Yesterday afternoon, TMZ reported that singer Demi Lovato had been hospitalized following a heroin overdose. Paramedics were called to her home, where they found her unconscious and administered the drug Narcan, which is an emergency medication used for narcotics overdoses. (Update: US Magazine reports that Demi’s friends revived her with Narcan, which one of them had in case of emergency, and that they called 911.) TMZ has since retracted that story, claiming that a law enforcement source provided that detail and that Demi’s side claims it was not heroin. Demi reportedly did not tell first responders what drugs she had taken, although given the circumstances she may have simply been recovering and unable to respond.
The good news is that she was awake in the hospital, sitting up and talking, and her condition is now listed as “stable.” Demi recently revealed that she had relapsed after six years sober, she recorded a song about it called “Sober,” and she has been open and honest about her struggle with drugs and alcohol. Here’s some of People’s report about this:
Demi Lovato was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital on Tuesday after suffering an apparent overdose and is now “stable,” a source close to the singer tells PEOPLE.
A representative for the Los Angeles Fire Department tells PEOPLE they “transported a 25-year-old female patient to a local hospital,” while the Los Angeles Police Department confirms both departments “responded to a medical emergency” in the area of her Hollywood Hills home.
Audio of the emergency call obtained by TMZ reveals the pop star was unconscious upon their arrival and revived with Narcan — an emergency medication to reverse the effects of a narcotic overdose. While TMZ reports the overdose is heroin-related, a source close to Lovato claims to PEOPLE that it is not…
Even after treatment [in 2010], insiders say she still struggled with her private pain. “Demi was never really clean and sober from all of her demons,” a source tells PEOPLE. “She has been fighting depression and anxiety for quite some time — and is still in such a dark place. She was sober for a while, but not completely sober for six years.”
A source close to the situation tells PEOPLE there have been clear signs that all isn’t well with Lovato’s health. “Things have been a total mess for months. She and her team severed ties, and they played a large part in getting her sober years ago. She hasn’t been in a good place.”
An additional insider also noticed a downturn. “You could tell when Demi was doing well with her sobriety because she wasn’t hanging out at clubs,” the source tells PEOPLE. “She has still very much kept up her work schedule and daily life, but there have definitely been signs that she isn’t doing great with her sobriety…”
Lovato’s rep confirmed in a statement to PEOPLE late Tuesday that the singer was in stable condition.
“Demi is awake and with her family who want to express thanks to everyone for the love, prayers and support,” the rep said. “Some of the information being reported is incorrect and they respectfully ask for privacy and not speculation as her health and recovery is the most important thing right now.”
People has also has quotes from an insider close Demi’s ex, Wilmer Valderamma, who calls him her “rock” and claims she always wanted to get back with him. He’s said to be “shocked” and unprepared at the news of Demi’s overdose. Supposedly they’re still close friends now, but it seems cheap for him to be giving quotes at this time.
As for Demi, I hope she’s can get the rest and recovery she needs. She was due to give a concert in Atlantic city on Thursday but has canceled as she takes time to recover. Thank goodness she’s ok now and that she was able to get to the hospital for treatment. I can’t imagine the pressure she’s under. Demi has always been open and honest with her fans but I hope she knows that she doesn’t owe people an explanation until and unless she’s ready.
It was her friends who gave her Narcan, before the EMS arrived, don’t know how they got the drug.
It seems like they knew Demi was spiraling out of control with her drug use.
I honestly would imagine that they keep it on hand because they’re all aware of what she’s up to these days.
Any safe user would keep it on hand. They probably kept it for their collective drug use, not just for Demi.
The fact that the friends had Narcan on-hand speaks volumes.
Very very sad. I wish her the best in her new path to recovery.
Narcan/naloxone is free in Canada. I took a short course at my school, put on by a society in my area. They provided a free naloxone kit and indicated that to revive a person you would generally have to administer 2 vials of naloxone with 5 minutes of CPR between. The kit comes with 3 vials of naloxone and if you do have to use the kit, they want it back for stats and will provide another kit for free. Thankfully I have not had to use it, but you never know.
where I live, people will purposely use in our downtown area because there are cops/businesses/people so they are more likely to be revived with Narcan. which is great when I’m walking downtown with my kid and there’s people clearly strung out. sigh. I live in an area that has been hit really hard with heroin use in the last five years and it’s so sad to see.
I have Narcan and don’t use and don’t spend time with people using. I took a course shortly after the CDC recommended more people carry it given the opiate epidemic. Different than the story, but severe addicts often use in public places when they are isolated from friends and family or just happen to be alone. In case of overdose. My point here is that it isn’t terribly telling and we have very limited information but non-first responders carrying Narcan should never carry stigma or shame.
Interesting cultural difference. Here in Canada Narcan and training in its administration is given out free and is encouraged to be part of a standard first aid kit. I keep a kit at home (we are not drug users, but you never know if a neighbor needs it) and even have a Narcan kit here in my office in case someone from the public needs it.
The fact that her friends have one just shows me that they care about their drug using friends’ welfare.
I’m not sure if it’s the case in California but in many states narcan can be purchased over the counter. It’s a double edged sword in my opinion as an ER nurse. It’s good because it’s saved many lives but at the same time some people are more reckless because they know there’s a reversal agent out there. I’m glad they got her to a hospital for treatment because it’s possible for the drugs to rebound once the narcan wears off.
They give training on our reservation and people carry it with them to revive friends or to be revived themselves. I have a cousin who was revived with Narcan. And other about to leave rehab for the second time after almost dying in a car accident while high. Heroin is such a scourge. I wish her all the best.
I had only thought of Narcan as a miracle drug and hadn’t considered that it would actually make people more reckless and/or careless. That is so scary.
Hoping Demi takes a good long time to rest and recover.
I don’t know, man…I’ve heard the argument that Narcan enables addicts to be more reckless trotted out SO many times to my paramedic BF and he always shuts it down immediately.
He also happens to love Narcan as he says it’s the most efficient and effective way to save an addict from overdose death. He says it’s a total game changer.
@Kitten I know we can’t say with 100% certainty that there’s a direct correlation between this surge in opiate related drug overdoses and increased availability of narcan but in my opinion it seems more than mere coincidence, I guess only time will tell.
I don’t care. Heroin is widely available so Narcan should be widely available. SO many drug addicts refuse to call the police if there is an OD because they don’t want to get law enforcement involved. If they have Narcan on hand to save their life or a friend’s life that might not otherwise be saved then it’s a net positive no matter how you slice it IMO.
That being said, Narcan is a band-aid; a temporary solution. Intense, long-term rehab and outpatient treatment still needs to be available and covered by health insurance. We have to do better on all counts.
I would think that you might get that impression as an ER nurse since Narcan allows so many more people who have overdosed to make it to the ER alive. Here in Canada, anyone can request narcan over the counter for free as far as I know. The only real problem I have heard is that some people don’t realize that the drug can rebound after taking Narcan so you still need to seek out medical treatment after someone is revived. But that is an issue with education and training, not with the drug itself.
