Although Demi Lovato has previously described her troubled past, she recently opened up about it even more.
In an interview with American Way, Demi talks about how fame got to her early in her career. She was depressed, had suicidal thoughts, and began cutting herself and purging at age 12. Demi was using drugs and alcohol to cope and reached her breaking point when she punched one of her backup dancers while on tour with the Jonas Brothers.
Thankfully, Demi checked into a rehab center where she was treated for bulimia and diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She feared others would think she was “just another stereotype” and says her other issues got worse.
Demi was able to combat her addictions in a sober house for one year, and she had her last drink in 2012.
Although Demi didn’t plan on becoming a spokesperson for people with mental illnesses and addiction, that’s what happened. She says having people look up to her holds her accountable.
“When I have meet-and-greets, I can’t tell you the amount of times that girls will show me their arms covered in scars or cuts,” she admits to American Way. “They’ll tell me, ‘You helped me get through this. Because of you, I stopped self-harming,’ or ‘I got sober.’ Hearing those things gave my life new meaning.”
Demi’s the perfect example that things do get better. And if you need help, you should seek it out.