On Sunday, Robert Downey Jr.’s 20-year-old son Indio was arrested in West Hollywood for possession of cocaine. We talked about it yesterday, and as I said, I feel for RDJ. He got clean, he made his amends and he became a better father to Indio in the last ten years. So it must be difficult and heart-wrenching to see his son start down such a similar path of self-destruction and drug abuse. Following the news of the arrest (which broke Monday morning), RDJ offered a public statement about Indio’s arrest.
“Unfortunately there’s a genetic component to addiction and Indio has likely inherited it. Also, there is a lot of family support and understanding, and we’re all determined to rally behind him and help him become the man he’s capable of being. We’re grateful to the Sheriff’s department for their intervention, and believe Indio can be another recovery success story instead of a cautionary tale.”
I like that statement a lot. I like that RDJ isn’t minimizing the situation. I like that he doesn’t take a shot at the Sheriff’s Department – he praises them instead and nearly thanks them for arresting his son. It also feels like RDJ blames himself too – that he was an addict because of faulty wiring and Indio inherited the same screwy wiring. Which is one component of it, definitely. But I also think that Indio is 20 years old and the son of The Most Powerful Actor In America (Forbes just gave him that title, btw) and he parties a lot. A snapshot of a person at 20 isn’t always the best reflection of who they will eventually be. I guess that’s what RDJ is hoping too – that with enough positive influences and tough love, they can change Indio’s course. Here’s hoping.
Photos courtesy of Getty, WENN.
This is sad…from what TMZ is saying he’s been in a couple rehab places the past few years…
very sad. it must be awful for a parent to see your child go down that path, esp since RDJ jas been there himself. sigh.
Ag, you are so, so right. It is devastating, exhausting, and a CONSTANT battle. My life: two eighteen year old boys, search warrant on Saturday, drugs seized, we’re seeing a lawyer tonight. All I can do is pray that they’ll straighten up, and the scary thing is you never can be sure.
jen – ugh! best thoughts to you and your family.
Very sad. Good that RDJ is prepared to intervene but I don’t know how much he can do if his son isn’t ready to accept help.
RDJ can give his son all the support and help in the world, but until he wants to get clean, give up that whole lifestyle, and cut ties with everyone he knows that are ok with his drug use and drugs in general he’s likely to relapse.
It’s so tough to do that. Your life revolves around the same people, drugs and party scenes. You have to start completely from scratch and find a reason to stay clean. Without all these components the odds are not in his favor.
Andas a side rambling point… Yes, some people are more easily addicted than others, but it’s not just that. RDJ’s statement struck me as more blaming genetics than anything else. If Indio latches onto that then he might not take responsibility for his own actions.
And I suspect RDJ knows that, but what else can he do or say?
It is a very nice statement.
Tragic… Maybe i’m picking his statement apart. Still, if he’s saying it to us I hope it’s not what his son is absorbing. It’s not his fault. It’s his genetics. That’s the wrong message for someone not yet in recovery to hear.
My first thought – upon reading the headline – was: why issue a statement at all? At this point it’s still a private affair, Indio’s addiction thankfully hasn’t affected anyone else yet. But then I read it and thought it was a very good preemptive response to something RDJ was going to be asked about at some point.
@hannah, I see your point re the need to make a statement, but I understand where RDJ was coming from (I think). This story is in the media, and he is going to be asked about it. He’s put his statement out there, and hopefully it will prevent him and his family from being badgered about this.
Yes.
Except it’s not private anymore at all. Indio isn’t in the clear with the law. He’s going to have to face charges for drug possession. This will be ongoing, and it’s a public matter. I think making a statement showing that he’s on his son’s side, while still wanting to crack down on him and get him well is exactly what the public and his fans wanted to know. Sometimes parents of addicts aren’t siding with their kid anymore and remove themselves from the situation. This shows RDJ is still involved and interested in Indio’s recovery.
