Demi Lovato and Drew Barrymore Reflect on Childhood Substance Use: ‘Unfathomable’

Demi Lovato and Drew Barrymore have opened up about the challenges they faced growing up as child actors in the entertainment industry.

In a candid conversation featured in Lovato’s new documentary, Child Star, the two actresses reflected on their early experiences and the pressures of fame. Both recalled being introduced to “substances” at a young age.

Barrymore, 49, expressed her feelings about their shared experiences, saying, “There are such big feelings that I’ve had since you told me you were doing this. I know that things that have happened along the way, though, certain excess, certain behaviors, and certain acts of looking the other way have led to my own rebellion or downfall.”

She emphasized personal accountability, stating, “But again, those were all my actions, those were my reactions, that was my coping mechanism.” Getting her first acting role at just 11 months old, Barrymore has always been aware of the intense circumstances that shaped her life.

Lovato, 32, offered a different perspective. “Well, it’s hard to say that you don’t blame other people when others may have been giving you substances as a kid,” she remarked before inquiring about Barrymore’s experiences. “How old were you when you were first given something?”

Barrymore shared a shocking revelation: “I used to get high with my mom’s friend at like 10. I thought she was so cool, and she would give weed to me and her son.” Lovato responded thoughtfully, saying, “I would say it’s hard to not blame someone else when you’re ten years old.”

Now a mother herself, Barrymore noted that her perspective has shifted: “But that’s just how I grew up.” She has been open about her struggles with substance abuse, having been placed in an institution at the age of 13 due to her drug use. Reflecting on that time, Barrymore said, “I was doing drugs. I was out of control. She just threw her hands up and threw me in there, not knowing where else to turn to. That place really did help me and it did save my life, and I actually wouldn’t change a thing.”

In another segment of the documentary, Lovato talked to fellow former child star Christina Ricci about her own journey with drug and alcohol use. Ricci, now 44, recalled that she “immediately went right to drugs and alcohol in my teens,” noting, “I don’t remember feeling like there was any other way to be happy.”

Lovato shared her experiences with fellow Disney star Alyson Stoner, expressing how finding drugs was an easy escape for her. She mentioned, “That was the only way I knew how to escape.”

Lately, the Camp Rock star has been very open about her own recovery journey, discussing a near-fatal overdose in 2018. Lovato described feeling as if she was “walking in a coma” after the incident, highlighting the severity of her situation.

Co-directed by Lovato and Nicola Marsh, Child Star features Lovato sitting down with notable former child stars, including Ricci, Barrymore, Stoner, Raven-Symoné, Kenan Thompson, and JoJo Siwa. The documentary seeks to explore how the pressures of childhood fame have impacted their lives.

Child Star is currently available for streaming on Hulu.