After being released from the hospital where she was rushed due to suspected overdose, singer Demi Lovato finally broke her silence via Instagram two days ago.
Her post read, “I have always been transparent about my journey with addiction. What I’ve learned is that this illness is not something that disappears or fades with time. It is something I must continue to overcome and have not done yet.” She also expressed gratitude to her family and those who supported her during the tough time. “The love you have all shown me will never be forgotten and I look forward to the day where I can say I came out on the other side.”
Last June, the singer opened up about falling off the wagon again through one of her songs. Entitled “Sober,” the single revealed her recurring struggle with maintaining sobriety. In the lyrics, she apologized to her family and fans: “I wanna be a role model, but I’m only human.” Prior to this, she celebrated six years of being sober.
Although there was an overwhelming out pour of love and support from fans and other celebrities, there were still others who couldn’t help but criticize Demi.
Some made fun of her through tasteless memes, while some pointed out a double standard when it comes to the support she has received, versus the public’s reaction over the same struggle by people of color—particularly, Whitney Houston and Lamar Odom.
You hoes disrespected Lil Peep for overdosing but when Demi Lovato does it everyone cries a river.
— t (@YourMasterTyler) July 24, 2018
Let’s say it like it is…ppl like Whittney Houston & Lamar Odom we’re torn down for using heroine but let a white celebrity like Demi Lovato overdose on heroine & everybody suppose to chill & hurt for her? Foh ?
— ❤KRYSTLE NA’KoL✨ (@Keep_YaEye_OnMe) July 24, 2018
I really hope Demi Lovato is ok, but the fact that she can overdose on heroin and receive love and support while millions of poor Black people and PoC are incarcerated or criminalized at this very moment for nonviolent drug crimes shows that the War on Drugs is racially motivated
— Kentington Clarke ? (@KentingtonC) July 25, 2018
No disrespect to Demi Lovato, I pray she gets better, however, why is the narrative created that she is a VICTIM who needs overwhelming love&support, but Lamar Odom was perceived as a CRACKHEAD who spiralled out of control during his similar crisis?
We have to do better ppl…
— Dylan J. Ennis (@canadiankidDJE) July 25, 2018
While I personally think there is a grain of truth to the double standard, I also would like to believe this is an indication of how people are becoming more understanding to sensitive issues such as coping with addiction.
The user who created the meme has since apologized after being called out. Users have also objected to those who cried double standards, pointing out that this was not an issue grounded on race. Still, others asserted that the people’s overwhelming support may be due to Demi’s openness about her journey. In the past, the 25-year-old was candid about her battle with eating disorders, self-mutilation, drugs, and alcohol.
The overall positive response is a welcome change over previous reactions of victim-blaming. To those who still fail to see that what happened can be considered as progress, please remember that as long as the person is committed to getting better, the road to recovery continues. Healing is a process, and declaring disappointment over relapse will only cause more harm than good. No one is allowed to judge Demi, or anyone who’s had a similar experience, because at the end of the day, we can never really know what they’re going through or have gone through.
In her post, Demi showed dedication to overcoming her demons, “I now need time to heal and focus on my sobriety and road to recovery.” She ended it with a resolute declaration, “I will keep fighting.”
Whatever happens, we’ll keep rooting for her.
Art by Marian Hukom
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