Is Matthew Stavron from Netflix’s PainKiller based on a real person? We discuss a key character from the Netflix series.
The chilling Netflix series PainKiller explores the incredible rise of the use of prescribed painkilling drugs in the US caused by the addictive nature of the pills and the way they were marketed to the general public.
Big pharma was behind drugs such as OxyContin, which would be pushed as some miracle pain relief to people with ailments. However, the addictive nature of the pills would lead to a rise in addicts, causing what would become an opioid crisis.
The show, based on real events, features real-life characters from the scandal, as well as fictional characters that provide the drive for the narrative.
READ: TV Shows like Painkiller
However, to remind viewers of the real-world consequences of drugs, opening scenes would feature real people, presenting the real facts behind loved ones who had died after becoming addicted.
These moments are there to make sure that audiences know that this was a real event and there were terrible real-world consequences.
This is another article that will help answer your questions about the show. In particular, is Matthew Stavron from Netflix’s PainKiller based on a real person?
Who is Matthew Stavron in PainKiller?
Disclaimers from loved ones who lost family from using the drugs feature in the openings of the episodes of PainKiller. Before episode five, we see the mother of Matthew, Kelle.
Matthew had been prescribed opioids at the age of thirteen after injuries acquired through motocross would leave him in pain.
Matthew would become addicted to OxyContin.
He would die at the young age of twenty-four, despite trying several times to attend rehab.
Is Matthew Stavron from Netflix’s PainKiller a real person?
Yes, Matthew is one of the victims of opioid addiction, whose story will be shared at the opening of episode five by his mother.
These testimonies were included to make sure that viewers would not be confused and think that the show was a work of fiction.
What happened to Matthew Stavron in real life?
Matthew was a bright and promising young man who would sadly become addicted to opioids after being prescribed them for pain relief. A drug overdose at the age of twenty-four would sadly end his life.
Injuries through his love of motocross would lead to his painkiller addiction, and Matthew would try rehab and would, at times, be able to manage the addiction, becoming clean in 2007 after a stint in the hospital. However, fate would conspire against him.
Matthew’s fiancée would have a terrible injury, leading to her needing care that Matthew would provide. However, after only two weeks, he would relapse.
The young man would source a doctor named Dr. Lisa Tseng from Rowland Heights, who would write a prescription for drugs that would eventually lead to Matthew’s death. The prescription for the highest dosage of OxyContin would be found, leading authorities to the doctor.
This led to the authorities uncovering a terrible trade, with many people buying fake prescriptions from the doctor, who would be arrested and convicted for the deaths of three patients, one of whom was Matthew.
Matthew had always wanted to help others who suffered from addiction, a legacy that is continued by his brave and loving parents. The project called Beyond the Grave was to help others, and Matthew’s family has dedicated themselves to providing help for others in a similar position to Matthew.
