What Demi Lovato Can Tell Us About Staying Sober

The recent news about singer Demi Lovato was, of course, extremely sad and concerning.

Lovato has had a well-publicized history with substance abuse.

And at first glance, it seem easy to dismiss Lovato’s tale as just another entertainment star who rode too high or too fast – or just plain didn’t realize the incredible opportunity she has as a global pop icon.

That also would be wrong.

Instead, Lovato can teach us a lot about staying sober – particularly, the challenges of staying sober.

To start with the most obvious, staying sober is not a question of financial resources. We may not know Lovato’s exact financial situation, but it seems fair to assume she has some resources from years of stardom.

The Challenges of Staying Sober

Staying sober also isn’t directly tied to desire. By all accounts, Lovato has had a strong desire to get and remain sober.

As CNN reports, last she was “honored with the Spirit of Sobriety Award during the annual Brent Shapiro Foundation for Drug Prevention Summer Spectacular.” Lovato said: “You just have to take it one day at a time; some days are easier than others and some days you forget about drinking and using, but for me, I work on my physical health, which is important, but my mental health as well. I make sure I stay on my medications. I go to AA meetings. I do what I can physically in the gym. I make it a priority.”

She even had the inspiration of loved ones.

“I knew that I had a lot of life ahead of me, but one of the main reasons of getting sober was so that I could be around my little sister because my mom and dad (said I couldn’t be around her) if I was doing stuff,” she told a British television host last year.

“I had family and really close friends and my manager; they all were by my side through everything. I wouldn’t be here without them. My fans too, I feel they gave me a reason to live and I’m forever grateful.”

Reports indicate that Lovato will seek rehab.

The lessons are clear, particularly for students who may struggle with living sober at college: Staying sober is hard work. No one is immune. And if one thinks that this is only happening to them, Demi Lovato stands as a powerful reminder that managing substance abuse challenges can be difficult for anyone.