Mac Miller | Alcohol, Cocaine, & Fentanyl Overdose Death

Malcolm James McCormick, or Mac Miller, was a record producer and American rapper who died of an accidental drug overdose at the age of 26. He was posthumously nominated for a Best Rap Album Grammy Award for his work on Swimming.

About Mac Miller

Born Malcom McCormick on January 19, 1992, rapper Mac Miller grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Before he was 14, Miller was rapping and skilled in various musical instruments.

At age 15 when Miller was only in high school, he released mixtapes. As his career began to climb, Miller won the 21 & Under of the Year and Best Hip Hop Video for “Live Free” at the 2010 Pittsburgh Hip Hop Awards.

Blue Slide Park was Miller’s first debut studio album, debuting in the Billboard 200 charts. According to Rolling Stone, despite his success, Mac Miller struggled with substance abuse throughout his life.

Before his death, Miller suffered from depression due to his public break-up with pop star Ariana Grande in May 2018. During this same month, he was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI).

How Mac Miller Died

Mac Miller’s death occurred on September 7, 2018 in his San Fernando Valley home in Studio City, California. The 26-year-old rapper was pronounced dead at the scene. According to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office, the cause of death was a drug overdose.

An overdose occurred due to the combination of drugs in Miller’s system which consisted of:

• the stimulant cocaine
• the opioid fentanyl
• the central nervous system (CNS) depressant alcohol

During an investigation into Miller’s death, officials discovered Miller was supplied counterfeit oxycodone pills which contained fentanyl only two days before Miller’s death.

Fentanyl-Laced Pills

These fentanyl-laced pills impacted the cause of Miller’s death, which was ruled an accidental overdose. Fentanyl is a strong opioid drug which is considered a Schedule II controlled substance, meaning it has a high potential for abuse.

After his death, the news of Mac Miller’s fatal overdose began trending on social media. Many celebrities paid their respects to the artist such as Wiz Khalifa.

Indictment Of Drug Dealers

Cameron James Pettit, Stephen Andrew Walter, and Ryan Michael Reavis were indicted on charges of the distribution of fentanyl, which resulted in Miller’s death. Taking either small or large doses of fentanyl can lead to a fatal overdose. 

Mac Miller Circles Fund

In addition, the Mac Miller Circles Fund was created as a charity to help support young musicians who struggle with drug abuse. Other celebrities who suffer from substance abuse issues such as Demi Lovato, admitted to Insider that she felt survivor’s guilt after Miller died.

This is due, in part, to the almost-fatal overdose which Demi Lovato suffered from only a few months prior to Miller’s death.

Mac Miller’s History Of Substance Abuse

Mac Miller spoke openly of his drug use. According to Complex, he specifically enjoyed taking lean, a codeine and cough syrup drink sometimes referred to as sizzurp. He was also placed on promethazine in 2012 during a tour.

In 2014, Miller admitted to participating in drug abuse, as was evident in Billboard’s review of Miller’s mixtape, which mentioned his lyrics in reference to drug use. Throughout his life, Miller spoke of his struggles with not only substance abuse issues, but his mental health as well.

Did Mac Miller Attend Drug Rehab?

According to Entertainment Tonight, Miller seemed to be drug-free, but in a documentary in 2016, he admitted that he hated being sober. In fact, Miller openly suggested his depression and drug use were intertwined in an interview with Larry King.

Miller seemed to be suffering from mental health issues which led to drug abuse for self-medication. This occurred sporadically, with Miller going back and forth between periods of drug abuse and sobriety.

Miller may have benefited from professional treatment at a rehabilitation center. Unfortunately, he may have never truly received the help he needed.

Recovery Is Possible

The tragedy of Mac Miller’s death is a grim reminder of the dangers of opioid addiction and fentanyl-laced counterfeit prescription drugs.

However, recovery from opioid addiction is possible with a combination of professional rehab, therapy, and ongoing support from loved ones and family members.

To learn how we treat opioid addiction in inpatient and outpatient settings, please contact us today.