I’m with you OT. Once your business is out on front street, you can’t take it back. I think RDJ should have issued a statement because it’s his child and RDJ may have influenced Indio in some way with his own personal struggles. I think it presents a united front on RDJ’s behalf and may even help someone else who is experiencing similar problems as he and his son.
Having battled these demons, I hope RDJr is able to provide a voice that Indio can listen to now. Yes, I’m sure he’s heard the precautionary tales before now and they didn’t prevent this, but hell, sometimes we feel compelled to re-live the mistakes of our parents. With all the second (and third and fourth) chances that Robert’s been given, I hope he’ll be able to give his son the words he needs to hear now. Speak from the heart, and all that jazz…
I’m glad to see the family getting him help early on. I realize Indio has to WANT to change and get better, but at least he has positive support.
I had a young uncle with a drug problem and my family wanted to “take care of the problem themselves”. Needless to say, it didn’t work.
I wish him a full recovery with all my heart. RDJ worked so hard to climb out of that hole. I hope his son can, too.
Yes, yes and yes.
^this x 1000000000000000000000000000000
Yes one million times!
I hope they will be okay. If anyone knows their way through this, it’s RDJ. At least he can empathize while being able to spot the bs if it starts happening, as well. I am not being bitchy, I am serious. Recovering addicts like RDJ who have battled to get clean are usually pretty good at helping/spotting other addicts. Now that this has happened, hopefully he will watch Indio like a hawk. good luck to them all.
Me too. I’m sending the positive vibes their way.
That was really the classiest celebrity statement released in a long, long time, and I especially like the part where he basically thanked law enforcement instead of jumping on them as so many do. I guess nobody knows all the ups and downs of drug addiction like Downey. He beat it and I hope his son does, as well.
Agreed, it is very likely that RDJ feels that his arrests and his time served may have saved his life, which is why he is thankful. I wonder if the kid will do any time over this, or just rehab.
Given that it was “just” posession and I don’t think anyone was hurt, it will probably be some kind of probation or community service if he does rehab.
I think RDJ has specifically said that his last incarceration was basically what saved his life and forced him to quit. I know drug addiction is a disease, but I get very turned off by people like -I think it was Michael Douglas’s son- issuing statements basically blaming law enforcement for arresting them, and taking no responsibility for their actions.
I hope Indio can follow his father’s example and beat this thing for good.
He’ll most likely receive a suspended sentence and supervised probation.
$10,000 bail seems excessively high for a simple possession charge so maybe he’s been arrested in the past.
I agree. I thought RDJ’s statement was spot on. I hope Indio gets the help he needs and takes care of himself.
Agree with everything you said.
Michael Douglas should take note of this. He blames the judges, law enforcement etc for what happened to his son. He forgot that the court gave his son a lenient sentence and the son turned around and had the girlfriend smuggle drugs into prison for him. That’s when the court lowered the the boom and gave him the maximum sentence.
Yes drug addiction is an illness but at least acknowledge the fact that your kid screwed up and don’t blame anyone for this. RDJ got it right.
I really feel for both father and son. Drugs are an awful addiction to battle. Let’s hope this young man can conquer this sooner rather than later.
” A snapshot of a person at 20 isn’t always the best reflection of who they will eventually be. ”
Very well said. That being said, a snapshot at 20 could be the last snapshot of a person if they sink into a lifestyle or dangerous ways of living without help, support or a realization that they need to change or be more careful.
Here’s hoping Dad can help his son instead of get the old “You’re one to talk, Dad” that so many parents who haven’t been ‘perfect’ their entire parenting lives probably get from their children.
Good statement from RDJ. I feel terrible for him. I’m not sure if people really appreciate just how BAD OFF RDJ once was unless you are old enough to remember the news back then. I was a little kid but I remember the news stories and him going to prison. It’s really remarkable how he’s turned his life around. He deserves so much credit and I feel bad that he’s having to watch his son go down the same destructive path.
Oh, I remember. If you’d told me back then that RDJ would manage to get his life turned around and become an incredibly successful and powerful actor, I’d have thought you were certifiable. I’m really glad I was wrong about that.
