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Actor's Death Spotlights Risk in Detoxing Alone

Between 5 and 25 percent of people who go through extreme alcohol withdrawal die as a result

Actor Nelsan Ellis, best known for his role as Lafayette Reynolds on the HBO series "True Blood," died suddenly this week at the age of 39. The actor struggled with drug and alcohol abuse for many years, NBC News reported.

Ellis’ manager said the actor's death was a result of heart failure after an attempt to quit drinking on his own.

The ease and low expense of managing detox at home can be tempting to individuals who struggle with addiction, but the process, if done quickly and without professional supervision, can be dangerous.

Between 5 and 25 percent of people who go through extreme alcohol withdrawal die as a result, according to a report in Alcohol Health & Research World.

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