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Demi Lovato Opens Up About Bipolar Disorder, Addiction

Jun 27, 2016
  • Emotional Validation
Demi Lovato posing

Pop Star Shares Struggle With Mental Health and Substance Abuse

Ever since the 2010 incident where she punched a backup dancer on tour, Demi Lovato’s mental health and addiction have been in the spotlight. Now, six years later, she’s shared just how much being a young star affected her.

In a recent interview, 23-year-old Lovato told American Way magazine that she has struggled with body image from a young age, and was battling self-harm and an eating disorder at the height of her career.

"I lived fast and I was going to die young," she said. "I didn't think I would make it to 21."

After her starring role in Disney’s Camp Rock, Lovato said she used cocaine, OxyContin, and alcohol to self-medicate. Her rock bottom came when she assaulted her dancer.

She sought help and checked into rehab, where she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder — a condition she shares with her late father — and was treated for bulimia — which she shares with her mother. But she didn’t fully combat her addictions, so she checked into a sober house.

There she was finally able to overcome her addictions. She hasn’t had a drink in four years, and still attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings regularly.

"I didn't go into treatment thinking, 'OK, now I'm going to be an inspiration,'" she said. "At times I was resentful for having that kind of responsibility, but now, it's really become a part of my life. It holds me accountable."

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Lovato now spends a great deal of her time normalizing mental illness, advocating on social media, and lobbying Capitol Hill.

“The more you talk about mental illness, the less of a taboo it becomes,” she said.

“As a pop star, I can say, ‘Hey, I’ve got bipolar disorder — it’s nothing that anyone can be ashamed of.’ ”

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Kate Turner
Kate Turner
Kate is the web content producer at NewLifeOutlook. She has a background in photography, journalism, design and editing.
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