Warhol wasn't a junkie (surprise,surprise) Due to a serious childhood illness (St. Vitus disease, a complication of Scarlet Fever) he had an extremely poor tolerance to pharmaceuticals. After he was shot and nearly died he lived with a unbearable amount of pain and took no meds until the fateful decision to have gall bladder surgery. He died after hospital staff failed to monitor fluid intake after surgery causing a heart attack. His family successfully sued for negligence.