Alex Murdaugh admitted to jurors that he has been using opioid drugs for more than twenty years.

At times, he said, he was spending as much as $50,000 a week on drugs. Murdaugh said his addiction began with a college football injury which lead to multiple surgeries and prescription pain medication. 

Murdaugh said that he soon became dependent. The accused killer also told the jurors that he had tried to get help several times but relapsed each time. Murdaugh said it was his addiction that led him to steal from the law firm, clients and his own family.

Murdaugh also said it was his addiction and paranoia that impelled him to lie about his whereabouts on the night of the murder. 

Nancy Grace talks with addiction expert Dr. William Morrone, Author of “American Narcan,"  about how the opiates could have affected Murdaugh's actions.