substances to list in this footnote. On more than a few occasions I was on all of those at the same time.” - Ozzy Osbourne
Genetics seems to count for a lot. Lifestyle is proven to have a huge effect on quality of life and the risk of certain ailments, but doesn't seem to be the main factor in longevity. As my dad used to fatalistically say: "When you're gonna go, you're gonna go." (Ironically, his lifestyle has resulted in him living under 24/7 care, but he's still alive.)
That's probably a bit too simplified; if you're a smoker and get lung cancer at 65 then it's very conceivable you would have lived longer if you never smoked (not certain: lots of things can cause lung cancer). It's even more clear-cut with things like asbestos.
Heroin surprisingly doesn't have a lot of long term effects to health (so long as you don't OD). It's the use of needles and blood born illnesses that can really well: kill you. Hepatitis, HIV, etc.
He also stopped doing heroin 45 years ago (self reported).
In Shane's case, is it any wonder that a chronic and extreme drinking problem eventually kills you? His quality of life has been impacted for almost as long as Keith Richards has been off the needle.
Comments
Ozzy Osbourne is still alive, at 74. He was as much of an alcoholic as MacGowan ever was, if not worse (although I don't think Ozzy ever did heroin?)
Dick van Dyke is still around at 97(!) in spite of many years of chain-smoking and alcoholism (he stopped drinking in his late 40s, and smoking in his 70s). Look, I like Dick van Dyke and I wish him many more years, but he ought to have died decades ago.
Biology is funny business.
“ Over the past forty years, I've been loaded on booze, coke, acid, Quaaludes, glue, cough mixture, heroin, Rohypnol, Klonopin, Vicodin, and too many other heavy-duty substances to list in this footnote. On more than a few occasions I was on all of those at the same time.” - Ozzy Osbourne
Genetics seems to count for a lot. Lifestyle is proven to have a huge effect on quality of life and the risk of certain ailments, but doesn't seem to be the main factor in longevity. As my dad used to fatalistically say: "When you're gonna go, you're gonna go." (Ironically, his lifestyle has resulted in him living under 24/7 care, but he's still alive.)
That's probably a bit too simplified; if you're a smoker and get lung cancer at 65 then it's very conceivable you would have lived longer if you never smoked (not certain: lots of things can cause lung cancer). It's even more clear-cut with things like asbestos.
As for ol' Dicky specifically, he seems to be doing pretty well for his age: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oL3AijekRYw
Keith Richards did become addicted to heroin and is 80 in a few weeks.
Heroin surprisingly doesn't have a lot of long term effects to health (so long as you don't OD). It's the use of needles and blood born illnesses that can really well: kill you. Hepatitis, HIV, etc.
Heroin is a funny one - it's not hard on your body; you are hard on your body as a user.
While true, opioid abuse can cause severe constipation (which perhaps helped kill Elvis), and increases your risk of GI disorders like SIBO.
He also stopped doing heroin 45 years ago (self reported).
In Shane's case, is it any wonder that a chronic and extreme drinking problem eventually kills you? His quality of life has been impacted for almost as long as Keith Richards has been off the needle.
Ozzy would get sober from time to time.