Demi Lovato Posts Important Message on Day She Would Have Been 7 Years Sober
Editor's Note
If you or a loved one is affected by addiction, the following post could be triggering. You can contact SAMHSA’s hotline at 1-800-662-4357.
On Friday, Demi Lovato took to Instagram to share an important message about addiction recovery on the day she would have been seven years sober. The “Sorry Not Sorry” singer, who was hospitalized for a drug overdose in July, highlighted that recovery is rarely linear.
Lovato posted a series of stories on Instagram about sobriety and her journey in recovery. She wrote:
Today I would have been seven years sober. I don’t regret going out because I needed to make those mistakes but I must never forget that’s exactly what they are: mistakes. Grateful that AA/NA never shuts the door on you no matter how many times you have to start your time over. I didn’t lose 6 years, I’ll always have that experience but now I just get to add to that time with a new journey and time count. If you’ve relapsed and are afraid to get help again, just know it’s possible to take that step towards recovery. If you’re alive today, you can make it back. You’re worth it.
After her overdose in July, Lovato spent several weeks in the hospital before checking into rehab. She reportedly stayed for 90 days before checking out. In August she shared that this additional treatment was part of her recovery journey.
“I have always been transparent about my journey with addiction,” Lovato wrote. “What I’ve learned is that this illness is not something that disappears or fades with time. It is something I must continue to overcome and have not done yet. … I will keep fighting.”
Lovato has been outspoken about her experiences with mental health, eating disorder and addiction in the past. Her latest message underscores her commitment to recovery and advocacy for others who may be struggling. If you are struggling too, know that you are not alone and that there are resources out there. like NA and AA, and the SAMHSA hotline at 1-800-662-4357.
Image via Creative Commons/Juan Luis Garcia
Renée Fabian was the features editor at The Mighty. She has also written for The Washington Post, VICE, Healthline, Talkspace, The Fix, The Establishment, The Culture Trip, and GRAMMY.com, among others. Renée was named a 2019 AHCJ Comparative Effectiveness Research fellow, a 2020 USC Center for Health Journalism California fellow, and holds a master's degree in journalism from the University of Southern California and a master's degree in psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles. You can follow her on Twitter @ryfabian.
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