I had been anticipating the date of July 26th for months, counting down the days until I got to see one of my favorite singers and role models in concert in my own home state of New Jersey; however, it wasn't until Tuesday, July 24th that I realized this would no longer be happening. During my commute home from work, I received a text from my friend saying Demi Lovato had overdosed. Within three months of the singer's announcement of six years of sobriety, Demi was hospitalized for an apparent overdose, a clear cry for help that could have taken her life.
At first, I couldn't believe this news. I convinced myself that it had to have been fabricated by the tabloids or paparazzi that will do anything to sell a story. But, it was true. The 25-year-old singer, performer, daughter, sister, and mental health advocate had in fact overdosed in her Hollywood Hills home. While her sudden relapse and hospitalization may have come as a shock to fans and spectators, there were many signs that were missed or ignored leading up to Tuesday's incident.
Demi's spiral seemingly began post her six-year sobriety anniversary. In the midst of her successful Tell Me You Love Me World Tour, the singer announced on Twitter that she was canceling a portion of her South American tour in April allegedly due to production issues. Later in June, the singer also withdrew from her London concert because of illness and swollen vocal cords. In hindsight, it's hard not speculate other causes for her cancellations, especially after the release of her song, "Sober," suggesting her relapse. The emotional song was paired with a music video with graphic details of Demi's struggles with addiction, previous and current.
Lovato was met with love and support from fans all over after disclosing aspects of her relapse. She may have her flaws, but she is respected and supported because of her openness about her own struggles with addiction, self-harm, eating disorders, and mental illness throughout the years. She believes that her vocalization and openness about her own issues, something that we rarely see from Hollywood stars, can help others who may be going through similar struggles.
In early July, Demi once again shocked her followers when she fired her longtime manager and cut ties with her rehab business, CAST Recovery Centers, during the middle of her tour. If that wasn't enough to raise eyebrows, Demi struggled to remember the words to "Sober" at her last performance prior to her overdose. After forgetting the words, she cursed, laughed, and walked off stage.
Fast forward two days and Demi Lovato's name is everywhere; the radio, online, on television, on Snapchat, but attached to her name are the words hospital, overdose, and heroin. While her people have released statements that heroin was not the drug at fault, she fell victim once again to drugs, to addiction, to a disease, a disease that she has been fighting for many years and one that no one should ever have to fight alone. With the high possibility of relapse, people struggling with addiction need support from others to continue to pursue sobriety and to get help when needed. The reality of this situation is that we can no longer miss or ignore signs that may lead to relapse or any type of harm to a human. We cannot be afraid to speak up and say something, especially when it involves ones that we love.
Demi was awake and stable the morning after her overdose and was surrounded by her family in the hospital. She is lucky to be alive and has a long road of recovery ahead of her. I am heartbroken, but I know that she will get the help that she needs until she is healthy enough again to be the role model that her fans all know.