I appreciated his statement (especially the mention of the police) and really hope his son gets the help he needs. This has to be so painful for the family.
I remember when he was so high that ended up sleeping in his neighbour house, because he didn’t find, or didn’t recognize he was in the wrong place.
Basically he was the male Lohan.
Was he a d***head, liar and thief as well though?
Qwerty
He sure was. RDJ has really rehabed (no intended pun) his image. People have almost completely forgiven and forgotten what an absolute disaster he was. Wondering if he’d kill someone before he od’ed
He was a Lohan without social media to document how out of control he was.
Actually no he wasn’t. People who knew him and worked with him said he was as charming and nice as he is today. He was never late to a movie set and always performed well. Jody Foster even knew he was high on the set of Home For Holidays and she had a talk with him. Though his drug addiction never interfered with production she was worried.
@FLORC
It’s not about how out of control his addiction was but about his character. You can be a hopeless junkie but still be nice to people. L.Lohan will not be a good, honest and sincere person even if she gets clean.
I’m asking cause I read quite a bit about his past once and wasn’t left with an impression he was a male Lohan at all.
@Nevermindme
I loved Home for the holidays, such a great film. RDJ said he was off his head on heroin while shooting it. He was so good in it though…
Oh I remember that quite well too. And I always though Robert was beyond help at some point. I am so glad I was wrong and that he could dig his way out of his hole. Hope his son will be able to follow the same path 🙂
That has got to be a terrible situation to face for any parent, and I imagine doubly so for RDJ-it must be like watching your own horrible mistakes repeating themselves. But his son is in good hands, at least-sometimes the best person to learn from is someone who has been there and is capable of advising without judging and blaming, which I think RDJ can as he clearly understands some of the underlying reasons his kid is going through this.
That was a great statement by RDJ and I hope Indio realizes his need to abstain 100% will be the only way he can manage his addiction successfully.
Addiction runs in my family and this hits close to home. One of my greatest fears is having a child with a genetic predisposition to addiction. My husband and I just married and want to start a family soon and this always lingers in my mind.
Right there with you! My dad was a recovering alcoholic and recently fell back off the wagon, and my brother almost died from an OD. Sometimes I really want to have children. Other times, I change my mind because addiction has been passed down for quite a few generations.
I hope RDJ and his family stay strong, as addiction is “a family disease”.
I feel for you & wish you all the best.
When WITNESSING such behavior you grow up and get addicted, but if you never witness such behavior why not enjoy being loved by a child??Go for it, i say.
Yes, I feel you. I’m thankful that I did not have the predisposition but my siblings, cousins, nieces/nephews, uncles, etc. have dealt with alcoholism or drug addiction. It’s all around. My husband’s family has some pretty heavy drinkers on their side. *sigh*
Congratulations on the happy union!
And if you’re already thinking about this — before you’re even expecting or adopting a child — then you’re ahead of the game. My mom drilled it into me from an early age (in fact, I can’t remember a time that I didn’t view alcohol as particularly dangerous because of my family history). Like I said yesterday, it’s less about genetics than environmental factors, but even if there *is* a genetic predisposition, you can take great strides to remove all the psychological triggers.
Kudos to you for thinking ahead. I still remember telling my gyno that I never wanted kids because of my mental health problems; he said that if I’m already concerned about it, I’ll be more aware and helpful than parents who never struggled with it and fail to see the warning signs.
Brittney, thank you for the congrats!
You bring up a great point! It’s very helpful to hear that and I just didn’t consider it.
Brittney B, your comment reminded me of something my gyno once said, which was something like “if everyone got to see a detailed glimpse of our genetic profiles and predispositions, no one on the planet would have kids.” It is such a crapshoot…and a big leap of faith. All the best.
When you see the drug past of his father,i don’t understand even why Indio can be interested by drugs
I just hope Indio won’t finish like Michael Douglas’son
I don’t understand either.
