Dear Demi,

I am sorry this has happened to you. I can't even begin to imagine what you're going through, but I have first hand seen what addiction can do.

It turns you into someone you're not. It controls your mind and your life. It also tries to tear you apart from the people you love.

I have seen addiction spread through my family and the people around me like wildfire. I have seen it turn my loving, funny mom into someone who would do anything to get another drink. Someone who would take her daughter's money and leave her without any way to get home because she was using their only car to get more drinks. It used to turn my mom into a complete stranger. Frankly, it has made me afraid to even take a sip of a drink.

Addiction has caused my friends to be homeless, and go days without anything to eat. It has taken more lives than my disease has. I have a neuromuscular disease, but lately, I've seen more people die from overdoses than losing muscle strength. I am not telling you this to scare you, I'm only telling you this so you can see who you are becoming again.

And this is not you.

I know I am just one of your fans and I've never gotten to meet you, but I can see what is happening to you. I know your story that you have bravely shared with all of us, I know the lyrics to your songs. and I know you are, unfortunately, going back to that place you were six years ago.

You have inspired so many who are struggling with your beautiful lyrics, and you have helped create a movement that is helping others be able to talk openly about their mental illness. Personally, I have struggled with mental illness myself and I have kept it a secret for most of my life. A few years ago, I started getting depressed and ended up developing anxiety, and even though my depression has almost disappeared, the panic attacks still happen. Since you have started advocating for those of us with mental illness, I have seen more and more people "come out" with it. You have helped us to not be ashamed of having a mental illness, and be able to tell the people around us so they can support us.

You have helped so many people, but you are not helping yourself anymore.

Your fans need you. We need someone to look up to when we are struggling and it feels like no one understands. We need the Demi who shared her story, so she could support her fans who loved her. The Demi who was starting to change the world and herself. We need that powerful, incredible woman back.

I know she's still there. She just fell and needs to get back up again. It's okay to fall sometimes, as long as you have faith that you can pick yourself back up.

If you're ever at the point of wanting to drink or get high again, just look at your tattoos and listen to your lyrics. They show how far you have come and all of the battles you have won.

I even got tattoos that say "always strong" on my wrists that are similar to yours, and it has served as a reminder for me. I have gone through so much, and it helps me know that when things start to get hard again, I know I'll get through it just like I did with everything else. I hope you remember this too as you go through your recovery.

You can overcome this battle. Addiction is always trying to keep people on the ground, but do not let it anymore. Do not let it win.

You are stronger than you think.

I have faith in you. Just remember God loves you no matter how many times you may fall and He's always there when you need Him.

Stay strong, beautiful.

Love,

Melissa