Demi Lovato – who suffers from bipolar disorder – says she is “living proof” that a mental illness doesn’t have to prevent people from living a good and healthy life. The star had also received treatment for an addiction and has gradually overcome her struggles as she tries to remain sober.

She explained to People magazine: “Every day is a work in progress so hopefully I make it to 2017 with my sobriety. I take it one day at a time and for today I’m doing great … If you know someone or if you’re dealing with it yourself, just know that it is possible to live well. I’m living proof of that.”

And the star thanked friends and family for always lending a hand and providing her with never-ending support.

She said: “[My family, friends and treatment team] are there for me at any moment of the day and will be there to support me throughout my recovery.

That relationship is ongoing – it’s not something where you see a therapist once or you see your psychiatrist once, it’s something you maintain to make sure that you want to live with mental illness. You have to take care of yourself.”

Demi had previously claimed people viewed her differently after returning from rehab, as she was determined to prove she wasn’t “a stereotypical Hollywood starlet.”

“I think people looked at me differently. I wanted to prove to people that I wasn’t just a stereotypical Hollywood starlet who goes to rehab and falls back into the trap of the things that got her there.”

She continued: “I wanted to make sure that the music that I made was great and that I was passionate about the music that I put out and I sang my heart out. And I also wanted to continue the message of using my platform for more things than just singing about heartbreak. That’s what music is for, is getting you through times, but also using it to inspire people.”