As for the current epidemic, I think it’s fairly well established that some of the biggest factors are decades of overprescribing opiate pain medications and increased amounts of fentanyl in street drugs (not to mention lack of available mental health and addiction services and stigma). To me, saying that Narcan is responsible for an increase in overdoses sounds like saying that condoms are responsible for an increase in teen pregnancy.
I’ve seen many drug overdoses in my time on the ER but not once have I seen law enforcement get involved and cart anyone off to jail. In fact the only time I see them in my ER is if there’s been a shooting or if someone has been assaulted and is filling a report. Don’t make the assumption that I’m not for saving lives, that’s literally my job and I pass no judgement on any patient ever. I wish there was a better solution.
Up here in Washington, it’s made them more reckless. There was a report of a guy ODing three times in one week because our cops have it on him. The mall I worked for, the security guards had it on them and used it at least once per day. It’s amazing to have a thing but where I’m at it’s only enabled most. Washington is bad with the heroin epidemic. Our mussels test positive for opioid from the excrements that filter into the pugent sound river. It’s insane.
Washington has a law that if someone is ODing and you call an ambulance, you’re not going to get in trouble for using. Hopefully it’s helped save a life.
I am with you @Kitten. As someone who worked for extensive period of time on human rights and drug policy, I can say that it is wreckless to blame addiction on narcan/naloxone, people usually do heroin not because they know there is a drug that may save their lives. This is a total missunderstanding of addiction. I also am not liking this PR hot potatoe where PR people are now telling different versions of the story. There are people who worked and keep working very hard to make narcan more available, in case it was a heroin related overdose and in case her friends had narcan on hand and that saved her life, them saying exactly that would be a big sign of appreceation of all thos hard work that is done on daily basis and in the end – saves lives.
I’ll add my experience as a pharmacist in a town with a growing heroin and drug problem.. Narcan is available over the counter in my state, and I’ve only ever had one person purchase it. We counsel extensively on patients who might be in danger of an accidental overdose. We have a large population of Suboxone patients as well. There is little interest in Narcan, which for me at least, says people arent keeping it on hand as a crutch. Although I can understand that line of thinking perfectly well.
There is a large population of Suboxone patients in programs. It’s almost like today’s version of methadone. I admire those who are off of heroin and go on the Suboxone program, but then they are addicted to it, but it is better than smack. Do any of you ER nurses know how they get off of the Subs, or is it a lifetime program. Ugh
Unless you have data supporting this claim, it’s irresponsible to say there’s a correlation.
Washington’s problem is with the amount of heroin that is up here. The availability of Narcan isn’t causing the heroin epidemic, it’s simply a result of it. What a ridiculous thing to say.
I agree with @kitten and others. To say addiction is becoming more pervasive because of the availability of Narcan is really misunderstanding the reasons for addiction and the difficulty to overcome it. I support the wider distribution and use of Narcan. A saved life is a saved life. If we were to take it away I don’t believe you would see a corresponding drop in addiction. The reasons people are addicted are far more complicated and nuanced than simple complacency because a reversal drug exists.
@ Tanesha86-I said that the addicts are afraid to call 911 because THEY are scared to get in trouble with the law. It doesn’t matter that you haven’t seen people get carted off by the police, the point is that fear of getting in trouble is a deterrent for them to seek the help they need.
I understand that you help people and never insinuated otherwise. I guess what I find peculiar is that you would have any opposition to Narcan. It’s not something I’ve seen among my BF or his friends that are medics and EMTs. As people who administer it frequently, they are all fully in support of it.
Well the part I’m in, it has enabled them. So no, it’s not. You must be in Bellevue which explains everything. Or a natural born Washingtonian.
@ Jordan- Tell that to the parent of a child who has overdosed or is struggling with addiction. If it was YOUR loved one who was saved by Narcan, I promise that you wouldn’t be out here complaining about it being used. It saves lives, PERIOD.
Man, people can be so f*cking callous smdh.
Correlation doesn’t mean causation, but anecdotal experience shouldn’t be discounted and ignored. Sometimes that’s where we form our hypotheses in the first place.
At any rate, I want to send gratitude to Tanesha and every other ER nurse, EMT, pharmacist, and mental health professional in this comment section. That you all care passionately about saving lives is really coming through and you (and your boyfriends, etc) should be appreciated.
I am a little surprised at the comments.
Haven’t we accepted that drug addiction is an illness? We know that drug addicts often have unaddressed mental health issues or unprocessed trauma. They are ill and can’t stop or they would.
Has anyone ever known a heroin addict who thinks Narcan is an incentive? Why is anyone talking about addicts as if their use is a moral failing? The alternative to not having Narcan is death. What has an addict ever done to deserve this? Where is the humanity in this argument?
Years ago I tried it to see what the fuss was. Not shooting it but snorting it. I became a zombie staring off into the hinterlands for half a day. My friend who committed suicide was an addict so I wanted to see what they saw in this drug. I hated every moment and felt like the world was happening in muted slow motion. I asked them later is that what they liked about it and they confirmed it was. They said it stopped everything from coming in and made the pain go away. I imagine other heroin addicts are chasing this same feeling and do it until they put themselves in danger every time they use. They want to stop but can’t.
I think Narcan is not the point. It is a symptom of a much larger issue.
@ Kitten
As someone who works in law enforcement I can tell you that no one is getting arrested for OD or for calling 911 for someone who has… there are good Samaritan OD prevention laws in place to avoid that very issue… not certain but I believe the laws have been place for decades and of all the MANY addicts that I’ve encountered I’d say a good 90% of them are aware of the law.. there are a few exceptions where an overdosing patient may be arrested but this usually involves child neglect and/or endangerment issues not the drug use in and of itself
@ Here’s Wilson- And as someone who dated an Oxycontin addict who’s two closest friends died from an overdose, I can tell you that most addicts aren’t thinking about how law enforcement and medics will help them. Not all of them know that they can’t get in trouble with law enforcement, but even if they are aware, they are still often scared to call for help.
They are thinking that if they call 911, their family members will know that they (or their friend) relapsed, that the cops who show up will think “oh my god THIS guy again?” and that the medics strapping them into a stretcher will be looking at them with pity and sadness.
Look, if it was as simple as “call 911” then there wouldn’t be so many overdoses and Narcan wouldn’t be a thing.
When people OD they are impaired by drugs. They are frightened. They are worried about the stigma, the judgment, the inevitable disappointment on the faces of friends and family from YET another hospital visit. Having Narcan available allows them to avoid the shame and embarrassment. And before you say it, hardcore drug addicts are rarely “shamed” into recovery. If anything, the humiliation and indignity just exacerbates the self-hatred that is so common among addicts.
Additionally, it’s important to note that many drug addicts live on the street and don’t have access to a cell phone. They don’t have friends and family members nearby to help or to call 911. Again, Narcan is helpful in situations such as these.
