Demi Lovato Opens Up About Mental Illness Ahead of Five-Year Sobriety

Demi Lovato wants those struggling with mental illness to know it’s possible to live well.

The 24-year-old entertainer has been open about her struggles with addiction and her bipolar disorder diagnosis but she doesn’t let it stop her from living a fulfilling life.

“If you know someone or if you’re dealing with it yourself, just know that it is possible to live well. I’m living proof of that,” she told People.

Demi explained that an important aspect of her recovery has been her family, friends and treatment team, saying, “They’re there for me at any moment of the day and will be there to support me throughout my recovery. That relationship is ongoing – it’s not something where you see a therapist once or you see your psychiatrist once, it’s something you maintain to make sure that you want to live with mental illness. You have to take care of yourself.”

With her five-year sobriety anniversary coming up in March, Demi added, “Every day is a work in progress so hopefully I make it to 2017 with my sobriety. I take it one day at a time and for today I’m doing great.”