Fans were shocked by the news of Harwell entering hospice care and his subsequent passing, though Harwell had a history of ongoing health problems, particularly during the last decade of his life. In 2013, Harwell was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and Wernicke encephalopathy, two health conditions where alcohol use can be an exacerbating factor. Steve Harwell died from acute liver failure, his band’s manager told NBC News. Steve Harwell, former lead singer for rock band Smash Mouth, died at age 56 on Sept. 4, 2023, due to acute liver failure. Smash Mouth, which last made headlines here and elsewhere for performing in the middle of a pandemic at the August 2020 Sturgis motorcycle rally/super-spreader event, no longer has a lead singer.
What is acute liver failure?
Since 90% of all alcohol is processed through the liver, the organ is at the highest risk for cell degeneration and damage caused by the substance. This can result in fatty liver disease and cirrhosis of the liver, ultimately leading to liver failure if left steve harwell alcholism untreated. Steve Harwell, the former lead singer of Smash Mouth, has entered hospice care as he suffers from the final stage of liver failure, according to sources.
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Finally, she did admit herself to rehab for alcoholism, in spite of her famous song to the contrary. On Instagram, Smash Mouth wrote today, “Steve Harwell was a true American Original. Steve should be remembered for his unwavering focus and impassioned determination to reach the heights of pop stardom.” Find the band’s full statement below. TMZ reported that Harwell is “on his deathbed” and has entered the last stage of liver failure, which was brought on from a lifelong struggle with alcohol abuse.
Smashmouth’s Steve Harwell’s Death Attributed to Alcohol Addiction
In a tragic turn of events, the music industry mourns the loss of former Smash Mouth lead singer Steve Harwell, who passed away at 56 due to acute liver failure caused by alcoholism. Recently, some experts have started using the term acute on chronic liver failure. In this situation, a patient “may have underlying long-standing chronic liver disease or cirrhosis,” Kushner explains, and then an infection or other issue “on top of that leads to liver failure.” With chronic liver failure, patients usually have long-standing liver disease, Kushner says, which can be caused by long-term alcohol use, hepatitis viruses, autoimmune conditions and genetic conditions. His death was confirmed by the band’s manager, Robert Hayes, who said the cause was acute liver failure.
Ongoing Health Problems
The liver is also responsible for “filtering” toxins from the blood and that includes alcohol. Celebrity alcohol addiction, like any other alcohol use disorder, places tremendous strain on the liver. Lionel is the Clinical Director of Cornerstone’s Scottsdale treatment facilities. He is personally in recovery and passionate about helping others overcome substance abuse and mental health challenges; he is trained as an EMDR, adopting a trauma-informed approach to treat the underlying issues. It’s crucial to encourage individuals and society to engage in open dialogues about alcoholism, recognizing that it’s a complex issue that affects people from all walks of life. Abrupt cessation of alcohol consumption, especially for individuals with a long history of heavy drinking, can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms, some of which are life-threatening.
Steve Harwell’s history of health complications
- Abrupt cessation of alcohol consumption, especially for individuals with a long history of heavy drinking, can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms, some of which are life-threatening.
- Steve Harwell, the founding singer of Smash Mouth, died today at his home in Boise, Idaho, of liver failure, The New York Times reports.
- But we also recognize there is more to crafting a life well-lived in recovery than exceptional treatment.
- TMZ reported that Harwell is “on his deathbed” and has entered the last stage of liver failure, which was brought on from a lifelong struggle with alcohol abuse.
- Liver failure is when the liver shuts down and is unable to carry out important bodily functions.
- In 2016, the rockstar collapsed on stage during a concert performance and had to be rushed to the hospital in an ambulance.
The representative noted that he was struggling with alcohol abuse throughout his life which led to the liver failure. While the official cause of death is yet to be confirmed, Smash Mouth’s manager Robert Hayes shared that the cause of Harwell’s death was liver failure, reported Daily Mail. Another casualty of celebrity alcohol addiction was Led Zeppelin drummer, John Bonham. Bonham helped fill stadiums and festivals during the same era as Janis Joplin. Harwell announced his retirement from the band in October 2021 following a controversial performance, later revealing that he had been battling health issues, including cardiomyopathy, for eight years. This article honors Harwell’s life and work, emphasizing his influence on the music industry and raising awareness about the detrimental effects of alcohol addiction.
- At North Jersey Recovery Center, we strive to make your addiction treatment experience as comfortable as possible.
- Regularly drinking a lot of alcohol eventually causes the liver to start replacing healthy cells with scar tissue — impairing the organ’s ability to function.
- In a tragic turn of events, the music industry mourns the loss of former Smash Mouth lead singer Steve Harwell, who passed away at 56 due to acute liver failure caused by alcoholism.
- Harwell’s carefree youth was undoubtedly behind him, but few of us expect to die in our 50s, especially from what is generally a preventable illness.
- As we remember Steve Harwell and his accomplishments, we are reminded of the difficulties and obstacles that can arise with alcoholism.
- Autopsy reports attributed Matthew Perry’s death to the “acute effects of Ketamine,” combined with the Opioid use disorder drug, Buprenorphine.
- Celebrity alcohol addiction was bound to enter the conversation, especially since the Smashmouth frontman had been open about his battle with alcohol in the past.
Throughout his life, Harwell battled with alcohol abuse, which ultimately took a toll on his health. Harwell’s remarkable journey in the music industry led him to pop stardom with hits like “Walkin’ on the Sun” and “All-Star,” making Smash Mouth a staple of the late ’90s pop radio landscape. Harwell suffered a personal tragedy in 2001 when his new-born son Presley died from complications from acute lymphocytic leukaemia. The musician reportedly helped to set up a medical research fund in his son’s name. “Liver failure does not necessarily have to be a death sentence,” Kushner says.