I am a community pharmacist and have trained many people on naloxone use; the kits are free to almost any individual here in Ontario. It’s about harm reduction — the same idea behind needle exchange programs. Naloxone does save lives and there is currently no evidence that it increases drug use. We should try to reduce the stigma behind getting a kit.
It’s like having seatbelts and airbags in your car. Does the possibility of a few people driving faster than they otherwise would mean we should not have seatbelts and airbags in cars? Of course not.
Just chiming in to say I’m also with Kitten, Bridget, Dixiebells and the others. Heroin is the killer, plain and simple. The availability of Narcan saves lives, but it doesn’t make a heroin addict more reckless. They’re a heroin addict, FFS. Recklessness goes hand in hand with their addiction.
“There was a report of a guy ODing three times in one week because our cops have it on him.”
I don’t think you can say that it enabled them to be more reckless though – it enabled them to live THROUGH the OD. It enabled someone clearly struggling with addiction to not die after that first OD. If someone is truly hooked – they’re going to keep using unless they get help and it actually works for them. Maybe that person OD’d three times in one week – but I seriously doubt it was a case of “sweet, I can OD and nothing bad will happen! Parrrttyyy!” so much as it was a case of a serious addict doing whatever they could to keep using.
I mean – would you say having the ability to get a liver transplant is enabling drinkers to be more reckless? Someone who’s addicted to a substance isn’t thinking in terms of whether there’s availability of a medication to get them through drinking or doing too much of a substance. You hear about more people getting through OD’s because of naloxone or whatever drug because otherwise you’d just be hearing about people dying from an OD. If you’re working in a hospital you might see more people being admitted and treated for an OD – but you’re not seeing all the people that would have been pronounced dead at the scene before the medication was readily available.
Addicts use because they can’t stop themselves. Addicts often do many, many, many rotten things to get their fix…because not having it makes them so incredibly ill. Rotten things that they would NEVER otherwise even consider doing.
I highly doubt there are addicts out there thinking “Hmmmm….I’m holding, but maybe I shouldn’t shoot all this because heroine is dangerous and I might OD…oh wait, there is Narcan available…so no worries.” They are going to shoot it if they have it, period, and if NOT shooting was an option for them, we wouldn’t have the epidemic we have. That is the whole issue in a nutshell.
If they could reason with themselves enough to worry about the danger, they wouldn’t be ADDICTED, they wold be sober. Addiction is a horrible unstoppable DRIVE to use. “Reason” goes away completely.
WOW kitten. My brother, father, grandfather and two out of my three aunts died from addiction. The last aunt an her daughter strung out on opioids and adderall. I’m for Narcan saving lives but not for enabling people. Or did you miss that part where I said it’s an amazing thing? My brother would still be alive if someone had done it! But hey, did you feel better for five minutes because you sounded big and bad on a gossip forum?
Boy, why can’t you read?
@Jordan
“I’m for Narcan saving lives but not for enabling people.”
….I’m sorry to hear about your family but how does having a life saving medicine “enable” someone? and even if it did enable them, what is the alternative you’re arguing for? To ban it? to make it illegal to purchase it? or to only use it on addicts deemed “not reckless”?
@Tenesha86 ” I know we can’t say with 100% certainty that there’s a direct correlation between this surge in opiate related drug overdoses and increased availability of narcan but in my opinion it seems more than mere coincidence, I guess only time will tell.” — That is such faulty logic.
First of all if you’re going to call me out at least spell my name correctly, it’s Tanesha. Second how is it faulty logic? When I see an increase in one thing in the same time frame of another it makes me question if there might be connection there. I don’t think it’s mere coincidence and I think more research should be conducted to find out.
Sorry, that was a typo. But correlation is not causation.
It could just as easily be that Narcan is becoming more widely available because drug related overdoses are on the rise. I mean, the increase in overdoses *is* why Narcan is being made more widely available. Lee1 outlined some of the reasons ODs are increasing above. I’m not saying that what you are seeing isn’t happening, just that you attributing one as the cause of the other is faulty logic.
“Correlation is not causation”. Precisely.
I think what’s happening is that the same people are ODing over and over again but not dying bc they’re saved by Narcan. This fits the story in the comments above where one guy ODed 3 times in 1 day. I don’t think that the availability of Narcan is leading to people being more reckless. I think that the people who are already more reckless, and who would’ve always been reckless, are having their lives saved, and thus they are able to continue being reckless and ODIng. I think maybe there are increased overdoses bc an overdose no longer kills an addict. That addict keep living, but they also keep using bc treatment is so difficult to get into and expensive. If you have more addicts using for a longer period of time (instead of dying from their first OD) you’re going to have more overdoses. So I think that’s how Narcan and overdoses might correlate.
I am a recovering heroin and prescription opiate addict and when I read about celebrities who relapse, it makes me grateful that I’m not a celebrity. When you’re a celebrity, you have much more access to drugs and you have the money to pay for them, or the fame that leads to people just giving you drugs bc they want to hang out with you. Right now, if I wanted to use again, I’d have a very hard time getting my hands on any drugs bc I’ve deleted all of my dealers phone numbers from my phone, as well as all of my old using friends’ numbers. It’s been many years since I’ve used and even if I remembered the phone numbers, it’s likely that the dealers and old friends have changed their number (they often used prepaid throw away phones), had their cellphones turned off due to nonpayment (this would be for the using friends), and moved so I couldn’t just show up at their house. And bc I’m not highly visible in the public sphere like a famous person is, it’s much less likely that dealers or my old using friends would be able to find me or get ahold of me to ask me to buy or hang out. I’m not invited to huge parties where lots of people are using. I’m never offered free drugs by people who want to hang out with me bc I’m famous. It takes huge amounts of self control for a non-famous and poor person to get off of drugs and not relapse, so I can’t imagine how difficult it must be for celebrities to quit and stay quit when they’re surroubded by people whose job it is to get them whatever they want and to always say “yes.”
@Kitten I acknowledged the fact that Narcan saves lives in my first post, it’s a good thing and I am not at all against it. I simply said there are pros and cons to it as there is with any medication or medical treatment. I will also say it is very disheartening for many healthcare providers, myself included, to work hard to save the lives of those struggling with addiction just to see them end up back in the ER time and time again. It’s like you said, Narcan is a band-aid and not a cure all. I believe there’s a better solution.
Exactly. Narcan can save you from dying from an overdose, but it doesn’t treat addiction.
@ Tanesha86- I can imagine how disheartening it is to see. It’s interesting how many different perspectives are derived from the “chain” of healthcare providers from first responders to nurses to doctors. What sucks is that as a paramedic, my BF doesn’t get a follow-up diagnosis/outcome for any of his patients, so most of the time he never gets a complete picture of what happened. It blows my mind that there isn’t some sort of automatic follow-up provided to/by the ambulance company he works for. To me, it seems a necessary part of the ongoing educational process that is integral to his job…Sigh.
