The 60-year-old comedian spoke about the harrowing incident and its aftermath during an appearance on the “Howie Mandel Does Stuff” podcast on Tuesday. According to Page Six, Andy Dick said he has “five to seven holes” in his brain following a near-fatal drug overdose in December.
GettyDuring an intense conversation, Howie Mandel, 70, directly addressed the severity of the episode with his guest in his podcast, “Howie Mandel Does Stuff”. Mandel was seeking clarity on the life-threatening nature of the incident.
The host pressed for explicit confirmation: “You were dead. Were you dead? Did your heart stop? Like legitimately, clinically dead?” His tone conveyed a mix of concern and perhaps a sense of incredulity regarding the near-fatal event.
GettyAndy Dick confirmed the gravity of the situation, stating unequivocally that his heart had stopped. Also, the comedian added he was “not breathing” following the overdose. He added that he did not remember anything until he was “waking up in the ambulance.”
What Medical Tests Revealed to Andy Dick After Surviving Near-Fatal Overdose
After being revived, Dick said he underwent medical testing, including a brain scan. The study revealed multiple lesions he attributes to years of drug and alcohol abuse. “They did a CAT scan thing, or whatever they call it in your brain, and I have all these – there’s about five to seven holes.”
According to the Cleveland Clinic, such lesions — sometimes described as “holes” — can develop for a variety of reasons. Those variables includes chronic stress and traumatic brain injuries. However, Dick’s representative told Page Six that the comedian’s brain abnormalities stem from an incident he experienced seven years ago.
GettyHis rep said in a statement, “The issue with his brain is from the 2019 attack that almost killed Andy when an unprovoked attacker cold-cocked Andy while he was outside of the club he and Paris Dylan had just performed.”
Dick has faced substance abuse issues in the past. After the December overdose, he voluntarily entered a rehab facility in Palm Springs. He departed the center in under two months. His representative added that despite his long history of addiction, Dick is now “healthy, sober and doing great” following the December incident.
GettyThe Comedian Reflects on Rehab and Recovery After Overdose
In an earlier interview with Page Six, Dick described his latest time in rehab. He said it was “different” compared to his “many” prior stays.
“This one feels different, I think, mostly because I actually legit died, and I can’t believe I came back to life,” he shared.
