Demi Lovato credits fans with helping her through the darkest time

In a video message to fans, the 18-year-old singer-actress spoke for the first time since the incident last October, shortly after which she checked into rehab to seek help for “emotional and physical issues”.

Looking cheerful and fresh-faced, the teen star, who checked out of rehab a month ago, said: “The journey that I have been on has been very, very difficult over the past few months.

“I was dealing with issues that I know not only girls just my age, but of all ages, are dealing with. People that are probably watching this video right now are dealing with the issues that I had to, and I hope to one day raise awareness of everything [sic], so I can help people too, just like you guys helped me.”

In her video, which she recorded at home, the Camp Rock star praised her fans for their messages of support during the “darkest time” of her life.

“I can’t tell you how much light you guys brought into my life in probably the darkest time of my life. Without you guys, I wouldn’t be here today,” she said.

Lovato also told fans that she is “excited” to get back to acting – but did not confirm if she would be returning to her Disney TV show Sonny Without A Chance.

She said: “I wanted to let you guys know that I'm excited to get back to work.”

Disney said in a statement in January: 'Demi's management will inform us when she is able to return to work.”