Demi Lovato on being ‘sober in California’ after 2018 overdose and how she ‘essentially had to die to wake up’



[ad_1]

Demi Lovato’s new YouTube documentary, Dancing with the devil, lays bare some of the pop star’s painful confessions about her battle with drug addiction and eating disorders, her 2018 overdose and her experiences of sexual assault. Just two days away from the end of the four-episode series – which just released on SXSW – debuts on March 23, the former Disney Channel star is opening up to CBS Sunday morning about his recovery and finally his joy.

As CBS correspondent Tracy Smith notes, this isn’t the first time Lovato, 28, has spoken of overcoming both addiction and eating disorders. In an interview with Smith in 2016, Lovato said he was thankful that he was still alive. But just two years later, in July 2018, the singer suffered an almost fatal overdose, triggering a heart attack and three strokes, which Lovato says she still suffers from vision and hearing problems.

Speaking to the 28-year-old at her Los Angeles home, Smith asked Lovato about the disconnect between his quotes from 2016 and the still-ongoing struggles with addiction.

“I’ve been sober for many years, but I’m still miserable,” Lovato explained of her 2016 state of mind. “And then, of course, no matter how you feel right now, you mean: ‘Yes, I’m fine’ because I’m in front of a camera, I’m doing an interview. I, for the first time in my life, had to die basically to wake up. “

She added that despite being sober at the time of her interview in 2016, things weren’t as perfect behind the scenes.

“I wasn’t in control of my life at the time,” Lovato said. “But yes, I also needed to grow up and take control. And this is something that I haven’t done for the last two years of my life, which is, I am now in control of my finances. I now control the food I eat, how often I train.

“Obviously I was in control of what I put in my mouth,” she clarified, “but there were times when phones were pulled out – in fact, every time I was in a bedroom. hotel, my phone was out of the room, so I was unable to order room service. “

But Lovato refused to blame others.

“Regardless of what other people may have said or done, my actions put me in the seat that is before you today,” she told Smith. “Unfortunately, no one can answer for my overdose except me.”

The interview also touched on Lovato’s preferred form of recovery: moderation rather than total sobriety. The native Texan still enjoys a little booze and marijuana. In her documentary, she explains, “I’m done with the stuff that will kill me. Telling myself that I can never have a drink or smoke marijuana, I feel like it sets me up for it. failure.”

Speaking to Smith, Lovato explained that she was hesitant to speak too openly about her ‘sober California’ approach, which drew criticism that it was not strict enough, including from former drug addict Elton John. , which appears in Dancing with the devil. Lovato also expressed reservations that his endorsement of moderation might sway fans.

“I would say, for example, I think the term I identify with the best is sober Californian,” Lovato told Smith, adding, “I really don’t feel comfortable explaining my settings. recovery to people, because I don’t. I want anyone to look at my security settings and think this is what works for them because it might not.

“I’m safe to say that just as I think the complete abstinence method isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for everyone, I don’t think this journey of moderation is a one-size-fits-all solution for everyone, too.

Lovato gave a soulful performance at the 2020 Grammys. (Photo: Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic)

Lovato gave a soulful performance at the 2020 Grammys. (Photo: Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic)

Lovato also opened up about his emotional comeback to the 2020 Grammys, telling Smith, “I wasn’t sure if I would ever get back on stage.”

Despite her contact with death – “the doctors told me I had five to ten minutes … if no one had found me I wouldn’t be here,” she revealed – the singer and actress is convinced that she came out stronger and happier.

“I feel so good,” said Lovato, who has spoken more and more about his mental health and sexuality in recent years. “I feel more joy in my life than I have ever felt, because I don’t calm or diminish any part of myself.”

Learn more about Yahoo Entertainment:

[ad_2]

Source link