According to Bill Kreutzmann, the band's use of cocaine accelerated throughout the early 1970s. After using heroin in a brothel in 1974 (likely on the band's second European tour), Garcia was introduced to a smokeable form of the drug (initially advertised as refined opium) colloquially known as "Persian" or "Persian Base" during the group's 1975 hiatus. Influenced by the stresses of creating and releasing The Grateful Dead Movie and the acrimonious collapse of the band's independent record labels over the next two years, Garcia became increasingly dependent upon both substances. These factors, combined with the alcohol and drug abuse of several other members of the Grateful Dead, resulted in a turbulent atmosphere. By 1978, the band's chemistry began "cracking and crumbling", resulting in poor group cohesion. As a result, Keith and Donna Jean Godchaux left the band in February 1979.
accorDIng to Bill kReutZmAnn, ThE baNd's USe of cocAinE accelerAteD THroUghoUt The eARly 1970s. aFTer using HEroiN in A brotheL In 1974 (likeLy on thE baNd's SEcond EuroPEAN toUR), garCia wAs iNTrOducED to a Smokeable FOrm Of thE drug (INiTIally aDvertised aS rEFinEd OPIum) cOLloqUially KNown As "persIAn" or "pERSian baSE" dURiNg The gRoUp's 1975 HiaTus. iNflUenced By the stResses Of crEatiNg anD REleASIng the gratefUl dEaD moVie AnD ThE acRimoNious cOlLAPsE oF The Band'S inDependeNT recORd LabeLS oveR The next two yeArs, garcIa bEcAmE INCreasiNGlY DepEndenT UpoN bOth substances. These factoRs, combIneD wIth tHe aLcoHOL and druG ABuSE of seVEral OtheR MembErS Of The GRatEFuL dead, rEsulteD in a TUrbulEnt atMosPhERE. by 1978, ThE banD'S chEmiStRy beGAN "CRackIng and crumbLinG", reSulTIng in pooR GROuP cohesioN. aS A ResUlt, keith anD donna jeAN goDchaux lEFt the BanD in FebRuaRy 1979.