Lala Kent Calls Demi Lovato's 'California Sober' Mentality 'Super Offensive'

Lala Kent does not approve of Demi Lovato's "California sober" approach to their addiction recovery.

During an appearance on the "Behind The Velvet Rope with David Yontef” podcast Monday, the "Vanderpump Rules" star called out Lovato, saying, "I don’t like to judge, but I actually think that that’s super offensive."

"There are people out there who work their ass off to never take themselves out of reality and to never place themselves in an altered state," Kent was quoted by Us Weekly as saying.

The reality star, who decided to get sober in October 2018 following the death of her dad, went on to say that not all who struggle with addiction have the option of moderation. She also made it clear that she doesn't think "California sober" is an option when it comes to recovery.

"So to say that you’re, like, California sober or this type of sober is extremely offensive," Kent added. "I’ve been in rooms with men and women who have given up everything just to not pick up. You’re not sober if you’re drinking or you’re smoking weed. You are not sober."

Kent has been open about her own sobriety struggles and has been sharing her progress with her followers.

"Five months ago, I came to the realization that I am an alcoholic," she wrote on her Instagram Story in March 2019, according to Us Weekly.

"I will never ever preach to anybody, I’ll only speak from my own experiences. I always say if you don’t have to be sober, I wouldn’t recommend it, but me, as someone who does need to be sober, being in my right frame of mind every single day is truly incredible."

Lovato had a near-fatal overdose in July 2018, a month after they revealed they had broken six years of sobriety.

In an interview with "CBS Sunday Morning" in March, the singer-actress explained that "California sober" means drinking alcohol and consuming cannabis in moderation. They acknowledged that their approach may not be the safest.

"I am cautious to say that, just like I feel the complete abstinent method isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for everybody, I don’t think that this journey of moderation is a one-size-fits-all solution for everybody, too," Lovato said at the time.

Meanwhile, Dr. Vanessa Kennedy, director of psychology at Driftwood Recovery, said that sobriety is complete abstinence from mind-altering substances and called Lovato's approach "harm reduction."

"The term ‘California sober,’ i.e., using drugs perceived to be less life threatening than ‘harder’ drugs that could lead to overdose and death, seems to fit under the harm reduction umbrella," Kennedy told Healthline.

She continued, "Individuals with addiction difficulties usually find themselves unable to manage their substance use either because they are not able to ‘put the brakes on’ when using or because they have life-altering consequences from their use (e.g., overdose, medical problems, worsening mental health problems such as suicide attempts, relationship conflict, job loss, legal problems), hence the need to quit altogether."