Actress and Singer Demi Lovato Celebrates Five Years of Sobriety

Actress and singer Demi Lovato sat down with Ellen DeGeneres last week, documenting a particularly memorable occasion in her recovery from addiction. She recently celebrated her 5-year anniversary of sobriety.

“It means so much to me because I feel like the day that I got sober was the day that I actually started living, and so I like to call myself five years old,” said Lovato on Ellen.

Lovato’s battle with addiction came to light in 2013, when she first spoke openly about her struggle in a series of interviews. In a candid exchange with Access Hollywood, she revealed the harrowing extent of her substance use, stating that, “with my drug use I could hide it to where I would sneak drugs. I couldn’t go without 30 minutes to an hour without cocaine and I would bring it on airplanes.”

After quickly rising to fame as a Disney Channel star, Lovato was exposed very early on to the pressures of fitting in with her peers. She has revealed her struggles with bulimia and self-harm, and has disclosed seeking treatment for those issues at the age of 18.

The now-24-year-old has entered her fifth year of recovery, taking to Instagram to share the news with fans. Posting a screenshot of her Twelve Steps Companion app, she wrote, “I’m so proud of myself but I couldn’t have done it without my higher power (God), my family, friends, and everyone else who supported me.”

So grateful. It’s been quite the journey. So many ups and downs. So many times I wanted to relapse but sat on my hands and begged God to relieve the obsession. I’m so proud of myself but I couldn’t have done it without my higher power (God), my family, friends, and everyone else who supported me. Feeling humbled and joyful today. Thank you guys for sticking by my side and believing in me. 🙏🏼

A post shared by Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) on Mar 15, 2017 at 3:36pm PDT

Since sharing her story with the media, Lovato has become an advocate for those who are struggling with substance use and mental health disorders. After receiving a bipolar diagnosis in treatment, she made every effort to remind her fans that they are not alone.

Today, at the height of her success, Lovato acknowledges that she is “humbled” by the path that she has walked. Lovato has made a regular practice of posting tributes to her sober birthdays, with her most recent one serving as another milestone of triumph.

“I’ve decided to be open about my story and share everything that I’ve been through because it helps others,” she concluded to DeGeneres in her interview.