Demi Lovato’s Relapse: The Ongoing Battle Of Addiction

Demi Lovato’s Relapse In Hollywood Hills

On July 24, pop-singer Demi Lovato, 25, suffered an apparent overdose at her home in California’s lux Hollywood Hills. When emergency services arrived, Lovato was unconscious and had to be revived with Narcan (also known as naloxone, an anti-overdose medication). While neither Lovato’s family or sources close to her have revealed the drug behind the overdose, Lovato has admitted to the use of Cocaine, Marijuana, and Adderall in the past.

She was rushed to Cedars-Sinai hospital in Los Angeles and remained in hospital care for the next 12 days. After reports of a Heroin overdose circulated online, her publicist released the statement: “Demi is awake and with her family who want to express thanks to everyone for the love, prayers, and support. Some of the information being reported is incorrect, and they respectfully ask for privacy and not speculation, as her health and recovery is the most important thing right now.”

LAPD took an “item of evidence” into custody which was drug-related, though not typically linked to Heroin.

Upon her release, Lovato has agreed to enter an inpatient rehab program at an undisclosed location. On Sunday, August 5, Lovato released her first statement since the incident via Instagram.

6 Years Of Sobriety: A Fight ‘Every Single Day’

Lovato, a 16-year entertainment industry veteran and Disney channel alum, has long been a champion of mental health awareness. Previously, she admitted to dealing with addiction and co-occurring disorders like mental illness and an eating disorder. Those close to the “Heart Attack” singer describe those 6 years as a fight “every single day” to stay clean.

For years, Lovato struggled to sustain a healthy, balanced lifestyle despite her active career – in a decade she’s released 10 albums, acted in 9 films and dozens of TV shows, and headlined 5 tours. According to one recent study, a “person with depression is at least 50% more disabled than someone with angina, arthritis, asthma, or diabetes.” Such impairment can make even the simplest of tasks exhausting or unbearable. Many turn to illegal substances to get by or feel “normal.”

Dianna De La Garza, Lovato’s mother, 55, opens up about her daughter’s struggles in her 2018 autobiography, Falling with Wings. She recalls the downward spiral fueled by drugs and alcohol that her daughter endured. She also detailed Lovato’s troubles in an interview with People Magazine.

In 2010, Lovato entered an inpatient rehab facility near Chicago. She left rehab three months later, noticeably improved. Still, she relapsed and went to live in a sober living home shortly afterward. In March of 2018, Lovato celebrated 6 years of sobriety, marked by the turbulences of facing addiction daily. According to a People Magazine source:

Recognizing The Signs Of Addiction

Family and friends closest to Lovato have all noted the signs contributing to her overdose. In her recent single “Sober,” Lovato talks openly about her struggle with recovery:

And at the end:

It’s important to remember that for many, relapse is a part of recovery. Relapse is a process, typically beginning with internal struggles that manifest themselves in particular ways. Signs of a (potential) relapse include:

• Anger
• Moodiness
• Sudden anxiety
• Erratic eating and sleeping habits
• Lying
• Failing to attend support groups
• Return of withdrawal symptoms

The brain’s chemistry is altered by addiction to the point that cravings can cause a loss of control over one’s behavior. Furthermore, addiction treatment does not end once the program does. Patients should continue counseling via a therapist or in a support group like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. For those with co-occurring disorders like Lovato, regularly participating in therapy can help an individual maintain their sobriety.

If you or a loved one is suffering from a substance use disorder or is in danger of relapsing from one, contact a treatment provider today to discuss rehab options.