Anyway, thanks for all that you do. I know that a good nurse can make all the difference in the world for patients, medics AND doctors.
One has to have a family member or a friend that does to know what living with the life of a junkie is like. You do everything in your power to help even when you witness them killing themselves, when they steal from their loved ones to feed the addiction as you tiptoe through the needles. To hear them promise they will stop as your life savings is depleted out of love, sadness, but in reality enabling. Narcan and Suboxone can be a life saver, yes. But the person doing the drugs has to want to stop. Many doctors advise shutting them out of your life, in order to maintain your sanity. Sounds cruel. Try walking in another man’s shoes.
I work in the medical field and I’ve seen a lot of pain management patients receive prescriptions for something similar to Narcan, it’s in case they overdose or someone gets into their medication and overdoses. I don’t know if it’s required to have it or not but it sounds like it was a good thing someone had the Narcan for sure!
Yeah, if Narcan was kept on hand it is pretty clear she already had a very severe issue and was being heavily enabled by her friends and handlers. What a sad story. It is shocking how fast an addict can fall off the wagon, if she was ever on the wagon at all. Hope she is able to get well.
I do national and state curriculum development and trainings for general public, stakeholders, people working in outpatient clinics, loved ones and ESPECIALLY people with an active OR PAST opiate use disorder, because relapse happens all. The. Time. I’m a firm believer anyone who gets a script for painkillers should automatically have naloxone given with it. Children get into pills, animals, etc and naloxone is a NO HARM DRUG. I repeat NO HARM. It’s unfortunate she felt the need to be so adamant about it not being heroin (but opiates +benzos+alcohol = extreme risk of fatal overdose since naloxone only works on the opiate and all three are depressants). Naloxone is widely available in most states, and most states have good Samaritan laws that offer legal protections in the event of an overdose. Please see the Harm Reduction Coalition or Drug Policy Alliance as well as your state health departments for info. Or just ask me.
Frankly, a lot of people are carrying Narcan, and businesses that deal with the public are stocking it.
Anyone using opiate based drugs should keep Narcan on hand. Even the rare or casual drug user.
Depending on the state you live in, Narcan is available without a prescription because the opioid epidemic is so bad. I work in Substance Abuse treatment in Kentucky. You can go to any pharmacy and ask for Narcan. They will give it to you for free, I believe. Depending on the circumstances of your family, region, occupation, etc., I think responsible adults should keep it on hand. Probably because of where I live in rural Appalachia and my line of work, I carry it with me at all times.
Households where an adult is prescribed prescription pain relief should also consider keeping it on hand, especially if there are children or teens in the household. I have been involved in cases where children accidentally ingested pain pills and had to be rushed to the hospital.
This is sad. Addictions are awful.
I hope she finds the strength she needs.
This is sad. I assume it probably was heroin, and the family just doesn’t want that to be the narrative. I didn’t realize her old team and her split. That’s tough. Hope she can pull through. Staying sober is hard.
it is very sad. I agree that it probably was heroin, but they don’t want to admit that to the public, which I can understand. I do think that she’s struggled since her and Wilmer split, not that I like him or think he’s a great influence anyway. I don’t think he was giving quotes though, it reads to me like he talked to a friend and then they ran into a magazine.
They need to be honest to the public. Narcan is used to revive od’s from opioids. This is another reality check for Demi. If not for the Narcan, she may well be dead. Opioids are ugly, frightening and an epidemic across the country. If she can save a life of one of her fans by telling them the truth, she needs to. She was saved this time, but who knows what lie ahead. Be honest to yourself and those surrounding you. Fight the fight, Demi, and all the others out there who aren’t famous with the same monkey on their back.
We need to keep in mind that most of this information comes from TMZ, and they are not to be trusted. They are jumping to heroin, but it could be opiate abuse in a different form.
TMZ was blasting details to the world before her family had time to be notified. They’ve already issued one correction, so let’s take what they suggest with a grain of salt.
I read that she had previously gone to rehab for Oxy, so it could have been that. Or she made the jump that a lot of Oxy addicts do and graduated to heroin. That garbage needs to be taken off the market. The misery and death it has caused far outweighs any positive it has done for people.
The friends that came out to say “oh there’s been red flags for weeks! We knew she’d relapsed weeks ago” piss me off. I’m not a huge fan of Demi – I think she can be an asshat a lot of the time. But part of me still genuinely roots for her. And the fact that she (almost guarenteed) had enablers hanging around her – and probably enjoying the fame/lifestyle of being her friend while turning a blind eye to her struggles makes me livid.
Addiction and bipolar disorder are hard enough to deal with on their own. But struggling with both conditions must be absolute hell. I feel awful for her.
I don’t want to co-opt your comment because it is so true but I want to point out that some of her friends stick by her because they don’t want the totally shitty, user friends to take complete control of her life. Even a wonderful friend can’t make you stop using and some of her longtime pals have saved Demi’s life more than once. Only Demi can save Demi.
Erinn, that was my first thought yesterday. Either her “friends” knew she was using or they’re on smack too. She is lucky to be alive. If she has to go to rehab 20 times, then she HAS to. Most people her age think they are invincible, they’re not.
honestly, I think the only solution for her at this point seems to be either take a step back from the Limelight and surround yourself with solid people again and not enablers, or to permanently live in a rehab / sober living facility.
@Nancy: I would say that feeling of invincibility is magnified for people who are in their twenties AND wealthy celebrities.
Agreed. Hopefully she’ll really get whatever help she needs to recover, and her worrying about letting people down, her career, or how she’s perceived because of her illness won’t get in the way of her really getting that help. Hopefully this situation will be handled with some level of basic human decency and sensitivity by the rest of us.
This is the nature of addicts. They eventually surround themselves with people that are okay with their addiction so they can keep going. Demi is the one making the choice to use and the one responsible for this choice.
“And the fact that she (almost guarenteed) had enablers hanging around her – and probably enjoying the fame/lifestyle of being her friend while turning a blind eye to her struggles makes me livid.”
I doubt that they’re glomming on to her because of the money and fame, although I suppose that could be part of the allure. But most likely, they’re doing heroin too. People who use drugs generally surround themselves with other people who use. And the thing is, using together is a bonding experience so they likely are very close. Remember The Lemonheads song “My Drug Buddy”?
She has reportedly cut out a lot of people that were good for her. I wouldn’t be surprised if she has intentionally surrounded herself with enablers and other addicts. It’s the nature of the beast. The fact that they’re talking to tabloids about her is disgraceful though, I agree with that.
I hope that at the very least she sees the kind of crap friends they’ve been and brings back the good ones to her life if they want to be there.
If she goes for treatment and really wants to get better and off of drugs, she can have nothing to do with the people she is engaging with now. Not if she is in a 12 step program. She lived in a safe house for an entire year in 2012, so this is not anything new for Demi. She must have an extremely addictive personality. Rough times ahead. History has proven others have beaten it, so can too, but has to really want it.
