Demi Lovato’s ‘Dancing with the Devil’: Her Struggle with Addiction, and How Marist Students Can Get Help

In Demi Lovato’s Youtube docuseries, Lovato opened up about her struggles with alcohol and substance abuse, as well as eating disorders. Source: Creative Commons: “Demi Lovato @ Citibank Hall - SP” by Portal Focka

Demi Lovato’s new YouTube-exclusive docuseries “Dancing with the Devil” revealed her struggles with alcohol and substance abuse, as well as eating disorders. From her near-fatal overdose in the summer of 2018 to her current journey with recovery, “Dancing with the Devil” gave an honest look into some of the most difficult times in Lovato’s life. 

Released on March 23, this series is expected to upload new episodes weekly and hopefully provide others with the courage to change their lives.

This series highlights the impact of substance and alcohol abuse, not only on Lovato, but her friends and family as well. The night of her overdose, she had smoked heroin and taken fentanyl-laced oxycodone. After suffering three strokes and a heart attack, the doctors told her she only had about five to ten more minutes to live. Despite defying those odds, Lovato still lives with the repercussions of her mistakes. 

“I suffered brain damage from the strokes. I can’t drive anymore and I have blind spots in my vision so sometimes when I go to pour a glass of water, I’ll totally miss the cup because I can’t see it anymore,” Lovato said. 

Lovato also revealed that on the night of her overdose she was sexually assaulted by her drug dealer who provided her with the substances that almost killed her.

“What people don’t realize about that night for me is I wasn’t, I didn’t just overdose. I was also taken advantage of,” Lovato said. “When they found me, I was naked. I was blue. I was literally left for dead after he took advantage of me.”

At only 28 years old, Lovato has been struggling with addiction and eating disorders for a long time, but she is not alone. Many teenagers and young adults suffer from alcohol and substance abuse. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, “9/10 individuals who abuse nicotine, alcohol or other drugs began using these substances before the age of 18. People who began using addictive substances before age 15 are 7 times more likely to develop a substance problem than those who first use after age 21.”

Lovato emphasized that recovery is not the same for everyone and that a person cannot get sober for other people –– they have to do it for themselves.

Whether it be anxiety, substance abuse or just needing someone to talk to, Marist offers counseling services for those seeking professional help. 

“People tend to think that it’s only a select population or a select few, but the truth is that we all have mental health or wellness,”  Dr. Marisa Moore, interim director of counseling services at Marist, said. “We all experience anxiousness or depressive symptoms or reactions to what’s happening around us. And so when we offer services it’s been important to us to always try to advertise that it’s for everyone...Sometimes people think ‘my stuff isn’t that bad,’ but the truth is, we all benefit from having someone neutral to talk to that is going to support and encourage us.”

Although COVID-19 means that people cannot meet in person, Marist has been utilizing Telehealth and Teletherapy. Open clinics have also recently been put into place for college students who have a busy schedule and need immediate access to counseling. This service is offered from Monday to Friday 1pm to 3:30pm. Crisis services are also available for students experiencing an emergency after hours.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please seek help by contacting Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 1-800-662-HELP (4357).