As we reported earlier today, Demi Lovato is out of rehab, and she’s not allowing her sobriety to interfere with her social life.
It looks as though Demi already has a new boyfriend, and while it’s nice to see her smile after such a difficult year, there may be cause for concern.
Typically, those who are new to recovery are discouraged from embarking on new romantic relationships.
But Demi’s new companion reportedly checks two boxes, as he’s both a source of emotional support and an expert on sobriety.
His name is Henry Levy, and he’s a clothing designer who’s been to rehab several times, having first sought treatment when he was 15 years old.
Now, that may sound like a recipe for disaster at first, as Demi’s latest relapse is so recent that she probably shouldn’t involve herself with another addict at the moment.
But those who know Henry best say he’s been sober for over a year and may actually be a good influence on Demi
His latest stint in rehab–where he reportedly re-connected with Demi–was apparently just a tune-up.
Although it can’t be that long since Levy’s last relapse, as here he is pouring himself a glass of whiskey in 2016.
Sources close to the situation say Henry and Demi have been friends for years, but their romance is a recent development.
Though not exactly a household name, Levy is no slouch in the fashion world, and his clothing has been worn by Sophie Turner, Kanye West, Sophia Richie and, of course, Demi.
So Henry’s successful in his own right … but that doesn’t mean he’s stable.
As head of Enfants Riches Deprimes (which translates to “rich depressed children”) Henry has stirred up a good deal of controversy over the years.
“If I wasn’t Jewish I would kill myself. Because I wouldn’t be rich,” Levy wrote on Facebook last year, much to the chagrin of customers and employees.
In the Complex magazine interview that accompanied the whiskey photo, Levy said that one of his primary artistic motivations is the rage he feels toward his parents for sending him to rehab.
Asked by the interviewer at that time if he was sober, Levy answered simply, “No.”
Now, close friendships and romantic relationships are common among rehab patients, but experts generally caution against them for a number of reasons.
Every addict and every recovery is different, but fans are already troubled by the fact that Demi left rehab months ahead of schedule.
The fact that the new man in her life is relatively newly sober himself is likely to be greeted with even greater concern.
After all, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Demi’s overdose in July nearly claimed her life.
With the help of family, friends, fans, and an army of specialists, Demi recently celebrated 90 days of sobriety.
But just like every other addict, she’s always just one bad decision from throwing it all away.
Here’s hoping Henry is equipped to help her remain on the right path.
