Why Demi Lovato Felt Like She Was in a “Walking Coma” Years After Her Near-Fatal 2018 Overdose

Demi Lovato recently opened up about the profound struggles she faced in the aftermath of her near-fatal drug overdose in 2018. The singer, known for hits like “Skyscraper,” shared her experiences of being “California sober,” a term used to describe individuals who use cannabis while avoiding other drugs, years after the harrowing incident. In her 2021 docuseries, “Demi Lovato: Dancing With the Devil,” she mentioned that she was “smoking weed and drinking in moderation” as part of her recovery journey. However, the 31-year-old now realizes that it wasn’t the best approach.

“I had to learn it on my own,” she revealed during her appearance on “The Howard Stern Show” on September 11. Lovato explained that she ended up “smoking so much weed and taking edibles, sometimes up to 300mg at a time,” thinking it was a safer substitute for her previous addiction. She candidly shared that this shift led her into a state of “deep depression” marked by a “profound sadness.”

During this period, Lovato experienced significant weight gain and withdrew from the world, preferring to stay indoors, fearing judgment from others. She described it as being in a “walking coma,” where she couldn’t feel pain but also couldn’t experience joy.

In late 2021, Lovato made a significant change in her life by completely eliminating all substances and seeking treatment. She shared her journey to full sobriety on her Instagram Stories, stating that “sober sober is the only way.” Looking back, she recognized that being “California sober” had been a slippery slope that led her back into her addiction struggles. Lovato credited abstinence as the key to her recovery.

In her interview, the former Disney Channel star also discussed the lingering effects of her overdose, including vision problems that have impacted her ability to drive. Despite these challenges, she expressed a positive outlook on life, focusing on living in the present moment and maintaining a healthy perspective.

As Lovato reflects on her journey to recovery, she encourages others to avoid dwelling on past regrets and to embrace a positive attitude toward the future.

Stay tuned for more stories about Demi Lovato and other celebrities’ paths to sobriety.

[Additional sections of the article discuss the sobriety journeys of other celebrities like Tom Holland, Demi Moore, Matthew Perry, Noah Cyrus, Dax Shepard, Jamie Lee Curtis, Drew Barrymore, Bradley Cooper, Brad Pitt, Ryan Phillippe, Kanye West, and Jada Pinkett Smith.]