EXCLUSIVE: Demi Lovato Opens Up About Her Sobriety: I Know 'My Life Depends On It'

The singer was honored at the UCLA Open Mind Gala on Wednesday.


Demi Lovato
is opening up about how she's navigated her road to sobriety and stayed healthy and clean for five years.

The "Confident" singer was honored with the Artistic Award of Courage at the UCLA Open Mind Gala on Wednesday. ET's Katie Krause spoke with Lovato and Mike Bayer, CEO of Cast Centers, about her inspirational journey.


WATCH: Demi Lovato Shares Touching Instagram Post After Five Years of Sobriety: 'Feeling Humbled and Joyful'

"What keeps me on this path is there's a drive that I have to stay sober because I know that my life depends on it," said Lovato, who recently celebrated her milestone fifth anniversary of sobriety. "If I would have continued down that road, I don't know if I'd be here today. So it's something that's very important to me"

The singer says that staying sober and healthy has done more than just change her life, it's helped other people take the steps needed to change their own lives.

"I've been able to share my story with other people, and I've had fans that come up to me and tell me, 'Because you got sober, I got sober,'" she shared. "It's just been a really beautiful thing."


WATCH: Demi Lovato Candidly Discusses Life Before Sobriety: 'I Was a Nightmare to Work With'

Bayer couldn’t agree more when it comes to the inspirational impact Lovato's recovery has had on her fans, which is why she's earned the distinguished honor at the UCLA Open Mind Gala.

"I think a lot of people don't have the courage to be honest and speak about their issues and she's done it in such an authentic way," Bayer explained. "It's helped millions of people."

With Lovato back in the studio recording new music, the singer says she's also had to find inspiration for her new tracks in different places than her earlier albums.

"What I'm channeling is things I'm going through today, which are different," Lovato shared. "Everyone goes through ups and downs and I'm getting to write about that. I'm at a new chapter in my life so whenever I'm writing, I keep that in mind."


WATCH: Demi Lovato Slays in Silver, Shows Off Her Bare Legs on Snapchat: ‘Thick Thighs Save Lives’

Lovato recently commemorated her half-decade of sobriety with a touching Instagram post.

"So grateful. It's been quite the journey," she wrote. "So many times I wanted to relapse but sat on my hands and begged God to relieve the obsession… Feeling humbled and joyful today. Thank you guys for sticking by my side and believing in me." Check out the video below to hear more.

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