PHOTOSDemi Lovato 'Devastated' After Friend Dies Following Addiction Battle
Demi Lovato is mourning the loss of a friend. On Wednesday, October 9, the singer took to Instagram to post a poignant tribute to Thomas and shine a spotlight on the realities of addiction.
On her Instagram Story, Demi, 27, posted a series of black and white pictures of Thomas. “Devastated,” she wrote. “Please hold your loved ones tight. Tell them they are special and that you love them. Make sure they know it. RIP to my boo @sirtruss.”
The “Sober” singer then took the opportunity to address her followers directly. “Addiction is NO joke,” she typed. “Heaven gained this beautiful angel last night because of that terrible disease. I’m crushed and will always miss you @sirtruss. If you or someone you know is struggling please know it’s okay to ask for help.”
This isn’t the first time addiction and its serious consequences have hit home for Demi. In July 2018, the Disney Channel alum suffered an overdose that led to her being hospitalized. After being released, Demi stayed in a treatment facility until November 2018.
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After leaving the treatment facility, Demi lived with her mom Dianna De La Garza for half the time and in a sober living placement for the other. When the Camp Rock star finally returned to social media after weeks of keeping a low profile, she used Instagram to speak candidly about her near-death experience. “I have always been transparent about my journey with addiction,” she wrote at the time. “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.”
“I want to thank God for keeping me alive and well,” she continued before adding, “I now need time to heal and focus on my sobriety and road to recovery."
"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. I will keep fighting," she added.
In February 2019, Demi reentered rehab but sources close to her insisted it was a preventative measure. “She has not relapsed since she overdosed. She did recently go to a facility, but it was her own decision,” the insider told People. “It was one trip to a treatment facility for a few weeks outside of Los Angeles.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please contact the SAMHSA substance abuse helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
