Rapid consumption of a lot of alcohol can overload the liver’s ability to keep up, causing the blood alcohol concentration to rise rapidly. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the liver converts toxic alcohol-from beer, wine, or hard liquor-to nontoxic energy at a rate of approximately one drink per hour, depending on factors like gender, size, age, medical conditions (e.g., heart disease), and whether other drugs were used in addition to alcohol. Sadly, she drank a lethal amount of alcohol-nearly five times the British drunk-driving limit.Īlcohol poisoning is when a person has extremely high levels of toxic alcohol in his or her system. She gave up drugs after receiving treatment in 2008 but had trouble staying away from alcohol-in fact, Amy had just resumed drinking a few days before her death after 3 weeks of abstinence from it. Her music is unique.In October 2011, the coroner who conducted Amy Winehouse’s autopsy declared that the Grammy-winning singer “died by misadventure.” Translation: Amy died of accidental alcohol poisoning.Īmy famously battled an addiction to drugs and alcohol, and had returned to rehab only months before her death. "When I go through rough patches, I like to listen to her music, it helps me and sums up how I'm feeling. "We should remember her for her talent, style, attitude that no-one else dared to have. "She's remembered as this drug addict - that's not how we should remember her at all," 16-year-old student Reece Fielding said.
The 10th anniversary has also provoked introspection over Winehouse's memory, which had been shaped by the tabloid narrative surrounding her drinking, drug use and relationship with ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil.
"I want people to remember her as someone who represents Camden, the jazz girl who made it big," the health technology manager said.Ĭairo-born Shaker added: "She needed someone to look after her, not use her like a goose laying golden eggs, take her money, abuse her." "Looking at her fall has made us realise that we're all humans and need to treat each other with respect," Vyas said. It was characterised by her distinct jazz style - which contrasted heavily with the pop music of the time - and her destructive relationship with alcohol and drugs. The anniversary of the "Back to Black" and "Rehab" singer's death has inspired fans to look back at her short but impactful career.
In 100 years, everybody will remember her songs." "I was dreaming to find a talent like Amy. We were here to defend Amy with our life," Shaker said.
She never used a knife and fork - her face was full of tomato," said Shaker, 70.Ī small VIP lounge furnished with plush red cushions and sofas gave Winehouse somewhere to shelter from intrusive fans and paparazzi and work on her music. "All she ate was chicken wings, meatballs and tomato salsa. Paintings of her fill the walls alongside several photos of Shaker posing with Winehouse, who called him a "second dad" and invited celebrities including Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise and George Clooney to the premises.
The Jazz After Dark bar in central London, often frequented by Winehouse, is now a portrait gallery in her honour thanks to owner and artist Sam Shaker. "Now, after 10 years, it's my moment to pay my condolences," the Camden local told AFP.