Matthew Perry was in ‘early stages of setting up a foundation dedicated to helping those dealing with substance abuse’ before his death at 54

Matthew Perry was reportedly in the early stages of setting up a foundation dedicated to helping individuals dealing with substance abuse-related issues in the months leading up to his untimely death.

According to TMZthe late artist planned to create an organization similar to the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation in an effort to fund addiction recovery treatments.

It was also reported that friends of the actor, who died last Saturday at the age of 54, are planning to set up an organization in his memory.

According to the media, Perry wanted his legacy to be marked by his dedication to helping those dealing with substance abuse, unlike his high-profile role on Friends, in which he played Chandler Bing.

The artist has been open about his struggles with addiction in the past, and he gave fans detailed accounts of his past struggles in his memoir Friends, Lovers, And The Big Terrible Thing, which was published last year.

Did His Best: In the months leading up to his untimely death, Matthew Perry was in the “early stages of establishing a foundation dedicated to helping individuals dealing with substance abuse-related issues”; he is seen in 2017

In his book, the Primetime Emmy Award-nominated actor admits that he developed a dependency on alcohol at age 14, which progressed to daily drinking at age 18.

Perry also sat down for an interview with Diane Sawyer last October, in which she opened up about how he dealt with his addiction on the set of Friends, where he tried to hide his problems from his co-stars.

He remembered via Entertainment tonight: ‘I made a rule that I would never drink or take anything at work. But I would show up blindly with a hangover.”

The performer further discussed how his castmates unexpectedly confronted him after smelling alcohol on his person during filming, writing, “I thought I hid it so well.”

The actor subsequently developed addictions to various substances, and he became dependent on painkillers after being involved in a jet ski accident on the set of the 2000 feature film Fools Rush In.

Perry’s addiction progressed to the point where he recalled taking as many as 55 Vicodin pills a day, among other things.

Although the artist visited various rehabilitation centers several times, he also suffered numerous relapses throughout his life.

The actor’s troubles came to a head in 2018, when he nearly died after his colon burst due to his opioid addiction.

Hard work: According to TMZ, the late artist planned to create an organization similar to the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation in an effort to fund addiction recovery treatments; he will be seen in 2022

Bad memories: In his book, the Primetime Emmy Award-nominated actor admitted that he developed a dependency on alcohol at age 14, which progressed to daily drinking at age 18

Making it out alive: The actor’s troubles peaked in 2018, when he nearly died after his colon burst due to his opioid addiction; he will be seen in 2022

Perry had also been active in recovery-related organizations in the later stages of his life, and previously operated a rehabilitation center known as Perry House from his former mansion in Malibu.

The performer ran the center for several years before selling his former home in 2015, although he still remained committed to helping people dealing with addiction issues.

The actor spoke to at the time The Hollywood Reporter and stated that he was proud to be able to assist in the recovery processes of others.

Perry said, “The best thing about me is if an alcoholic comes to me and says, ‘Will you help me stop drinking?’ I’ll say: Yes. I know how to do that.”