We just heard the tragic story of Dennis Shields, a NY-based banker who passed away after an opiate overdose last week. Shields was known by the press as he was Bethenny Frankel’s boyfriend. He reportedly asked his assistant to administer the life-saving drug Narcan, but it did not work in time. Demi Lovato has been recovering in hospital following an overdose. She was given Narcan by someone close to her at the time and it may have saved her life. There was debate as to whether she would seek treatment after her released. She is now reportedly seeing a specialist and will head to rehab for several months. Demi has canceled all tour dates scheduled for this fall to focus on her recovery. E! has some sourced quotes on Demi’s plans. They also curiously note that she is not in contact with Wilmer Valderrama, her ex. This contradicts a report in US Magazine that Wilmer has been checking in on Demi.
Upon leaving Cedars-Sinai hospital last week, the pop star immediately entered rehab for addiction treatment and now, a source tells E! News, “She will be in rehab for several months and is doing an extensive program to ensure she gets the help she needs.” The 25-year-old is currently in Chicago, where she is undergoing treatment with a therapist who focuses on sobriety, mental health and wellness.
The insider reports that Demi “hasn’t been in communication with anyone and is really focusing on herself.” That also includes limiting contact with her ex-boyfriend, Wilmer Valderrama, who visited the singer at the hospital as she recovered from extreme nausea and high fever.
“Wilmer has been in touch with the family and has been checking in on Demi’s status,” but has been unable to speak to the “Sorry Not Sorry” singer as she undergoes treatment. The source explained, “The family is trying to make sure they eliminate all distractions and want her to be focusing on her health right now.”
Overall, “Demi is doing much better,” both mentally and physically. “She has become more open and is happy she is getting the help she needs,” especially after she began to “grasp the severity of what happened and that she almost died.”
So this sounds like it comes from Demi’s people while the US article was much more slated toward Wilmer’s side. Demi’s team must have heard the complaints that Wilmer is not the best influence on her. Demi’s story just brings it home how common and insidious addiction is and how it can affect people from all walks of life. I’m glad Demi is ok and that she has good people around her. Hopefully rehab will help her focus on recovery and give her the tools she needs to stay sober. Also, she doesn’t need to continue a grueling tour schedule if she doesn’t want to. There is likely a ton of pressure on her to perform and I hope she’s allowed to say no and to take her career in a direction that feels healthy and balanced.
photos via Instagram/Demi Lovato
I thinks its wonderful that she has that option. I hope that she comes through on the other side healthy and with a new perspective.
I hope for all the best to her. She needs to recover and be surrounded by good people who will support her.
The problem with opioids is that out of all drugs, it’s the one that makes every bad day in your live go away, and you feel great, it makes some people sleepy and nod, but I have seen people get energy as well. And for anyone with a poor self image, lack of confidence, these drugs are the holy grail, alas until you come down. Like Cinderella at the ball the clock runs out. This is the cycle of addiction. Many people overdose when they try to stay away from it, their tolerance is back to zero, and using the same amount they did previously an overdose happens. It takes years to get your brain back to normal. I don’t judge and have great empathy.
I had four surgeries last year and was given oxy for three of them. Still have three almost full bottles I need to dispose of safely. It knocks me out immediately and generally makes me feel like I’m wading through water. In rehab (for alcohol), I met people who were taking 30/day and more. They were pretty obviously getting something out of it that I don’t and their brain chemistry was hella screwed up as they tried to come off it. Terrible stuff.
Just read that NY is suing Purdue Pharma for its role in sparking the oxy crisis. Good.
in Canada, the pharmacy will take back and dispose of any unused prescription drugs. i don’t know if they do that in the U.S.
I broke my ankle on Friday and am having surgery tomorrow. I was also given oxy (percocet?) with no previous history of painkillers. I know exactly what you mean, I close my eyes and I am swimming. It’s not actually doing much for the discomfort, but it sure does make me not care. I can see why it’s so addictive, absolutely.
Nichole, Best of luck with your surgery tomorrow!
Thinking about you having surgery in a few hours, Nichole! Take the pain meds as you need them over the next few days then try to avoid if you can. Percocet is strong stuff (oxy plus Tylenol…I think). Addictive but also a godsend when you are in real agony.
@ Sansa, such kind words, I share your sentiments fully.
Addiction is a catastrophe for all who have been touched by it. I am one of those people and have 8 years sobriety from alcohol. I worry for the people who have to navigate their journey in the public eye.
I am also terrified for people whose drug of choice is any that can contain fentanyl. People I know are dying left and right.
I don’t have the answer for anyone but myself, i have landed in the program that works for me, and I am not going to give up my seat for anything. One thing that I believe is really important for healing is acceptance and understanding from others.
Best wishes to Demi, Ben, and EVERYONE in this fight for life.
I hope for her sake that she doesn’t just take the 30 days and get back to life as previously scheduled. She has the ability to take a long, hard look at her sobriety and work on herself. She will always have her voice, she can come back to that. Living is so much more important.
It seems she’s only there due to familial pressure. If she doesn’t have that “Come to Jesus” moment with herself, she’ll just go back to using. I really hope not. I’d hate for her to become another statistic when she has so much to live for.
You work on yourself, girl. The world will wait, and we have your back!
I may be wrong, but I think that if she is in treatment they are limiting contact to everyone – including Wilmer.
I get why people dislike him but I don’t get why people think he’s a bad influence? Wasn’t she sober for most of the time they were together and, wasn’t he credited by Demi herself to have had a huge influence in her being sober for so long?
I understand that people worry about the co-dependency side of things, and I also think that she needs to learn to stay sober and fight her addiction for herself rather than just for/because of some guy.
Anyway… I might be a sucker for redemption.. I was a jerk (and still am) for most of my 20s as a girl and guys are notoriously good at only maturing after thirty so, while I hold him accountable and believe he as a douche before and probably when deciding to court and date Demi when she was so young, I also believe you don’t date someone for six years of your adult life if you don’t care at all. It’s not like he’s selling interviews left and right and trying to be a leading actor.
Blah. Sorry for the rant. I wish her well and I hope she really stays in for as long as possible and gets a grip on this addiction. She’s too young…
If you’ve ever watched “Amy” the combination of addiction, an eating disorder, and fame is like being inside of a tornado, and I feel bad clicking on any stories about her at all 🙁