Pop star Demi Lovato’s friends ‘saved her life’ after overdose: report

DEMI Lovato’s friends saved her life after the singer suffered an apparent heroin overdose by administering the drug Narcan, it has been claimed.

A friend of the troubled star reportedly had Narcan — which is used to treat narcotic overdoses — on hand in case of emergencies as Lovato had recently relapsed.

A source told US Weekly: “One of her friends had Narcan on hand in case something like this happened. Her friends knew this was coming because she’s been using so much again. They were up all night partying the night before at her house.”

“Luckily, the Narcan worked and she will recover.”

“She had two friends with her at her house that called 911. They were hysterical when paramedics arrived and Demi was unconscious,” the source told US Weekly.

“But the friends acted very quickly and saved her life.”

Earlier, it was reported that Lovato allegedly refused to tell paramedics and police what drug she had taken following her apparent overdose.

Initial reports indicated Lovato had overdosed on heroin, but a source connected to the singer later told TMZ that was not the substance involved.

Both TMZ and The Blast are reporting Lovato - and several people at her home at the time police and responders arrived - was “uncooperative”.

Lovato has been open about her battles with substance abuse issues and eating disorders.

In March 2018, the star announced she was celebrating six years of sobriety. However, just four months later, she revealed that she had relapsed in a song called Sober.

The troubled singer, 25, is now “awake and responsive” and is said to be in a stable condition, with her family pleading for privacy as she recovers.

“Demi is awake and with her family who want to express thanks to everyone for the love, prayers and support,” Lovato’s rep said in a statement to Variety.

“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.”

The former Disney star was found unconscious inside her $8 million home in the Hollywood Hills just before 12pm local time on Tuesday (5am AEST), TMZ reported.

“LAPD and LAFD responded to a medical emergency at the 8000 block of Laurel View Dr. at 11:40am (4.40am AEST),” a rep for the Los Angeles Police Department said.

They “transported a 25-year-old female patient to a local hospital”.

Lovato was unconscious when paramedics arrived and was revived with Narcan, according to TMZ and People, which is an “emergency medication to reverse the effects of a narcotic overdose”. She is being treated at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in Los Angeles.

A source told People that Lovato had been battling personal problems. “Demi was never really clean and sober from all of her demons,” the source said.

“She has been fighting depression and anxiety for quite some time — and is still in such a dark place,” the source said.

“She was sober for awhile, but not completely sober for six years.”

Lovato is “awake and responsive” according to her aunt Kerissa Webb Dunn, who runs her charity Demi Lovato Charity Boutique. “Thank you for your prayers and please continue praying for her full recovery both short and long term,” Dunn wrote in a statement on Facebook, which has since been deleted.

Earlier, Dunn had urged her followers to “PLEASE PLEASE pray for my sweet niece DEMI LOVATO. She has been hospitalized and needs everyone’s prayers desperately!!!! PLEASE PRAY she pulls through.”

Lovato’s medical emergency came hours after the star was photographed celebrating a friend’s birthday in West Hollywood.

INSIDE DEMI’S PERSONAL STRUGGLES

The former Disney star has been open about her struggles with substance abuse issues. She previously spoke about living in a “sober” home after being released from rehab.

While she had been off cocaine for six years, last month Lovato released a song called Sober, where she admitted she’d relapsed.

Lyrics included: “I’m so sorry I’m not sober anymore” and “I promise I’ll get help/It wasn’t my intention/I’m sorry to myself.”

Lovato previously completed a stint in rehab at age 18 for drugs, self-harm and an eating disorder before recovering in 2012.

i love u @ddlovato

— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) July 24, 2018

I love @DDLovato so much. It breaks my heart that she is going through this. She is a light in this world, and I am sending my love to her and her family.

— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) July 24, 2018

My friend @ddlovato is one of the kindest, most talented people I’ve ever met. Praying for her right now, addiction is a terrifying disease. There is no one more honest or brave than this woman.

— Brad Paisley (@BradPaisley) July 24, 2018

In 2017 doco Simply Complicated, Lovato spoke about experimenting with cocaine at 17 and that she “loved it” right away.

“My dad was an addict and an alcoholic,” Lovato said.

“Guess I always searched for what he found in drugs and alcohol because it fulfilled him and he chose that over a family.”

She also revealed she nearly overdosed

“I went on a bender of like, two months where I was using daily,” Lovato said.

“There was one night when I used a bunch of coke and I popped a few [prescription] Xanax bars, and I began to choke a little bit.

“My heart started racing, and I thought to myself, ‘Oh my God, I might be overdosing right now.’”

Despite her rehab stints, Lovato said that she often lied about her sobriety in the media, and would frequently sneak drugs on planes in bathrooms, and conduct interviews discussing her sobriety while high.

Lovato, whose acting career has also included a recurring role on Glee, has in recent years developed a more mature image and has been politically active on issues including support for gay rights.

She was set to play a show in Atlantic City on Thursday as part of her Tell Me You Love Me tour, which has now been cancelled. She had performed at the California Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles on July 22.

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction issues and needs support right now, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or BeyondBlue on 1300 224 636. If it is an emergency please call 000.