Dr Drew Pinsky said Presley Gerber’s death highlights the progressive and potentially fatal nature of substance use disorder, even when patients have access to residential treatment. He raised concerns about patients directing their own care and pursuing unapproved alternatives instead of following evidence-based medical protocols.

Gerber had reportedly described travelling to Mexico for an ibogaine treatment, although the substance is not FDA-approved and has been linked to dangerous heart arrhythmias. Official toxicology results were pending, while emergency logs indicated a suspected overdose and cardiac arrest; experts also warned that relapse during or shortly after rehab can be especially deadly because tolerance may have fallen. Evidence-based options for opioid addiction include medicines such as buprenorphine, methadone and naltrexone, where appropriate.