Both of her parents struggled with addiction and mental illness as well.
She has said she was doing cocaine in secret even when she had a sober companion with her 24/7, that she was smuggling cocaine on airplanes, and that she was using other people’s urine to pass drug tests, so definitely an addictive personality to say the least. Cocaine usually doesn’t kill people until their hearts give out in middle age. Opiates are another beast entirely. She seems like such a fighter. I hope she finds the strength and desire to get sober.
Her older sister has been to rehab as well. Hopefully her mom and sister are sober currently and she can depend on them as a source of strength. When an entire family struggles with addiction, it complicates the situation even more.
I would not wish Hollywood fame on my worst enemy. Its a gilded cage.
While the pressures of fame (especially while young and female) and the enablers that come with it probably didn’t help, there’s no guarantee that Demi wouldn’t have had this struggle if she had never become famous, especially when you factor in the issues that her parents had before that.
Came here to say that. While it’s true she could have an addiction wherever she lives, it just seems so much more likely in Hollywood, New York, areas that cater to and provide for those with fame.
Sycophants are not healthy. I want to bundle her up and move her to a town where the most night life is a festival on the town square and take care of her.
Don’t know about fame per se, a lot of people do ok. But being a child star seem to be the kiss of death, I’d never put my child through that. MOst seems to go off track eventually.
Demi was an unprotected child actor. How many make it out of that alive or without significant damage? The drugs provided to young stars is really criminal and the abuse can destroy someone’s soul.
The fact that she dated Wilmer, who preys on underage girls was always a red flag to me. She has struggled with an ED, bipolar, personality issues and drug addictions since she was a teenager. Sadly nothing seems to have stabilized her.
She has unencumbered access to hard drugs and will continue to have access to them. There will be people who count on her using so she can be ‘on’ and easily managed. She would have to completely clean house and change her whole life to avoid this in her future. I hope she is able. I really do.
Sending lot of love and strenght to Demi.
My goodness, the fact that a friend carries Narcan says a lot about the situation. This is incredibly sad 🙁 I’m not a huge fan of hers (honestly can’t stand her half the time, kinda see her as a mean girl) but I’m rooting for her, just like I’ve always been when it comes to her mental health and addiction. Happy that she’s awake and doing better
The fact that her friends would have Narcan to hand is such an indicator of what level of addiction she was at. My uncle was an addict and would always carry Narcan with him. Where I lived as part of harm reduction it was handed out to addicts at a needle exchange. Thankfully he never needed to use it and has been clean for 10 years so fingers crossed for Demi.
Good for him, He is in the minority. First they retract that a friend gave her Narcan and then that she was using Heroin. Changing the stories isn’t going to help her. She has to look at her demons right in the eye, and the demon of addiction is a mother effer.
I agree totally with you. That’s 10 years clean after many many relapses, hitting the bottom and then really hitting the bottom and still realising there was further to go.
We’ve had a lot of lies before from Demi herself and I imagine her friends and agent are not exactly good sources at the moment. She has claimed sobriety before when she wasn’t really sober. That is a pattern for her. There is the public Demi and the private Demi, two very different people.
I get the impression from things that Demi has said over the years that she doesn’t yet truly realize that for an addict, there is no such thing as partial sobriety. She has to be either 100% sober or not. She can’t use drugs and alcohol recreationally like non-addicts.
Hope she figures it out soon. This was a very close call. Maybe she needs another really long rehab again and then living in a supervised facility. Short rehab stays don’t seem to be very successful for serious addicts. I doubt that she does well unsupervised, so nonresidential may not be a good idea for her.
Since NARCAN is an opioid antagonist, she took some form of opioids. It doesn’t work on other drugs. If not heroin, there certainly is much to choose from; fentanyl, codeine, morphine, oxytocin, hydrocodone…
@Leah Fentanyl is such a scary thing. My city has seen an over 100% increase in heroin deaths in the last year and I believe fentanyl has something to do with it. I hope that’s not the case for her, she’s playing with fire with any drug as an addict but fentanyl is a whole bother beast
Yeah, none of the things Narcan reverses are good, so she’s in trouble no matter what. Doesn’t matter if it’s heroin or not, she’s already in deep doodoo with whatever she’s addicted to.
A lot of the people on this thread are being incredibly kind. I’ve got much more of a tough love approach to addicts. They only hurt themselves and everyone around them. It sucks and it’s sad, but I feel worse for her family and friends that have to put up with her crap. Hope she gets the helps he needs soon.
I had a close family member who was a crack cocaine addict for about a decade – lost his great job, destroyed his marriage, his kids, bankrupted his very elderly parents, stole money from me (I’m taking well over 300 000$ taken from myself and my parents). My family took his kids in so they would be properly fed, loved and taken care of. We tried to get him into rehab but his wife refused treatment because she wanted to heal him with essential oils and crystals (I wish I was joking). He nearly died, he was arrested for several DUIs. Eventually he sought out-patient treatment and has been sober for several years now, but hasnt taken any personal responsibility for the pain he caused his family and it’s awful to see the long term consequences of his addiction in our family. In my head I understand I need to have more empathy for him, but he destroyed so many people, I find it hard to forgive him. I’m working on it…
@originallala be kinder to yourself. What you experienced with your family member was traumatic. You don’t expect someone in your own family to slowly start destroying your family unit from the inside out. From my experience, the fact that he won’t take responsibility for anything puts him at a bigger risk for relapsing. That’s how it was with my family member. Fell off the wagon a dozen times before actually going to a therapist and slowly acknowledging that he treated the people who loved him most like absolute garbage and apologizing. Hasn’t fallen off since and I think it has to do with guilt being lifted.
That’s what I was thinking, that the family is playing games by parsing things out finely: it’s not heroin! While knowing it was an opiate and may as well have been heroin.
I think you meant “oxycodone” not oxytocin
In the midst of all the sad news (my own sister is a heroin addict with mental health issues who just got kicked out of her 11th rehab stint), reading the word oxytocin in this context gave me a much needed smile.
Dani, maybe she will be successful in her 12th rehab. Steven Tyler was a junkie. He jokes now it was harder getting off of nicotine. I pray your sister has hit her bottom. Nobody knows what it is that makes an addict finally relent and get well, but I hope it will be your sister’s fate. Healthy and happy. I know what you are going through, the family. It’s misery.
Well I for one am addicted to oxytocin 😀 <3
On a serious note: good luck to you and your sister, and internet hugs from a stranger!
She already had a problem with cocaine and oxycodone. When I heard this news I immediately assumed oxy.
Opiods are hardcore. But there’s a lot more of a sketchy/negative connotation when most people think of heroine addicts compared to those who are addicted to prescription pills. Which is why they’re probably quick to say it wasn’t heroin.
The fact that someone had narcan doesn’t necessarily mean that they were concerned for Demi; all the friends were likely using and noone really wants to die, so they have it onhand. There was probably more than one Narcan with the friends because they all know what they are doing. I just had another acquaintance die last week from heroin and honestly I’ve lost count.
