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 who began her career on Barney & Friends. She gained wider recognition through her role as Mitchie Torres in Disney's Camp Rock films. Her debut single, "This Is Me," a duet with Joe Jonas from the Camp Rock soundtrack, reached number nine on the Billboard Hot 100, marking the beginning of her successful career in music and entertainment.

Sections (5)

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

November 1, 2010: Withdrawal from Jonas Brothers Tour and Entering Treatment

On November 1, 2010, Demi Lovato withdrew from the Jonas Brothers: Live in Concert tour and entered a treatment facility for "physical and emotional issues" after punching a backup dancer.

January 2011: Lovato resides in a "sober house"

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

January 28, 2011: Completion of In-Patient Treatment

On January 28, 2011, Demi Lovato completed in-patient treatment at Timberline Knolls, acknowledging struggles with bulimia, self-harm, and self-medication with drugs and alcohol.

December 2011: Condemnation of Disney Channel Episodes with Eating Disorder Jokes

In December 2011, Demi Lovato condemned the Disney Channel for airing episodes of Shake It Up and So Random! in which characters joked about eating disorders, leading to their removal.

Loading Video...

2011: Sharing Bipolar Diagnosis

In 2011, Demi Lovato shared her bipolar diagnosis because it explained her erratic behavior.

2012: Performance While Severely Hungover

In 2012, Demi Lovato had a performance on American Idol where she was severely hungover, which impacted her ability to perform live and promote her Unbroken album.

Loading Video...

January 2013: Living in a Sober-Living Facility

In January 2013, it was reported that Demi Lovato had been living in a sober-living facility in Los Angeles for over a year to avoid relapse into addiction and eating disorder.

2017: Release of 'Demi Lovato: Simply Complicated' Documentary

In 2017, Demi Lovato revealed in her YouTube documentary, Demi Lovato: Simply Complicated, that her treatment at Timberline Knolls was not entirely successful and admitted to still struggling with addiction and being under the influence during interviews about her sobriety.

Loading Video...

June 21, 2018: Release of the Single "Sober"

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

Loading Video...

July 24, 2018: Opioid Overdose and Hospitalization

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

December 2018: Dismissal of Overdose Rumors on Twitter

In December 2018, Demi Lovato dismissed rumors regarding her overdose on Twitter and thanked fans for their support, stating that she would one day share what exactly happened.

2018: Relapse Three Months Prior to Overdose

In 2018, Demi Lovato relapsed three months prior to her eventual drug overdose due to being extremely unhappy, which she attributed to her manager's control over her food intake.

2018: Raped During Overdose

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

March 2021: Demi Lovato Reveals Moderation of Alcohol and Marijuana

In March 2021, Demi Lovato revealed that she was not completely sober and was drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana in moderation, despite the disagreement of some friends.

2021: Reevaluation of Bipolar Diagnosis

In 2021, Demi Lovato said she initially accepted her bipolar diagnosis and shared this in 2011, but later came to believe it was inaccurate and her diagnosis was revised to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

2021: Disclosure of Rape at Age 15

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

Loading Video...

2022: Opioid Use at Age 13

In a 2022 interview on the podcast Call Her Daddy, Lovato added that she began using opiates at the age of 13 after a car accident and "was already drinking" by that time.