Matthew Perry’s Friends and Family Thought He Relapsed After First Hearing of His Recent Surgery

Get well soon, Matthew Perry. On Tuesday, Aug. 7, it was revealed that the Friends alum recently underwent surgery to repair his gastrointestinal perforation. According to Heathline.com, the condition “occurs when a hole forms all the way through the stomach, large bowel, or small intestine. It can be due to a number of different diseases, including appendicitis and diverticulitis. It can also be the result of trauma, such as a knife wound or gunshot wound.” 

“Matthew Perry recently underwent surgery in an LA hospital to repair a gastrointestinal perforation,” the actor’s rep confirmed with Life & Style. “He is grateful for the concern and asks for continued privacy as he heals.”

However, due to Matt’s history of addiction issues, his family and friends, “immediately thought he had relapsed, but as far as they know, he’s still sober,” a source told Life & Style. “His family and friends are pulling for him. The poor guy just can’t seem to catch a break.”

In the past, 48-year-old has been very vocal about his battle with drugs and alcohol. In fact, he once admitted that he forgot filming some of the Friends seasons because of it. “I was a little out of it at the time… Somewhere between seasons three and six,” he once shared.

Matt has also been open about how his substance abuse battle was different since he’s a public figure. “When I was in big trouble, it was so public because I was on a TV show that 30 million people were watching,” Matthew told The Hollywood Reporter in 2015. “The fact that I [am] on TV makes people listen a little bit more, so I take advantage of that from time to time.”

Matthew was in rehab back in 1997 for his addiction to Vicodin. He went back to rehab four years later in 2001. “I’ve had a lot of ups and downs in my life and a lot of wonderful accolades,” he shared with the news outlet at the time. “But the best thing about me is that if an alcoholic comes up to me and says, ‘Will you help me stop drinking?’ I will say, ‘Yes. I know how to do that.'”

Now, we’re just hoping Matt keeps riding this road to recovery. “Matthew’s had a hard time over the years, professionally and personally,” the source shared. “This is definitely a very scary moment for him.”