We’ve heard many celebrity addiction stories in our lifetime. The entertainment industry and drugs seem to go hand in hand. Yet, not all who struggled with addiction and suffered an overdose live to tell the tale. Demi Lovato is opening up about her struggles with addiction, her most recent overdose, and how she’s hopeful about the future in a new documentary. On March 23, viewers got a personal look into pop-star Demi Lovato’s experience with addiction, her overdose, and her recovery journey. The singer left no rocks unturned in the first of 2 episodes of her new YouTube documentary series: Dancing with the Devil. In the documentary, Lovato, her friends, and family members, and even the doctor who helped her after her 2018 overdose spoke in the documentary – leaving nothing to the imagination. The docuseries sheds a unique light on the absolute and ugly truth about addiction.
Demi Lovato’s History of Substance Abuse
By the time the rest of the world notices someone’s addiction, you’re often seeing them at the end of the line. At this point, things start crashing down, and they’re just holding onto the last thread of hope. Many struggling with substance abuse have a story that begins at a very young age. Lovato’s story was no different. In the documentary, she shares how her father, who she described as an alcoholic and addict was her first contact with substance use disorders. He was abusive to her mother, and Lovato witnessed some of this abuse as a child. Her father was also reportedly diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, two common co-occurring disorders with addiction. One study estimates that about 61% of people with bipolar disorder have a history of drug and alcohol use disorder. Among those with schizophrenia, almost 47% have a severe problem with drugs or alcohol as they attempt to self-medicate for their condition. Various estimates also recognize that children of parents who struggle with addiction are at higher risk of developing an addiction themselves. Lovato’s mother also opened up about her Xanax misuse in the documentary. Reflecting on her life, Lovato spoke openly about how her substance misuse affected her life. She confessed to using alcohol as a student and tried cocaine for the first time at age 17. At this time, she was already working for the Disney Channel. In the first episode, she explains how she used cocaine and Xanax together, a deadly combination that led her to even more dangerous drug use. https://youtu.be/jTiiD8L811w
The Infamous Overdose
Since 2010, tabloids everywhere were highlighting Lovato’s struggles with substance abuse. Her journey through rehabs and relapses was shared by gossip publications all the time. Finally, by March 2018, the start was celebrating a huge milestone for any recovering addict: 6 years sober. However, in July 2018, media outlets were flooded with reports that the singer had suffered an overdose.
Dancing With The Devil
In the documentary, Demi says, “I picked up a bottle of red wine that night, and it wasn’t even 30 minutes before I called someone that I knew had drugs on them.” That night, she proceeded to try drugs she hadn’t tried before, like methamphetamine. She continues sharing other experiences and shares that she mixed meth with molly, cocaine, marijuana, alcohol, and OxyContin at one party. Reflecting, she realizes that alone should have killed her. At one point, she recalls asking her dealer if he had Xanax and cocaine, to which he said no, but he did have heroin and crack cocaine. Lovato keeps on sharing how at that point, heroin became her recreational drug of choice. The night of the overdose, Lovato shares specific details of what she remembers. She told her friends she was going to bed but instead chose to see her dealer. She used heroin, which she now assumes was probably Fentanyl. After providing the drugs and taking advantage of Lovato, the dealer left her alone. When her assistant found her in the morning, Lovato was naked and blue. At 11:24 am on July 24, 2018, a 911 call was made, and paramedics rushed Lovato to the hospital, administering Narcan in hopes of saving Lovato’s life. Lovato suffered 3 strokes and a heart attack due to the overdose. She also suffered brain damage from the strokes that now cause her blind spots in her vision and can now drive. She suffered multiple organ failures, so doctors gave her dialysis in an attempt to save her life. In the documentary, they share that if it had been another 10 minutes without treatment, odds are Lovato would have died. https://youtu.be/EAg69LaLlS0
Demi Lovato’s Recovery
Since her overdose in 2018, Lovato has focused on her recovery. She shared that the quarantine during COVID-19 lockdowns was helpful to her. She took the time to address past trauma and rediscover herself. Lovato just released a new album with a similar name to her docu-series: Dancing with the Devil … the Art of Starting Over. This documentary, and Demi Lovato’s story, is a reminder that addiction can reach anyone. It doesn’t matter how wealthy, successful, or perfect someone is. Addiction doesn’t discriminate. Lovato’s vulnerability and strength in this series demonstrate this.
You Deserve Help Too
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, don’t wait any longer. Substance abuse is a devastating disease that can take your life. Remember that you, too, are worth it. You deserve help. At Lighthouse Recovery Institute, our mission is to help you get the help you need to get better. Call 866-308-2090 today and speak with our caring addiction specialists today. Our calls are free and 100% confidential. We believe you have the power to beat this addiction and start walking toward recovery. When your life is at risk, one phone call can make a difference.
