The Way Out Recovery SCV discussed the recent reported heroin overdose by celebrity Demi Lovato in an effort to reach out to the public, raise awareness about addiction and help remove stigmas concerning drug abuse.

While Lovato is reportedly hospitalized due to complications from the overdose, the treatment center suggests fans and the public remember she is still a person regardless of her celebrity status.

Bob Sharits, program director at The Way Out Recovery SCV, regularly works with clients who struggle with substance abuse and recovery to provide quality, effective treatment to assist families, adults and teens in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Sharits commended the pop star’s bravery in the past to openly address her addiction struggles, referring to her 2018 song “Sober,” which deals with substance abuse.

“One of the beautiful things about this young lady is that she’s one of the bravest artists of today,” said Sharits. “When you have a star or somebody that is in the public eye that is willing to openly talk about their struggle with addiction, it allows everybody to more freely talk about it and thus reduces the stigma itself.”

Sharits explained how stigmas of drug addiction and recovery can be counterproductive for those going through the recovery process.

“One of the biggest obstacles we face from a treatment standpoint and for anybody that is trying to recover from addiction is the stigma,” said Sharits. “People just don’t understand it, and when we don’t understand something, we tend to put it over to the side, … attribute it to bad morals, bad upbringing… So addiction is one of the most stigmatized things that we face.”

Sharits noted the biggest challenge celebrities face when going through treatment for substance abuse is trying to defend their public image.

“I think there is a lot of outside pressure…  Thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of people … weighing in on what’s going on with her addiction, as far as social media,” added Sharits. “That’s a lot of voices outside that may not always be positive voices. To overcome that obstacle … she’s got to tap into that inside voice that we all have inside, that thing that some people might call a conscience, she’s got to tap into that.”

Addiction doesn’t discriminate; it touches everybody across the board, according to Sharits.

“From her fans’ standpoint, I think they should embrace her, love her and really support her in her recovery, as well as the struggles in her addiction,” he said.

Sharits encouraged anyone that is struggling with addiction/recovery or has a loved one who is battling with substance abuse to ask for help as the first step in the recovery process.

“Asking for help is the first step,” he said. “When you ask for help, you can get an outside  perspective of what your best course of action is. If you ask for help, professionals like myself can help you sort through … and get you to the place you need to be so you can begin the recovery process.”

In Santa Clarita, drug issues are a major concern for many. The mission of The Way Out Recovery SCV is to provide high quality, effective alcohol and drug rehab outpatient services to the Santa Clarita Valley. The Santa Clarita rehab’s goal is to assist adolescents, adults and their loved ones in becoming happily and usefully whole, free from drug addiction. Those seeking alcohol and drug treatment in Santa Clarita, a drug rehab in Santa Clarita or a teen drug rehab can rest assured that The Way Out Recovery SCV’s philosophy is to teach life-long coping skills and strategies to assist in improving quality of life and living happily and meaningfully without the need of destructive behaviors.

The Way Out Recovery SCV

28118 Bouquet Canyon Road

Santa Clarita, CA 91350

(661) 296-4444

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