This was might thought too. Someone with Narcan on hand is probably someone using opioids, not just someone who’s really on top of Demi’s problems.
Sorry to hear about your acquaintance. That stuff shakes you, even if you weren’t close.
Yeah, I think this was the case. If she was on an all-night bender and OD’d just before noon on a Tuesday, she’s obviously surrounded by other addicts. Maybe even a dealer. The fact that they all scattered like cockroaches before the EMTs arrived tells me they were scared of getting in trouble themselves and were probably almost as loaded as she was.
It may not have been heroin. Fentanyl is being cut into all sorts of drugs, including cocaine. It’s entirely possible that she thought she was taking one thing and ended up with an opiate OD.
As far as “why would someone have Narcan”—EVERYONE should have Narcan. Imagine how many deaths could be prevented! *I* have Narcan, not because I use drugs, but because I have kids so when I was prescribed painkillers a fewyears ago, they gave me Narcan as well and I kept it.
This exactly. I had a patient come in to the ER last month for an overdose after doing cocaine for the first time in his life. He had no idea it had been laced with fentanyl. Thankfully he got to go home to his family alive that night after observation.
“EVERYONE should have Narcan. Imagine how many deaths could be prevented!”
Absolutely agree 100%
I don’t think everyone should have to have Narcan. I work in a public service field where carrying Narcan is becoming increasingly more common. However, I am not a nurse or a paramedic or anything remotely like that. I think it’s too much to ask your average person to have to administer an overdose medication as a part of their job.
Are you a librarian? The public library in my city has started putting the staff through mandatory Narcan training. It’s a lot to ask, but I honestly think that the more people who are trained on it the better, and librarians spend a lot of time working with high risk groups. I think it’s a smart move. I’d rather be able to administer it than have someone OD in my restroom.
Miss B – it probably should be a routine part of first aid kits by now.
I hope she recovers, gets help and finds her way. She’s so young. I always thought she had a great voice too.
It’s amazing to me that she’s only 25! I thought she was at least 3-4 years older.
Me too!!!! I thought she was 30 at least. Not a dig on her, just a reminder of how long she’s been in the spotlight–most of her life, really. In the past, I’ve never much cared for her but I feel nothing but empathy and sadness for her right now.
Yes, my daughter and I watched her on Disney ages ago, it seems.
I think it’s especiakly hard as a very young person, like 25 and under, to accept that they are an addict for life and that they may not be able to ever use any substance ever again. And apparently her battle with addiction began when she was a teenager. Imagine being a teenager and having to face the fact that you must live 100% completely sober for the rest of your life. You’re not even allowed to legally drink yet. You won’t be able to have that crazy 21st bday party or have a champagne toast at your wedding. To be only 18 or 20 and accept the fact that your partying days are behind you already, that you will always be the designated driver, or worse, that you will not even be able to go to your friends’ birthday parties, bachelorette parties, or weddings because you are not yet able to trust yourself in any sort of setting where drugs or alcohol may be available. I have a lot of respect for the very young people who are able to face the truth, accept their addiction, and accept that they’re going to have to live the rest of their hopefully long lives in sobriety.
Addiction is a bitch. Particularly for creative people, some artists come to believe they need drugs to get their creativity going. It’s was coming, if you follow Demi at all, you could see she was off the rails even before she released the song. Glad that it was not lethal. Hope she uses this as a wake up call, take time off and go to rehab. That Wilmer guy seems to be a douche, but he did stick to her all the way and she was fine when she was with him. All the best to her.
Addiction is a beast that no one deserves. I wish her luck in her recovery.
My heart broke when I saw the news. I’m cheering for her. Addiction is a beast.
I feel bad for Demi. Addiction is such a monster for the average person to deal with, I can’t imagine living with that kind of pressure to stay sober. I have my own issues, and I know firsthand the shame of relapsing when only a few people know about it, let alone millions. And thousands of people aren’t telling me that I helped them get sober or go to treatment. I hope she gets a good treatment team and takes the time she needs.
+1 Poor girl. I wouldn’t wish addiction on my worst enemy.
Poor woman. All the best to her.
My problem with her is the lies. Sober or not sober, I don’t want an update every few months, especially if it’s all bullshit.
Yes, she’s always been a world class liar. She does have a spectacular voice, though, and did even as a young teenager. I wish people would take advantage of technology and not push young talented kids into the stressful life of touring and tv series.
Addicts feel they HAVE to lie. And they are the best liars.
She’s so wealthy and it’s sad someone is supplying her. I wonder if she should go away from the spotlight. It’s been such a roller coaster. Man I hope young girls heed the warnings and don’t idolize this.
There was an ad campaign in the NYC subway about Naloxone (brand name Narcan) raising awareness about administering it to people who had ODed with testimonials of people who had saved loved ones by using it. This is the only reason I am familiar with it. I can’t remember what it said on how to get Narcan but I’m pretty sure it included details on how to get it. According to this NYT article, pharmacies have not exactly followed through on making the drug readily available: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/12/nyregion/overdose-antidote-naloxone-investigation-hard-to-buy.html
But it is steps in the right direction.
I hope Demi pulls through. I know she’s struggled with addiction for a long time and I hope her friends and family will help her get through this.
She’s very lucky to have been saved by her friends. She could have very easily ended up like so many others that overdose, stop breathing or vomit and aspirate into their lungs and go into cardiac arrest.
I am so thankful her friends gave the narcan to her!!! She is one of my favorite singers and her voice gives me chills when I hear it. I’m older than her by a few years and she has been very open about her struggles. I don’t even know her and would be heartbroken if she wasn’t here anymore. Recovery is a lifelong road. Wishing her the very best at this fragile time.
I have a family member than helps run a homeless shelter and it’s heartbreaking how many are trying their best to live sober lives. Many vets who were self medicating. Many people who were given legal prescriptions from doctors that got addicted and are now self medicating with street drugs. They lost everything. The drugs these days are more deadly as they are being cut with crazy things, and you never know how much something is laced with. Fentanyl is so, so horrible and it’s ALL OVER. It’s a very scary time. Narcan should be available!!!! If you get sober then relapse, your body can’t take your ‘usual amount’ to get that high. They end up accidentally overdosing. So heartbreaking.
That is my humble opinion. Let’s save people lives. If your dead, you can’t get into rehab. Our world is so broken. I actually am taking a break from the news apps on my phone. I read a few stories last week involving toddlers and I’m livid and furious and defeated. I’m actually trying to figure out how to take action. Laws need to be harsher for adults who hurt our most helpless, our babies and kids. I can’t just read the news anymore. I have to do something. Now I’m crying again and I’m sorry for the rant.
Heythere!… Just wanted to let you know I’m right there with you. My heart is currently breaking over terrible news every other day, and I cry more often than I usually do, but I also want to get my energy together and do something positive. Thank you for you words, your openness, and your kindness that makes you want to support others. Sending you a warm hug. Thank you.