Kids are self destructive. I watched my sister starve herself for years as a teen even though she knew it was likely destroying her. You can’t truly understand the motivation of a person that is set to self destruct.
I’ve seen people close to me starve themselves for years as well but it wasn’t because they were “kids”. Kids like to have fun, not kill themselves. There’s always a reason for what they’re doing and it’s not their age.
That could be, or he could think he’s somehow immune to his dad’s issues. Denial is a powerful thing, especially given he’s young and likely wanting to partake in all that his peers are doing, substance-wise. He might think he can “dabble” like others can and believe he doesn’t have a problem, and therein lies the problem.
Kids think it won’t happen to them, about things a lot less severe than drug addiction. Really, everybody thinks “it” (whatever “it” may be) won’t happen to them. It’s how we get through the day. But kids at that age still think they can handle anything.
My first thought – yes it’s not charitable at all but when I heard the news the first thing that popped into my mind was ” what an idiot!”
What an idiot because unless there is zero communication in that family (and maybe that’s the case one never knows) he must know the dire straits his father got into because of drugs, the lunacy that accompanied it, the jail time, the beat downs, etc… There is nothing glamorous or fun about it. As the son of an addict you HAVE to know you can’t touch that stuff and not open the door to hell. So WHY would he even try it ?! How stupid can you be?
It’s like I never understand people who’ll “try X” where X is any addictive substance would you “try russian roulette”?!
I really don’t get that mentality at all. His father must be crest fallen that he wasn’t able to communicate to his son the dangers of such a behavior considering what he went through and also must feel so guilty for passing on that gene that makes it even more difficult for rehab to stick.
Hope for them this is not the start of a decades long cycle of short sobriety followed by months/years of hell…
It doesn’t make sense at all, but it is a vicious cycle. Why do girls with abusive fathers grow up and marry abusers? Why do boys who were molested grow up and molest? Why do children of alcoholics grow up and become or marry an alcoholic?
I know a nurse who smokes and lost her father at a very young age from lung cancer. It’s so very complicated. I have a good friend who was raised with a sloppy drunk mother and highly functioning alcoholic father. When I met her, she was engaged to a guy who was obviously an alcoholic. Even stranger, when she dumped that guy she ending up marrying a wonderful man. He was a recovering alcoholic. He doesn’t have the personality of a “dry drunk”, yet she was still drawn to him.
In these instances we feel like people should have learned from watching their parents, instead they are actually drawn to these things. We pick up signals that most people would consider warning signs, but they see as familiar. Little boys who were beaten by their fathers and swear they will never touch their children, frequently grow up and beat their own children.
Here’s hoping that Indio gets it together and stays away from the drugs.
I wrote about this on the Shia page, but there’s alcoholism on one side of my family and I, myself, learned pretty quickly that I cannot tolerate hard liquor. It really makes me ill. I got drunk faster than a regular person, I got very, very drunk on a lesser amount of alcohol than a regular person, and my hangovers lasted days. I realized that if I drink any more than a little bit it leaves me truly ill and thus I rarely drink now and only a little bit when I do, like one beer with pizza or some wine with dinner on occasion.
Some people just cannot handle the booze or the drugs. I also saw it as a young woman (the drugs)–some friends were involved in drug scenes and a couple got instantly addicted and several were fine with just dabbling. But the insta-addicted were something to see.
This was a good statement. I like that RDJ had gracious words for the police officers.
I hope that his son gets healthy and stays that way.
Actually, he doesn’t blame himself (at least in the quoted paragraph, I haven’t read the whole statement). If anything, he shifts the blame on genetics, i.e. something he cannot control, instead of addmitting that his own way of living might have influenced his son. Genetic factors may have an input on how quickly the person develops an addiction after being introduced to drugs, or how badly they suffer a withdrawal, but they have nothing to do with giving a person an access to drugs or encouraging them to try it. One can say: “There must be a genetic component to it” until the cows come home, but really, the guy had seen his dad growing up. Way to set an example.
