Jamie Lee Curtis speaks about beating ‘toxic addiction to painkillers’ after Prince's death

Actress struggled with opiate addiction after being prescribed prescription painkillers

Jamie Lee Curtis stopped taking prescription drugs 17 years ago (Getty Images)

Jamie Lee Curtis has spoken about overcoming an addiction to prescription drugs amid reports Prince was taking a powerful painkiller before his death.

The iconic musician was found collapsed in an elevator of his Minnesota home on 21 April. He had reportedly been due to meet with an addiction doctor that day and officials have told US media prescription painkillers were found on him. There has been speculation he may have been addicted to Percocet, a prescription drug.

In an essay for the Huffington Post, the Halloween actress said that as reports flood in that Prince was “toxic”, she can relate.

“I was toxic too," she writes.

“I too, waited anxiously for a prescription to be filled for the opiate I was secretly addicted to.

"I too, took too many at once. I too, sought to kill emotional and physical pain with pain killers. Kill it. Make it stop.”

Curtis has been in recovery from opiate addiction for 17 years and says that, like most people, her addiction began after she was prescribed a painkiller following a medical procedure. She urged governmental bodies and medical groups to address and prioritse the issue of opiate addiction.

“Once the phenomenon of craving sets in, it is often too late.”