A depressed drug-user died of an overdose of methadone, an inquest heard.
Ian Bristow died on December 5 at his home in Juniper Way, Greenstead, Colchester.
The inquest at Colchester town hall yesterday heard from David Munson, who was staying with him at the time and said he had watched his friend take nearly 180 mgs of methadone in unprescribed tablets during the course of the day.
He said when the 51-year-old's mother came round to cook him dinner in the evening, Mr Bristow was so heavily under the influence of the drug that she had to spoonfeed him the meal.
Mr Munson put him to bed, where he was later found dead having choked on his own vomit.
Mr Munson said Mr Bristow had been very depressed and afraid to leave the house.
In notes addressed to Mr Bristow, which he had jotted down earlier in the day, he said: "You only feel safe in bed. You fear everything and you don't feel safe unless I stay at your house every night."
Essex Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray recorded an open verdict.
She said although Mr Bristow had been unhappy, she was not convinced he had intended to overdose on methadone.
Published Friday August 20, 2004
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