Despite the causes of Philip Seymour Hoffman’s death being tragically clear, the official toxicology report has confirmed that the late actor died due to a lethal concoction of prescription drugs, cocaine and heroine on Sunday, February 2, 2014. CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta explained how hardened drud addicts can build up a tolerance, increasing the danger of overdose.

Philip Seymour HoffmanConfirmed: Philip Seymour Hoffman died of a drug overdose

"They're not feeling [the effect of the drug], but it's still having an impact on their ability to breathe, and that's the real problem. It's called stacking, “ he explained. "You can stack the same drug too close together, or you can start to stack other drugs, one on top of the other. That's how people get into trouble," he adds. “They do call it accidental death as well."

The names of the prescription drugs weren’t revealed by the medical examiner, so it’s impossible to know which one had the most telling effect. Dr. Charles McKay, a medical toxicologist for Hartford Hospital in Connecticut and a spokesman for the American College of Medical Toxicology. Advertisement said: “There's a difference between a stimulant death, which would be cocaine and the amphetamines, and a narcotic death, like heroin.”

Hoffman, who was nominated for Academy Awards four times, won the Oscar for best actor in 2006 for his portrayal of writer Truman Capote in "Capote." He earned Academy Award nominations for roles in "Charlie Wilson's War," "Doubt," and "The Master."

Cate Blanchett, who recently picked up the Bafta for Best Actress, and is favourite at tomorrow night’s Oscars ceremony to win the equivalent award, paid tribute to Seymour Hoffaman in her acceptance speech, saying: "I would like to dedicate this to an actor who has been a continual, profound touchstone for me, a monumental presence who is now so sadly in absence: the late, great Philip Seymour Hoffman."