Challenges in the Life of Demi Lovato in a Detailed Timeline

Life is full of challenges, and Demi Lovato faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

Demi Lovato is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She began her career on Barney & Friends before gaining prominence through the Disney Channel's As the Bell Rings and the Camp Rock films. Her debut single, "This Is Me," from the Camp Rock soundtrack, reached number nine on the Billboard Hot 100.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

November 1, 2010: Entered treatment facility

On November 1, 2010, Demi Lovato withdrew from the Jonas Brothers tour and entered a treatment facility for physical and emotional issues after an incident involving a backup dancer.

January 2011: Moved to a Sober House

After leaving rehab in January 2011, Demi Lovato decided to live in a "sober house" in Los Angeles.

2011: Shared Bipolar diagnosis

In 2011, Demi Lovato shared that she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder as it explained her erratic behavior.

2012: Release of 'Demi Lovato: Stay Strong' Documentary

In 2012, Demi Lovato released the documentary 'Demi Lovato: Stay Strong', addressing her struggles with an eating disorder and substance abuse.

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2012: Performance on American Idol

Referencing a 2012 performance on American Idol where Demi Lovato was severely hungover, she stated that her drug and alcohol addiction began to impact her ability to perform live and promote her Unbroken album.

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January 2013: Lived in sober-living facility

In January 2013, Demi Lovato was reported to be living in a sober-living facility in Los Angeles for over a year to avoid returning to her addiction and eating disorder.

2013: Publishing 'Staying Strong: 365 Days a Year'

In 2013, Demi Lovato published the self-help memoir 'Staying Strong: 365 Days a Year', addressing her struggles with an eating disorder and substance abuse.

Staying Strong: 365 Days a Year

Check it on Amazon

2017: Revealed struggles with addiction after rehab

In her 2017 YouTube documentary "Demi Lovato: Simply Complicated", Demi Lovato revealed that her treatment at Timberline Knolls was not entirely successful, and she still struggled with alcoholism and a cocaine addiction after her stint at the treatment center.

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June 21, 2018: Released "Sober"

On June 21, 2018, Demi Lovato released the single "Sober", revealing her relapse after six years of sobriety.

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July 24, 2018: Opioid overdose

On July 24, 2018, Demi Lovato was rushed to the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after an opioid overdose at her home, and was revived with naloxone.

December 2018: Addressed overdose rumors on Twitter

In December 2018, Demi Lovato addressed rumors regarding her overdose via Twitter and thanked her fans for their support while requesting privacy and space to heal.

2018: Bulimia struggles contributed to overdose

During a 2020 appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Demi Lovato elaborated that worsened struggles with bulimia in 2018 contributed to her eventual drug overdose, as she relapsed due to unhappiness and controlling management.

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2018: Raped during overdose

In 2021, Demi Lovato stated that she was raped during her 2018 drug overdose, realizing a month after the incident that she was not in a place to consent at that point.

March 2021: Disclosed alcohol and marijuana use in moderation

In March 2021, Demi Lovato revealed that she was not completely sober, choosing to drink alcohol and smoke marijuana in moderation, a decision that was met with disagreement from many of her friends.

2021: Revealed rape at age 15

In 2021, Demi Lovato disclosed that she was raped at age 15 while working as an actor on the Disney Channel, and that the rapist was a co-star, which contributed to her struggles with bulimia and self-harm.

2021: Release of 'Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil' Documentary

In 2021, Demi Lovato released the documentary 'Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil', addressing her struggles with an eating disorder and substance abuse.

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2022: Opiate use revealed

In a 2022 interview, Demi Lovato revealed that she began using opiates at the age of 13 after a car accident and was already drinking by that time, eventually leading to cocaine use at 17.