What to know about acute liver failure, Steve Harwell of Smash Mouth’s cause of death

Before launching Smash Mouth in 1994, Steve Harwell released a single with the rap group F.O.S. (Freedom of Speech) through Scotti Bros. They produced popular hits in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, such as “All Star”, “Walkin’ on the Sun” and their cover of the Monkees’ “I’m a Believer.” “Steve is resting at home and being cared for by his fiancé and hospice care.”

The musician reportedly helped to set up a medical research fund in his son’s name. Steve Harwell, the lead singer of US band Smash Mouth, has died at the age of 56. “Liver failure does not necessarily have to be a death sentence,” Kushner says. Harwell retired from performing with the band two years ago and passed away after a short stay in hospice care. While naltrexone is usually tolerated well, it can have side effects that can range in severity.

Treatment

It can also serve as a step toward sobriety while minimizing the need for medically-supervised detox in residential alcohol treatment. Unlike some other more expensive treatment options, the Sinclair Method is cost-effective and can be done at home. Because people feel less pleasure when they drink, they find it much easier to drink less. While this approach is less common in the United States, it has become much more widely used in Europe. John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine. For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

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Additionally, steve harwell alcholism alcohol can compromise the liver’s ability to regenerate, making it increasingly susceptible to failure when damaged. While you might perceive it as a mere habit that can be easily shaken off, the health consequences of long-term alcohol abuse are far more severe. The tragic reality of alcoholism isn’t just a series of bad choices; it’s a chronic disease that can be as relentless and unforgiving as any other.

What killed Smash Mouth’s Steve Harwell? Singer dies after suffering liver failure from years of addiction and drugs

Some medical institutions even require a time period someone needs to be sober for before being eligible to be placed on the transplant waiting list. For example, Johns Hopkins University in Maryland says alcoholics need to be sober for at least six months before they can be considered for a liver transplant. It is more common, however, for acute liver failure to occur in people who have no prior history of liver problems. Chronic liver disease is more common than acute and was the ninth leading cause of death in the US in 2020, behind 56,000 fatalities. Chronic liver failure on the other hand, is when the organ loses its ability to function over months to years due to damage compounded over time. Below, DailyMail.com explains what liver failure is and how the condition can lead to death.

Steve Harwell, the former lead singer of Smash Mouth, has entered hospice care as he suffers from the final stage of liver failure, according to sources. “I’ve tried so hard to power through my physical and mental health issues and to play in front of you one last time, but I just wasn’t able to,” Harwell had said in a news release. Many patients may already have chronic liver disease caused by factors such as  consuming an abundance of alcohol. The musician, who struggled with alcoholism, was diagnosed with the heart ailment cardiomyopathy in 2013; and subsequently a neurological condition which affected his memory and speech. Doctors are typically able to decide whether or not a patient is a transplant candidate — and, if so, get them listed for a transplant — within a day, Lucero says. The challenge with acute liver failure patients, though, is that they “have to be able to agree to take lifelong immune suppression to prevent rejection of the organ,” Lucero explains.

Throughout his life, Harwell battled with alcohol abuse, which ultimately took a toll on his health. In his announcement, Hayes mentioned Harwell “passed peacefully and comfortably” surrounded by loved ones, just a day after being reported to be under hospice care. Symptoms of liver failure include abdominal pain, jaundice — yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes — and severe fatigue.

• His distinctive voice and memorable performances had left an indelible mark on the music industry.
• The Sinclair Method can help people reduce their drinking without quitting drinking entirely.
• Steve Harwell, former lead singer of Smash Mouth, tragically passed away due to chronic liver failure on September 4, 2023.
• However, his own poor health and reported alcohol abuse affected several performances throughout the years.
• Unlike some other more expensive treatment options, the Sinclair Method is cost-effective and can be done at home.
• Harwell later developed Wernicke’s encephalopathy, a sudden brain and memory disorder that’s caused by a lack of vitamin B1, which causes brain damage, the Cleveland Clinic explains.

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“And if it’s given early enough, it can help avoid the need for a liver transplant.” Patients may also receive a special form of continual dialysis, which can help decrease the amount of ammonia in their body, she adds. For instance, although chronic alcohol consumption doesn’t directly cause acute liver failure, it “decreases the threshold to develop drug-induced liver injury,” Lucero says. At the most severe stage, this scarring is called cirrhosis, Kushner explains. “You can still have actually a functioning liver that has a lot of scarring,” she says, but eventually the scarring will likely impact liver function and lead to liver failure.

Mental Health

If you experience such symptoms after taking naltrexone, you should contact your doctor immediately. It needs to be used correctly and consistently in order for it to be effective. They appreciate the outpouring of love and condolences from fans and the music community. The Harwell family and loved ones are grieving the loss of Steve Harwell, who passed away on September 2023.

• Steve Harwell, the iconic lead vocalist of Smash Mouth, passed away at 56 on September 4, 2023, in his home in Boise, Idaho.
• He was previously hospitalized because of liver failure stemming from years of alcoholism and substance abuse and was receiving treatment in the hospital for the same.
• Sinclair first observed the effects of naltrexone on drinking behavior in his animal research.
• By breaking down the barriers of stigma, we pave the way for a more empathetic understanding of addiction and create an environment where recovery can flourish.
• The musician, who struggled with alcoholism, was diagnosed with the heart ailment cardiomyopathy in 2013; and subsequently a neurological condition which affected his memory and speech.
• The artist, whose band is best known for the 1999 hit “All Star,” had been in hospice care, according to representative Robert Hayes.

While Steve Harwell may no longer be with us, his music’s memory and impact will endure, serving as a source of comfort and inspiration for his family and countless fans worldwide. Steve’s life journey was filled with triumphs and challenges, and his family stood by him throughout his health struggles. Steve Harwell will be remembered for his musical contributions and his larger-than-life personality and charisma that captured the hearts of many. It is a stark reminder of the dangers of substance abuse and its potentially fatal consequences. Harwell’s passing underscores the need for greater awareness and support for individuals dealing with addiction.