Demi Lovato may have been sober for around two years now, but the singer admits that everyday is still a struggle, when it comes to her constant battle with drug and alcohol addictions, although she does see herself as a "beacon of hope" for the next generation.
In an emotional new interview, Demi has said that alcoholics are a "different breed" and that she would "feel wobbly" without her AA meetings and the built-in support that they offer.
Demi realises that she's going to have to see things differently to other people, in terms of her mentality to have just one glass of wine, for example, and instead needs to focus her negative urges into less damaging activities, such as getting tattoos.
"When I was impulsive before, I was making bad choices, so this is a way of expressing myself that is harmless," the singer told the Daily Mail's You magazine. "Some days, you just want to dye your hair pink, and I am not afraid to do that."
Demi admits that she's always going to be affected by her addictions (WENN)
Demi also said of her AA meetings: "It's being able to do that that makes me feel normal in this world that is not normal at all," with her also noting that her approach to abstaining from alcohol is to take "one day at a time."
She then added: "If I think that I am never going to be able to have a glass of wine with dinner, I get anxious. And sometimes I do feel like I want to go to a bar and have some shots, but I know where I will be in six weeks' or six months' time if I do."
"We are a different breed, we [are] alcoholics, but it is just like having any other disease – you have to learn to live with it."
Singer is loved across the globe for her 'girl power' attitude (Instagram)
Demi's addictions led to her parents eventually saying that she wouldn't be able to see her younger sister, Madison, which was a real turning point for the brunette.
"Mum saying that made me realise that my life was a shambles and, although I had a lot of success, I was also very alone and miserable," Lovato continued. "I love Madison and one of the main reasons I wanted to get better was because I didn't want to be apart from her."
In terms of living life surrounded by pressures to party, Demi admits that part of the reason why she is dating Wilmer Valderrama, who is 34-years-old, as opposed to her 21-year-old self, is because he's older and more mature.
"The problem when you go public with a personal relationship is that when it ends, it ends publicly as well," she explained.
Demi likes to keep her romance with Wilmer on the down low (Instagram)
However, Dems hinted that things are all good at the moment.
"I would be slightly overwhelming for somebody who is not at a level of maturity to support me mentally," Demi said.
And although the singer encourages fans to always be themselves and love themselves for who they are, she did admit that she doesn't always feel 100% in her own skin.
"I wouldn't say I am comfortable in my skin today. I'm having one of those once-a-month moments when I've got a little belly and my clothes don't fit. But I'm a woman and that happens, so thank goodness for airbrushing," Lovato admitted.
"Real-life beauty is fine for selfies and Twitter, but when it comes to photo shoots, well, airbrushing is no bad thing."
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