Natalya Andreichenko, the acclaimed Russian actress, revealed on March 5, 2025, to viewers of the show ‘Let Them Talk’ about her harrowing battle with alcohol addiction during the 1980s and her close encounters with death. Her story provides not just insight but also inspiration, showcasing her transformation following unique and life-altering experiences.
During the show, Andreichenko described her first clinical death occurring during her rehabilitation phase, which she undertook voluntarily, realizing she needed help with her alcoholism. "Around the 1980s, I sought assistance," she shared, recounting how her father played a pivotal role. He located doctors and drove her to their unassuming apartment on the outskirts of Moscow.
"We got there, and the room was quite typical—centered around a 10-meter kitchen with additional space for the doctors and my father. There were three doctors present, along with my mom," Andreichenko recalled. This small, intimate setting belied the dramatic events about to take place. The doctors, she said, agreed to perform what they termed as a complex operation for $150—a significant sum during the Soviet era—that involved testing new medications on her.
"We knew I was part of their experiment," she said candidly, illustrating the desperation and risk involved. Soon after receiving the injection, Andreichenko experienced something she described as beyond comprehension. Initially, she felt indifferent. "Nothing happened for what seemed like forever, and they even offered me beer, which I declined," she explained.
But then, the reaction began. "I started choking, feeling my soul detach from my body," Andreichenko continued, her voice filled with emotion. What followed was not just panic for her father, who yelled for help upon seeing her unresponsive, but also what she characterized as the most euphoric sensation of her life. "I saw my grandmother cooking, even as I could simultaneously observe stars and galaxies. I felt omnipotent!"
This moment of enlightenment, as she described, opened up vast channels of information flowing through her. "It was like I was experiencing everything all at once. I felt infinite," Andreichenko described. To her father, who simultaneously grappled with despair and urgency, the sight of his daughter’s lifeless form triggered panic, and he shouted for the doctors to revive her.
"They began to resuscitate me, and I was watching it all from above. I didn’t want to return; I felt the happiest I’ve ever felt," she reflected, indicating the intense emotional gravity of her experience. The actress vividly remembered the transition back to her body: "They brought out this device, connected headphones, and just like this, I was back. The shock of returning was jarring; my first thought was, 'You’re back—now you’re in jail.'" Her insight pointed to how the experience shifted her perception of reality.
Following this moment, Andreichenko asserted she was fundamentally changed. “Now I think and act differently. I believe I was left here to do good and share joy with others,” she stated, emphasizing her renewed mission stemming from her near-death experience.
After this incident, the actress moved to America, where another brush with death occurred when she was 34. Although the details surrounding the second experience remain less visible, its impact was equally defining. Andreichenko did not shy away from discussing the challenges she faced transitioning her life, both personally and professionally, as she settled abroad.
Today, as she reflects on the tumultuous path of her past, Natalya Andreichenko embodies resilience. By speaking openly about her struggles with addiction and life-threatening episodes, she aims to connect with others perhaps facing similar challenges. “Irrespective of where we come from or what we have endured, there exists hope and transformation,” she articulated.
Not only has her struggle with alcohol shaped her identity, but her experiences have also shaped her outlook on life and relationships. Andreichenko urges others not to shy away from seeking help when needed and to pursue paths of self-discovery and healing.