Michael Madsen was making huge strides in his restoration from alcoholism … proper up till simply earlier than his tragic demise.

Sources with direct information inform TMZ … Madsen was sober in current months, making a constant and valiant effort to show his life round. However, these near him stay unsure about his mind-set within the days main as much as his passing. Everybody round him hoped and believed he was nonetheless working his program.

The beloved actor spent years out and in of rehabilitation applications as he battled alcohol dependancy … whereas additionally battling melancholy and grappling with private hardships, like a troubled marriage — and his son’s premature demise. We’re advised he was consistently out and in of phases of making an attempt to get his alcoholism beneath management.

Regardless of his obstacles, Madsen all the time tried to increase a serving to hand by mentoring others with related troubles at a Malibu restoration facility.

As we reported … the “Kill Invoice” star was discovered unresponsive in his Malibu house final Thursday and was pronounced useless on the scene. His rep advised us he suffered cardiac arrest, whereas an official reason for demise hasn’t been launched.

It’s unclear as of now if he had been ingesting within the days main as much as his demise … or whether or not alcohol performed any issue in any respect.

Madsen’s longtime buddy and assistant Dougie Smith revealed to us the actor appeared in good well being almost per week earlier than his passing, after a routine physician’s appointment for his rotator cuff … making his demise all of the extra stunning.

Michael was 67.