The Case of Elvis Presley

1
The Case of Elvis Presley

• Polysubstance Dependence- the use of at least
  three different substances for at least six
  months, with no substance predominating.

2

• Born Jan. 8, 1935
• Twin still-born 35 minutes before Elvis
• Family was extremely poor and moved often

3

• When age 4, father spent three years in prison
• Mother known to be excessively protective of her
  only child
• Mom was very tense and nervous
• Often took medicine for her bad nerves
• Reasonable happy childhood
• Moved to Memphis, moving into public housing in
  1949

4

• From 1956-1958 his stardom reached unbelievable
  heights, selling over 142 gold records worldwide

5

• Drafted into the U.S. army in 1958
• Mom refused to speak with him left alone for
  first time
• Moms health began to deteriorate, in constant
  state of depression and fits of anger

6

• While Elvis was in the army mom began drinking
  heavily and was eventually diagnosed with
  hepatitis
• Mom dies August 1958
• Devastated by the news Elvis begins a period of
  isolation

7

• At age 33, marries Priscilla
• Lisa Marie is born 9 months later
• Has first 1 hit in seven years (Suspicious
  Minds, 1969)
• Emotionally drained and destructive living habits

8

• Began promiscuous behavior
• Out of sync sleeping schedule
• Poor eating habits
• Increasing dependence and abuse of prescription
  drugs

9

• From the time Priscilla sued for divorce in 1973
  until his death, Elviss weight and drug used
  increased markedly
• Experienced numerous physical disorders
• Heavily sedated for several days after
  discovering Priscilla was involved with someone
  else

10

• By 1974 often spent days at a time in his room at
  Graceland
• Began wild spending sprees
• Often seemed confused and sweated profusely
• Giggle fits on stage
• Increasing drug use

11

• In the 32 months prior to his death, his
  physician allegedly prescribed 19,000
  prescriptions (claimed many were placebos)
• His pastime toward the end was studying medical
  and prescription books

12

• Bio-Science laboratories stated Presley died of
  polypharmacy with the following substances in his
  body tissues
• codeine 5. Demerol
• Steroids/ACTH 6. Amobarbital
• Valium 7. Phenobarbital
• Ethchlorvynol 8. Methaqualone very high