There are plenty of examples (stories, interviews) over the years where RDJ has taken responsibility and took full blame for his addiction and the behavior that resulted. He’s always been pretty open and honest about it. This time it isn’t about him. It’s about his child. He kept the focus where it belongs.
Then he shouldn’t have mentioned genetics at all.
Why not? I think it’s as important to recognise that addiction is a disease and some people are more predisposed to becoming addicts due to their genetic makeup as it is to acknowledge the environmental factors involved. He could have said more about the latter, but I think most people are aware of his own battles with drugs and assume that must have had some impact on his kid.
Agree completely MaddieH. That boy saw a lot growing up.
Genetics certainly do play a factor. Alcoholism runs in both sides of my family, and drug addiction as well on my father’s side. That being said, since my father was (and will always remain) a recovering alcoholic, I never saw him take a drink. When the other guys at the cookouts were drinking beer, he was drinking iced tea. I grew up with no alcohol in the house, I’d never even seen a person drunk or on drugs until I was 18 years old, and I’ve never seen one of my parents anything but sober. But lo and behold, in my early 30s while going through a divorce, the drinking that before was an occasional thing to me became a habitual thing. Sometimes I wonder if I wasn’t afraid of it enough because my parents abstained. But alcoholism hit me like a brick wall. So I’m just saying it’s not entirely fair to blame RDJ for causing this when his son was there to see him get clean. My dad was sober by the time I was born, long after he’d spent his 20s in the bottle. It came to me on its own, it was amazing to me how suddenly alcohol became my best friend when I thought I was old enough to know better.
“My dad was sober by the time I was born,”
His wasn’t though. That’s actually when he started to hit rock bottom. The kid was born around 1994, RDJ got sober in 2003.
Of course it does. Environment plays just as important role though. I have very low tolerance of alcohol, as does most of my family. My parents taught me to determine experimentally my maximum therapeutic dose and never ever exceed it, and it worked wonders. I always knew that alcohol wasn’t my friend, but we always managed to stay civil.
I am a geneticist myself, and it just annoys me to no end when genetics is used as a universal excuse, because “My son is genetically predisposed to addiction” sounds so much better than “I probably haven’t done my best raising him.”
One can only hope that you yourself have someone to regurgitate all of your past missives to crush any hopeful future for you and your children. By the way? It’s attitudes like yours which always blame past history and not the actual history itself that prevents addicts from moving foreword with recovery.
IIRC Indio’s mother also was heavily involved with drugs which only increases his risks genetically. RD Sr. had addictions too so to suggest genetics does not play a part would be wrong imo to dismiss genetics is not a predisposing factor to addictions. I also believe the environment & culture of Hollywood makes it easier to fall into the drug scene.
With that said I remember seeing a video w RDJ in court telling the judge how desperate he was- and equate it with sticking a gun in his mouth & liking the taste of it. I could see the pain & despair in his tearful eyes. It made me cry then &makes me feel like that remembering when I saw him.
I have nothing but respect for RDJ because he really turned around his life. I have no idea what torture it must be to deal w addictions so my heart & prayers go out to him & his son along w anyone else coping with something as cruel as drug & alcohol addiction.
Spot on Maddie H. I think “addiction culture” in the US has pushed the genetics bit too far. As you said genetics didn’t get you to try the stuff in the first place…
As mentioned in another post I don’t understand why he would try that stuff seeing the effects it had on his father, then again, maybe his father never really explained to him …
Way to blame “genetics” and avoid crappy.role.modeling.
Like everyone else here, I’m really pulling for Indio, just like I pulled for his dad. It’s got to be heartbreaking for RDJ. I always liked him and was a fan even when he was a mess, which I remember all too well. I specifically remember the judge at one point, as he was sending him back to jail, saying “I’m trying to save your life.” I believe it was then that he finally got clean.
There’s just something inherently likeable about RDJ that makes you root for him and want good things for him. I am sure he’s going to do everything he can for his son.