As always, Demi is still concerned with the image she projects. It doesn’t matter if she OD’d on heroin or something else. She is an addict, who is in such a bad place that her friends were already prepared with Narcan. And until the day she can be really honest (because she hasn’t been – she’s spent the last 6 years swearing that she’s sober, and then when she admits that she fell off she still minimizes it) she’s doomed to repeat this cycle.
Yeah the whole “i’ve been sober for 6 years” is total BS. She’s been seen in and out of bars for awhile now. Because the reality is relaspes are very common.
Also, the fact she is trying to lie about being sober is telling. I know addicts who swear they “quit” but really, they just slightly toned down their drug use (more likely due to problems with the court/police, family pressure, or financial pressure – not out of an inner desire to actually cut down or quit) but are still using.
The thing about addicts….We don’t quit unless we want to quit. Addicts don’t quit drugs for anyone else but ourselves …we quit when we truly want to..until then its pointless…and wont quit until we are are ready and sometimes we never are ready and one day we dont wake up. The fact she wouldnt tell the EMT what she OD on is a red flag that she is still covering up her problem and is not ready to accept help.
It may be her concern for it to to become public. I completely agree with your assessment. Sobriety is so hard to talk about it and I feel like, when Demi spoke up about it, it almost felt like she just really want to *believe* that she could stay sober. I can’t imagine being in Hollywood, in my 20’s, a pop star, being surrounded by yes people, trying to stay sober. Sounds effing impossible.
Addicts carry Narcan because they don’t want to die and want to keep using. I get that its widely available, but her crew is carrying it for a reason.
I think you are right, she is more concerned about her public image then getting clean/getting help. I mean the fact she wouldnt cooperate with the EMTS who are trying to save her LIFE speaks to the fact that they isn’t ready to save herself from drugs. Addicts keep so many secrets so we can continue to use.
I also agree about your view of carrying Narcan. They kids dont have a death wish- they carry Narcan so they can stay alive and keep using.
Addicts, by the very nature of the disease, lie. And while I don’t think that she owes us (the public) anything, her continued choice to lie shows that she isn’t clean and may never really have been. She went to rehab in the first place in an attempt to save her career because her behavior was so bad, and she genuinely has a problem – but until the day she can truly face it, all of this is just for image. It’s sad.
As far as the Narcan goes, I think that is more a symptom than a cause. If someone is so deep in the throes of addiction that they could potentially OD, the Narcan isn’t pushing them over the edge it’s simply planning for an eventuality.
“..She is more concerned about her public image then getting clean/getting help.” You might be right. It’s probably pretty easy for a child star to fall into that way of thinking because for them, there’s so much emphasis on how something makes them (or others around them) look, or who will be ‘let down’ by something. They may sometimes end up putting not looking bad over what’s actually best for them.
To be fair, she released a song just recently where she sings, “I’m so sorry, I’m not sober”.
Oh Bridget, what a post. Your words literally gave me chills. Well said.
I have a chronic illness which I take opioids for and am given Narcan just in case. Many people have it.
I’m glad you have that safety net but sorry you have to deal with chronic pain.
Anna, that’s a whole different story. You take your medication for pain management. Hopefully, it works for you and you only take it when necessary. People who aren’t addicted shouldn’t have to feel guilty about taking a prescribed med. Hang in there!
I feel like i have heard rumors about her coke problem for a long time. If they were up all night partying and she is sleeping it off at noon, I suspect she was blowing rails of coke all night and took some sort of opiod to “come down” and sleep. And this is extremely dangerous to do…because overdose. Your heart just can’t take the uppers and downers
I have feeling this won’t end well for her. If she doesn’t completely change careers and quit Hollywood – she will never get sober and probably die young. How can anyone be sober in Hollywood once you are an addict?
Seeing as fentanyl isn’t only cut into heroin, it is entirely possible that the blow she was doing did this too.
I did read an article about cocaine laced with fentanyl is some parts of the US this year. Maybe she caught a batch of that
I use to have a huge cocaine problem. I literally quit my job (surrounded by coke heads – thats sales for ya) and I had to move cities away from my dealer and I cannot be around it – it is too tempting and I know I can’t say no. I had to address my inner void and why I chose to self-medicate with cocaine. You take it one day at a time. Demi needs to get away from temptation or she will never heal.
Here in Vancouver and surrounding areas, health authorities etc. have also been warning about Carfentanil, which they say is 1000x stronger than Fentanyl and it’s being laced into cocaine, heroin, meth.
I have a friend that is a paramedic & he often works in the DT Eastside of Vancouver; a while ago he told me about an addict he knows that actually OD something like 6 times in 1 day. They are actually handing out drug testing kits so people can test their supply before consuming. It is all just so sad. Addiction is no joke,
@Juliette I am in Victoria and yes, we have major issues with carfentnyl as well.
And here I have known of about 8 people who have been friends of friends who have overdosed using coke laced with fentanyl not heroin so it is a thing. I’ve also had friends stop because of it, thankfully.
Poor girl. I struggle with sugar addiction and it’s an annoyance, I can’t imagine the magnitude of a drug addiction. I hope she’s able to get sober again, and quickly, there may not be friends around with Narcan next time.
I pray she finds the courage and strength to get sober and healthy again. Addiction is a terrible demon I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. I’m 36 and have been to treatment 4 times. I work in mental health and have been fortunate enough to have a fantastic career (13 years) in a field that understands addiction and mental health and I have a very strong support system. It still wasn’t always enough. I’m happily sober now and love myself, but I know the addicts brain will always attempt to play tricks with me. “You can handle just one.”, “You’ve been sober so long now, just drink responsibly.”, “If you’re alone, no one will know, it’s ok.”
I hope I never listen again. Because I know I’m fun, happy and free without alcohol. I’m sober, but I’ll always be an addict. I can only imagine what life is like for those that don’t have the resources, support, or finances to be able to attempt sobriety that I have had access to.
Her bipolar disorder greatly enhances the addiction risk and it will be a lifelong battle. Hoping she gets the help she needs.
This girl has lived a life and a half in just 25 short years. She is incredibly talented and I wish nothing but recovery for her. She needs to take several steps back from the limelight and get better. And I don’t mean a 60 day recovery program and back at it. I mean like 2 years. I realize she is an entertainer and it’s her business BUT I’m sure she has more money than most and can survive just fine without working.
All of that being said, we cannot assume that just because she OD’d she is on the path to recovery. She may still not be ready for it, as sad as that is.
Yeah I think she needs to grow up and mature into a young woman out of the spotlight.
Like go become a monk at a buddhist temple in the mountains of Tibet or go live on a horse ranch in the desolate wilderness of Montana. She will never quit drugs living in Hollywood, I truly believe she needs to go into seclusion away from society and temptation and grow spiritually.
Agree, Mela. She has enough $$ to go away and get treatment. She’s lucky. Personally, I don’t care enough about her to send thoughts and prayers. I’m annoyed that with her advantages, she’s ODing on opiates. I know this is unpopular, but *shrug*.
