The Harrowing Story of What Addiction Does, and How You Can Overcome It
Addiction touches the lives of billions around the world.
Many of us suffer quietly with drugs and do not admit it because of the stigma surrounding addiction.
We do not want to be labeled “junky,” “addict,” or “dopehead.”
We fear judgment from others as being weak and lacking self-control.
Demi Lovato’s admission of addiction broke the barrier that holds so many of us, prisoners, to our addiction.
We fear what others will say or think.
Drug addiction is real, and it devours those from all walks of life, including pop stars.
You are not alone.
Does Our Past Cause Addiction?
Demi Lovato was robbed of a normal childhood because of her father’s own struggle with addiction to drugs and alcohol.
She remembers his drunken rages and violent outbursts.
Now 25-year-old Demi recalls being a depressed child often consumed with thoughts of death.
She often played out a scenario in her mind of what her funeral would be like.
At the age of 5, Demi began modeling and competing in beauty pageants.
She dove headfirst into acting and singing when she appeared on “Barney and Friends.”
Her school years were jaded by the taunting and bullying she endured.
Demi was called all kinds of names, and one that impacted her life was being labeled “fat.”
She made a vision board with pasted cutouts of slim celebrities she wanted to be like.
As a result of being called fat, Demi developed bulimia—frequently binging on food and purging it afterward.
She was later recruited by Disney Channel, where she starred on “As the Bell Rings” and “Camp Rock.”
At the age of 15, Demi began touring with the Jonas Brothers.
The lifestyle of acting while singing on the road became immensely overwhelming.
She was under immense stress to maintain a squeaky-clean life while being flexible enough to become a pop singer.
The stress Demi was under, coupled with her eating disorder and her father’s addiction, weighed heavily on her.
All while suffering from depression, things started to unravel.
At the age of 17, Demi had her first hit of cocaine. Her first time trying it was scary, but she began to love how it made her feel.
She began drinking alcohol and doing more cocaine.
As the stress of touring and acting increased, she started taking Adderall to help her keep up.
With drugs, alcohol, depression, and bulimia combined, she was at an explosive point in her life.
She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which helped explained the highs and lows she was experiencing.
Those around her noticed a change in her personality, such as her angry outbursts.
Demi Lovato’s addiction was so bad that she admitted to carrying bags of drugs around because she craved them.
Her manager got her help, but she managed to fake drug tests and find ways to keep using.
She can remember a day when she had used cocaine, Xanax, and alcohol and was unsure if she would overdose.
Demi Lovato’s rehab kept her sober for six years.
While sober, she found that she was still just as miserable as she was when she used drugs.
The team of people managing her controlled everything from what she ate to what she would wear.
She became overwhelmed and relapsed by drinking alcohol.
Later that night, she went out with friends and used drugs.
It was three months after her relapse that she overdosed and ended up in the hospital.
Demi had a sudden realization that she needed help.
She went back into rehab and has since lived a clean life that she is proud of.
Demi Lovato’s Addiction and Mental Disorders
Demi Lovato’s addiction intensified her bulimia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and suicidal tendencies.
Likewise, her existing mental disorders fueled her abuse of drugs.
She was caught in a vicious cycle that led to her addiction.
Drug Abuse Leads to Addiction
Flirting with drugs often opens the door to addiction.
All it takes is one time to get you hooked. Demi Lovato’s drug addiction is an example of this.
Demi’s addiction to cocaine happened the moment she “just tried” it.
She liked the way it made her feel.
When we are swimming in emotional pain, we want to feel better.
When drugs provide that outlet, guess what? We take it.
How does Demi Lovato’s addiction mirror our own?
The moment we “try” drugs, we begin a downward spiral just like Demi did.
Do you want to continue down that road the Demi Lovato was on, or do you want to be like her and grab your life back?
Get Help!
Take the first step and admit you have a problem.
Do not let the stigma of drug addiction stand in the way of you regaining control of your life.
Demi Lovato’s drug addiction story shows us just how dangerous drug abuse is.
How do you get treatment?
- Admit you need help.
- Call a professional because once you become dependent on drugs because you cannot tackle it alone. When you attempt to go the DIY route with treatment, you set yourself up for relapse.
- You will go through an intake process and a health screening.
- Instructions will be provided to you on which facility to go to.
- You will meet with therapists, counselors, and medical specialists who develop a tailored treatment plan.
- As an inpatient, you will go through detox to clean your body of all substances. This is done either through social methods or medically.
- Once you are stable, you will go to our “partial hospitalization” program, where you will continue treatment as a resident while easing back into your everyday life. The next step in the program is “outpatient.”
- As an outpatient, you will attend scheduled visits for treatment. If you need to schedule those visits around your busy life, we understand. We offer intensive outpatient therapy for such occasions.
Payment and Insurance
Our staff is more than happy to verify your insurance on your behalf to make things easier for you.
You also have the option to use our online verification form to do it yourself.
A Clean Life is a Great Life
We hope that sharing Demi Lovato’s addiction story with you is convincing enough to encourage you to get help.
Do what is best for you, regardless of what others might say about addiction.
Do not let them have control over the opportunity to live a clean and fabulous life!
Contact us at North Jersey Recovery Center today.