I disagree that RDJ “blames himself” because his first sentence blames “genetics”. His son was at risk because his dad was using for the first half of his life. RDJ was introduced to drugs by his own father before he was ten. It wasn’t genetics it’s behavioral and the environment. These people used drugs to self-medicate or to be cool, relax, etc. They’re also around people who normalize/glamorize drugs. Before they become addicts people warn them to slow down or stop but these people choose to ignore the warning signs.
Yep.
I think that’s certainly part of it, but why can’t it be both? Many people do drugs for reasons that go beyond getting high (and I include mood altering substances like alcohol, nicotine, and even sugar in that), and studies have shown a genetic link to addiction.
That said, under the circumstances I would’ve raised my kids as far outside of Hollywood as possible if I were his parents, though that’s not a guarantee it wouldn’t have happened anyway. But at least TMZ might not have been snooping around if it happened outside of L.A. I feel badly that his private matter has became public. He’s not a public figure, and he’s only 20.
I got the sense that RDJ was using the word “genetics” to mean his personal influence on his son as a whole not just the DNA aspect.
I think the issue with placing the blame squarely on genetics is that the individual and family do not take responsibility for their choices and bad decisions. This reluctance to face the truth and life is what got them involved in drugs in the first place . Drugs temporarily mask issues. Again, usually along the way someone will try to intervene but they ignore them. There stubborn and have an attitude of “let the chip fall where they may”.
True, but I also think it’s important for people to know about the genetic component in order to have a better idea of what they’re up against. Those affected need to know to be hyper vigilant. They don’t have the luxury of going through an experimental phase. And the knowledge may engender more compassion and effective treatments.
How refreshing to hear a parent in this day and age not only not threaten or attempt to fight the authority figure who punished/called out their child for their own bad behavior but actually stand by them-as it should be.
Bravo Robert! I have no doubt that you have always been a wonderful father to Indio since you first got a hold of your own health and sobriety and are most certainly the very best parent for your son to have in this situation.
I’m praying for him and honestly hope that this is a case of a young college-aged kid experimenting-most of us have or did at some point when we were younger-and not a much more serious one of addiction. Good luck with everything Indio. We’re rooting for you.
I don’t want to blame RDJ because it’s clearly not his fault and Indio has made his own choices. That being said I think people love RDJ so much and are so proud of him for getting sober that they gloss over that the first 10 years of his life Indio had a father that was using drugs and in and out of jail etc. god only knows what he saw and how that affected him. The mother also had drug problems I’m betting he was exposed to a lot during his formative years. The first 10 years of your life your parents mean a lot more then the next because you are completely dependent on them again I’m not blaming RDJ but I do think some of the consequences of his drug use are coming out through his son.
+1
+10000
Wow, that really was a great statement. He really didn’t minimize it, none of this, “Hey, we all make mistakes” (which we all do make mistakes, but it’s a parent’s job to take a mistake of this magnitude seriously). Thanking law enforcement for catching this … I’m really impressed. Justin Beiber’s parents could learn a thing or two here. Sounds like Indio’s in good hands. Hopefully this was caught early enough that he can nip it in the bud now. I wish the best for him and his family.
NO one puts things better than RDJ. He’s focused and realistic. The family has a long, painful road ahead. My wishes for the very best possible outcome for Indio.
I am happy to hear that Indio will be getting the support he needs.
Not to derail the conversation:
But, I don’t know, I feel a certain way about this story and the way (generally) people seem to be responding to it. Yes, I agree that who we are at 20 is not an accurate reflection of who will eventually be. However, VERY few people had that same sentiment with the Chris Brown story. He was 19 when the incident with Rihanna occurred. Everyone was quick to label him a monster and ready to discuss domestic violence. (Side note: I cringed with this discussion because of all of the judgment and victim blaming that occurred. And YES, domestic violence is a MAJOR issue to be discussed, but it’s never brought up during VERY CLEAR, cases of it, like with Charlie Sheen, for instance.) I am not saying it was wrong to respond with anger toward Chris Brown (what he did was ABSOLUTELY reprehensible), and he needed to get that initial heavy negative response from the public. However, five years later, still have not allowed Chris the room to grow and learn. No matter what he has done after that, we have consistently told that him that he is a monster from that age until now (he is currently 24).
