Aaron Carter’s Legacy: Addressing Co-Occurring Disorders and Mental Health

LOS ANGELES, California — The entertainment world continues to mourn the loss of singer Aaron Carter, who tragically passed away on November 5, 2022, due to drowning at his California home, compounded by the effects of difluoroethane and alprazolam. He was 34 years old and a father to an eleven-month-old son, Prince.

Carter initially gained fame in the late 1990s with his self-titled album, featuring popular tracks like “Aaron’s Party (Come and Get It)” and “I Want Candy.” However, throughout his life, he battled substance misuse, including multiple arrests for possession of marijuana and struggles with benzodiazepines and opiates. In 2017, he disclosed that he had completed a rehabilitation program.

“Life, it was pretty tough,” Carter said during an interview in 2017. “I dealt with a lot of trauma, a lot of loss, a lot of loneliness… [But] my goal is to be the phoenix that rises from the ashes.” His candidness about his battles with mental health, including dissociative identity disorder and manic depression, resonated with many of his fans.

Prior to his untimely passing, Carter’s personal struggles intensified. In a September 2019 appearance on a talk show, he openly discussed his mental health diagnoses and the various medications prescribed to him, including Xanax and Seroquel. He even admitted to huffing compressed gas, which is often associated with cardiac issues.

After his death, those close to Carter, including his former fiancée Melanie Martin, shared their experiences. Martin remarked on the challenges of intervening when someone is grappling with co-occurring disorders, emphasizing that Carter expressed a desire for change, but often succumbed to his demons.

“I tried to get him help, and he did want help,” said Martin in a January 2023 interview. “He was a good person and a good dad, but he had a lot of sadness in his heart from his life.”

Moreover, the ongoing discourse around Carter’s life has catalyzed initiatives to raise awareness about mental health and substance misuse. Director Brian Farmer revealed that a pilot for a show titled “Group,” which centers around group therapy and mental health awareness, had been completed with Carter in a lead role.

“Aaron was so excited about the show and helping raise awareness for mental health, a topic he was very passionate about,” Farmer stated in a November 2022 release. This reflects Carter’s commitment to using his platform for positive impact.

In October 2024, Carter’s sister, Angel, announced the launch of the Songs for Tomorrow benefit concert, aimed at raising awareness for the Kids Mental Health Foundation and honoring her brother. Speaking about her brother’s legacy, she emphasized, “I know Aaron better than anybody, and that is exactly what he, in his right mind, would have wanted to do.”

Despite the painful narrative surrounding Carter’s life, his family and advocates work tirelessly to reshape the conversation around co-occurring disorders, aiming to help others facing similar challenges. Stephanie Marquesano, founder of the harris project — a non-profit dedicated to addressing co-occurring disorders — underlined the importance of understanding these intertwined issues.

“Too many people struggling with both mental health challenges and substance use are misunderstood,” said Marquesano. “’The Missing Issue’ is an opportunity to change that by bringing awareness and reshaping how these stories are told.”

The harris project, in collaboration with Us Weekly, recently launched a special edition titled The Missing Issue, featuring stories of various celebrities, including Carter, who faced similar battles. The edition aims to provide context and insights to foster better understanding and support.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health and/or substance use, it’s critical to seek help. Reach out to professionals or call emergency services for assistance.