Thank god for Narcan. We don’t want to lose Demi. Addiction is hell on earth.
In my experience working in a rehab, addicts can become passively suicidal when they’re using as they just stop caring about themselves and life. I haven’t met one addict who did heroin thinking “well if I overdosed, at least there’s narcan!” Most addicts use in solitude so it’d be a stretch to think that someone will find them early enough (respiratory failure occurs quickly in overdose) and have narcan on them. It can be very painful to receive narcan as it usually sets the user until immediate withdrawal. I don’t agree that it’s making addicts ” more reckless” as heroin addiction just naturally makes people more reckless over time. I’m concerned that equating Narcan with “more recklessness” increases stigma of addicts being seen as stupid, lazy, crazy, drain on society, etc. I’ve heard rumors of people having “narcan parties” which if you tell that to a heroin addict they laugh at the ridiculous falseness of this. Let’s just be grateful Narcan exists and has helped way more people than it has likely contributed to anymore recklessness.
The person I knew couldn’t beat the addiction and killed themselves. They couldn’t stop but they couldn’t keep going either. Your statement about suicide is spot on.
I’m sorry magnoliarose. It’s tragic. I knew three people under 30 who died from heroin overdoses. Not too many junkies make it out alive. Currently, it’s the fentanyl laced heroin that’s killing people. Much like mental illness, people talk in whispers about addiction, especially heroin. It generally takes a celebrity death to get the conversation going again. I’ve been reading the comments and lived through some rough times regarding this topic. There are no answers. If there are, they can’t bring back the ones who got caught up in the nightmare. Prayers up to your friend and all those who are hurting. It makes sad that someone can feel so helpless, they feel the only way out is suicide. Sucks
My dad’s drug of choice was Versed. Always found vials of it and walked in many times with the tourniquet around his arm.
@NicoleSGA
I am sorry you saw that. I gasped when I read your post. I always feel sorry for the children of addicts. That is rough. Hugs.
@Nancy
I miss this person. I don’t miss the drama and anxiety but I would accept it in my life again if it meant they would be here again. I hate what addiction does to people and their minds. Unfortunately, like you, I have been around several. The scariest thing is when someone overdoses and lives only to watch them go right back to the poison.
Thank you RoseyMags and Nancy. It’s tough especially being prescribed meds for my chronic pain, but I’m Strong. I can do this and not be a slave to the meds. Fiance knows everything to look for in my eyes, mood, etc. I apologize that I simply cannot read any of this thread. My heart aches too much for this. All I think is there is no rock bottom for her but like Nurse Jackie and so many countless others. People make you feel NO better when needing chronic pain meds either. It’s bummer and a half.
My sister was an alcoholic and committed suicide a few months after she stopped drinking. She did a lot of other drugs in her lifetime, but alcohol was always her main drug of choice. Demi has pretty serious mental health issues as well, so I hope they are watching her closely right now and if and when she gets sober.
Everything you said about Narcan is spot on. The people saying Narcan encourages recklessness remind me of the backwards politicians saying birth control and sex ed encourage teen sex. It increases the stigma of addiction and it demonizes addicts.
Sorry KB. This has been a rough day. Like having a Tennessee Williams play smacked on your head. People downplay alcohol, as if it isn’t as deadly as drugs. It is a drug and it is deadly. I wish you and yours peace no matter how long ago or recent your sister’s death was. My heart aches for her and everyone who is, was or will go through addiction, whether it be drugs, booze, whatever takes over their lives. A living hell on earth. I hope you are ok, you sound like a very centered person who accepts reality. Hugs
Unfortunately, ODing isn’t a thought with most addicts. They are suicidal as it is and they know there is a possibility. I had a friend whose husband was addicted to crack and ended up hospitalized on more than one occasion because he OD’d on purpose because he wanted the addiction to end and if it ended his life then so be it.
I don’t think most addicts are suicidal at all. They don’t want to die, they want to get high!
Terrible. God be with her. She’s a beautiful young woman.
Sending every good vibe I can her way. I have addiction issues that I am so adamant to not be a statistic, that my fiance keeps all my narcotics. I WILL not be my father. One day at a time. One second at a time. We love you. You are young and beautiful inside/out and capable and deserve to be on this planet.
Nicole: I just looked up Versed. You said “was.” Is he still alive? I’m sorry for your troubles Nicole. You aren’t a statistic, you’re brave. I have to get off of this thread. I have a house full of people waiting on me, but I wanted to wish you the very best and never, ever give up. xo
Nancy,
He is alive but relapses so much I have no clue how he is alive.
My mom died of a prescription drug overdose last May. She was 67 years old and was an addict since the age of 15 always alcohol on and off until she discovered pain pills in her late 40s. As hard as it was to watch her struggle while alive I still miss her so so much and wish she could have fought a little longer.
Substance abuse therapist of over a decade here. Just wanted to add a few things:
1. The proliferation of Fenatayl and Fentanyl-laced heroin have contributed greatly to the increase in opioid overdoses.
2. Overdoses tend to come in clusters within communities. When heroin addicts hear of a local user overdosing, they will seek out the dealer/source of that heroin rather than avoiding it. The lethal heroin will be labeled “the good stuff.” Addicts do not seek out lethal heroin because they believe they will be revived with Narcan. They seek it out because they are looking to get as high as possible, and in the case of some are willing to risk life and limb to do that.
3. Cocaine can also be laced with Fentanyl, resulting in frequent overdose. We have had several fatal cocaine overdoses in our community within the past month. These users can also be revived with Fentanyl.
Been only commenting recently (long time lurker and fan of the site) laid up with a surgically repaired broken right collarbone. At any rate, I do hope Demi has hit rock bottom and is serious about understanding that she is an an addict that cannot manage her addiction. Meaning she cannot party at all. Which is a harsh truth for a 25 year old who has already been through rehab and apparently loves drugs (her words) and while being honest about using them is still not ready to quit. I lost my dad to addiction. Would have been nice if he had met my husband or walked me down the aisle. My brother did. He was a doctor and he thought he could manage his addiction. By manage I mean party just a little. When u are an addict it’s forever. You can’t leave rehab and just drink or drug a little bit. You can’t ever use if you want to be ok. I’ve seen it through bitter personal experience and helping those through organizations I met after my dad died. You are an addiction Demi. You will always be in recovery. You cannot just have one glass of wine or whatever because that’s how it sadly works. You aren’t a social user. I hope she reaches out to the people who have her best interests at heart. Also, the true love of her life might be out there and it’s not Wilder whatever. Anyway I like this site. I wish her the best.
Nice to have you here Nicole and I hope your recovery is fast. I’m so sorry you lost your dad and I agree that addicts can’t just use a little. I am one of those people who can’t have one glass of wine or one vodka soda, you explained it well.
Thank you! 🙂
We love you, Nicole! Welcome!!