Look Back on Demi Lovato's Road to Recovery 6 Months After Relapsing

It’s been six months since Demi Lovato sorrowfully revealed she relapsed after six years of sobriety. 

She shared her story in June in the song “Sober”, where she lamented the damage it caused with her family and fans. “Mama, I’m so sorry I’m not sober anymore / And Daddy please forgive me for the drinks spilled on the floor / To the ones who never left me / We’ve been down this road before I’m so sorry, I’m not sober anymore,” the 26-year-old sings in the ballad. 

Her confession was seen as a positive step toward recovery, however, just over a month later, the singer was rushed to the hospital for an overdose. First responders gave her the overdose reversal drug Narcan, and she was reported to be “awake and with her family” hours after entering the hospital. 

While Demi’s overdose came as a shock to many, it was not surprising to her friends a source previously reported. “She had a sober coach who she cut out of her life a few months ago. She’s been in a downward spiral ever since and has not been doing well,” the source told E! News. “She’s been heavily using and her friends have been very worried that this was going to happen.”

Another source also touched on her decision to release “Sober,” despite the understanding that Demi was still under the influence. They shared, “She made the decision to come out publicly about her relapse recently because she thought she could inspire her fans and it would help her keep on track, but she has been battling her own demons for months.”

Moreover, Demi had begun to “distance” herself from friends and people on her team. “Everyone has been urging her to get help with her life coach, and to seek treatment again, but Demi thought she could handle it on her own,” the second source said.

According to a source, the hospitalization was a “huge wake-up call” for Demi. “This was going on for a few weeks and the warning signs were there. She slipped up and thought she could handle it,” the insider explained. “Demi doesn’t want to die and she’s very grateful to be alive. She will be leaving the hospital and heading straight to rehab. Her family has been by her side supporting her and is getting her the help she needs.”

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for TIME

While the former actress was reported to be “stable and alert” following the night of partying, she remained in the hospital so she could focus on “getting better.”

Meanwhile, fans began to blame Demi’s backup dancer and friend Dani Vitale for encouraging Demi to drink, despite knowing Demi struggled with sobriety. As people flooded Vitale’s social media accounts with accusatory comments, Dani took the drastic step of releasing a statement denying responsibility. In the passionate Instagram post, she wrote, “I care about Demi just like all of you do. I have not said anything about this situation now because her recovery has been of the most importance. I was not with Demi when the incident happened, but I am with her now, and will continue to be because she means to the world to me just as she does to all of you.”

“There is no need for any negativity towards the ones who care about Demi at this time. There is too much of it in this world as it is,” Dani added.

Demi herself had yet to break her silence about the events that led to her hospitalization, but more speculation mounted as a week passed and she had yet to leave the hospital. Then, news emerged that the star was sick and suffering from extreme nausea and high fever.

Days later, a source said, “She will be released in the next few days and the plan is for her to go to rehab. She is starting to grasp the severity of what happened and that she almost died.”

With the help of her friends, family and medical experts, they made a recovery plan and Demi released a statement to her fans, assuring them of her health. “I now need time to heal and focus on my sobriety and road to recovery. The love you have all shown me will never be forgotten and I look forward to the day where I can say I came out on the other side. I will keep fighting,” she wrote. 

Source: Read Full Article