After years of going sober following a dangerous drug addiction, Demi Lovato was taken to hospital following an overdose. This was a shock to many fans of the 26-year-old singer, after she had spent years being candid about her struggles addiction and mental health.
"She came down with a fever and showed signs of an infection, she is currently being treated for issues that are very common after a drug overdose," a source told People Magazine at the time. "She will need to stay in the hospital for a few more days, but is expected to make a full recovery."
Soon after her release from the hospital, Lovato decided to check in to a rehabilitation clinic after this relapse. In the wake of this news spreading online on the basis of various anonymous insider sources, she eventually came clean.
In her statement, she said:
"I have always been transparent about my journey with addiction. What I've learned is that this illness is not something that disappears or fades with time. It is something I must continue to overcome and have not done yet.
"I now need time to heal and focus on my sobriety and road to recovery. The love you have all shown me will never be forgotten and I look forward to the day where I can say I came out on the other side. I will keep fighting."
Now, months after getting back on track with her sobriety and finding a more positive outlook, she has addressed her relapse in a series of Instagram stories.
On Friday March 15, she revealed that it would have been the date that she hit seven years of sobriety, if it wasn't for her relapse last summer.
However Lovato said that she didn't regret the relapse as she "needed to make those mistakes," adding: “But I must never forget that’s exactly what they were: mistakes."
She went on to show the upmost respect and gratitude to Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous, who have helped her and many others, celebrating them for never turning anyone away "no matter how many times you have to start your time over".
“I didn’t lose six years. I’ll always have that experience but now I just get to add to that time with a new journey and time count. If you’ve relapsed and are afraid to get help again, just know it’s possible to take that step towards recovery. If you’re alive today, you can make it back. You’re worth it.”
Back in January we saw her hit the milestone of six months sober following the relapse, for which she was given a cake, with the note "Happy 6 mo. We are so f***ing proud of you!"
And she also shared her six months sober token:
Despite the setback last August, it looks like Lovato is going strong - and back to using her own experience to help others in a similar situation once more.