Five years ago, Demi Lovato had hit rock bottom. Her secret battles with depression, bulimia and bipolar disorder had led her down a path of destruction. At just nineteen years old, the pop sensation relied completely on drugs and alcohol to maintain her celebrity. Her dependance was so bad that Demi admits she couldn’t last 30 minutes without sniffing cocaine.
In addition to the slippery slope she was sliding down, Demi was also no stranger to self-harm. The singer would often cut herself as a coping mechanism against what she was facing with her mental health.
By the grace of God, Demi survived that time in her life, and has taken major strides to becoming a healthier and happier person.
The mental health awareness advocate has officially been sober for five years last week. Demi took to social media to share her triumph on Instagram.
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Along with the photo from her Twelve Steps AA Companion app, Demi reflected on the past five years, and what’s gotten her to where she is today.
“So grateful. It’s been quite the journey. So many ups and downs. So many times I wanted to relapse but sat on my hands and begged God to relieve the obsession. I’m so proud of myself but I couldn’t have done it without my higher power (God), my family, friends and everyone else who supported me. Feeling humbled and joyful today. Thank you guys for sticking by my side and believing in me.”
In contrast, back in 2010, Demi elaborated on the extent of her cocaine addiction to Access Hollywood:
“Something I’ve never talked about before, but with my drug use I could hide it to where I would sneak drugs. I couldn’t go without 30 minutes to an hour without cocaine and I would bring it on airplanes. I would smuggle it basically and just wait until everyone in first class would go to sleep and I would do it right there. I’d sneak to the bathroom and I’d do it.”
Wow, how far she’s come. Demi’s life today couldn’t be more different.
Her memoir, Staying Strong: 365 Days a Year, details more about her secret battles and the help she received to get better. The singer has been open about her faith throughout her career, and often credits God to be what helped her through her rehabilitation journey.
“I grew up Christian and I believe in God. When I’m in L.A., I don’t talk about it that much because people are very judgmental, but I just feel like God gave me a voice, not just to sing with,” she told Cosmopolitan.
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Demi says she’s lived through some horrible things, but the way God has used her and her experience to reach other people has made it all worth it.
“With the obstacles I’ve overcome, I can help people.”