In fact, two years ago when Drake started a brawl with Chris at a club, most people were labeling Chris a monster again, even though Drake was the person who got violent with him. I think if we had stepped back and let him be, he would have grown and not become the person that he is today. Instead, we gave him this “me against the world” bubble to operate in, because he felt trapped. If you tell a person they are a monster enough times, they will become one. I think we as individuals in this society need to begin recognizing our own biases as it relates to other people and how we respond to them.
Again, I am happy that we are willing to let Indio grow and get help in peace; I wish that we would have that same response to every young person after their first few transgressions. I am not trying to blame anyone; I just get so frustrated with these contradictions that I see. Be it gender- or racially-based.
There is no connection between what Chris did and this situation. There is a tremendous difference between getting busted for violently beating your famous girlfriend and getting busted for cocaine possession.
I’d ask Downey what his 20 year old son does all day.
Is he a student or a musician or is he another rich Hollywood brat with too much time on his hands?
I heard a band once that was not bad at all. Later I learnt it was RDJ’s son playing guitar! I would image he spends most of his time as a musician.
Perfect statement. All the best for Indio, RDJ and the rest of the family!!
I NEED an RDJ biopic. Anyone with me??
There is one on DVD
If RDJ can dig himself out of the black hole of addiction, there’s hope for his kid, too. And, my goodness, that’s a classy release statement. Sad that the dignified, sensible ones stick out like a sore thumb these days.
Very classy statement from a very classy actor.
I think Indio is going through a sadly typical phase that many rich kids go through – aimless early 20s experimentation since everything is handed to them. Just hope he doesn’t turn it into a lifetime of addiction.
Hopefully with RDJs support he can get through this and find some purpose in life.
Wish them both all the best.
Classy statement. I wish the best for all of them.
That’s the statement of someone who has been there and understands, and someone who loves his kid. Inherited traits are subtle and wonderful too – maybe Indio also got his father’s ability to recover from addiction.
Perhaps have Indio watch his dad in “Less Than Zero” – which I don’t know if it would be a good thing or not, but it would certainly serve as a precautionary tale.
Sad
This is a classy statement for RDJ and definitely reflects his sober mentality now. I too, have a history of addiction (anorexia) as well as my ex-husband does (drug addiction) and our daughter in now 14. If that happened to her, I would probably have the same feelings. Both my ex and I found sobriety respectively and have a better life now, but it takes time and for some, they never reach that place. Sadly.
My heart goes out to his family and I hope his son can learn from his example. RDJ certainly had a bad time of it for awhile, and then had it all exposed in the press on top of that. Cannot imagine how hard that must have been. I had my own struggles, but they were private and only my family and close friends knew all the details. I really feel bad for some celebrities now that struggle and then have TMZ after them…..def not talking about Lindsay Lohan or people like her.
Saying a prayer for Robert Downy’s son and family now.
This is also sad for RDJ because he probably constantly struggles with maintaining his sobriety and this will be tough to deal with. I hope the family finally get their peace one day.
Have there been further incidents indicating addiction? I ask because people on this site overwhelmingly assume that ANY drug use is addictive/ addicted drug use. I’m not minimizing addiction, & it’s entirely possible, if not likely, that this young man has a predisposition to addiction.
But, not every person in his or 20s who is in possession of drugs is “spiraling into addiction” or “battling inner demons”. Some young people do some drugs because they are bored and the drugs are fun. I know they are illegal, I know they are dangerous, especially for those with addictive personalities. I’m not ADVOCATING drug use. But I am arguing that there is an overwhelming assumption that a kid with some coke in his pocket has NECESSARILY got a dangerous drug problem. And that’s just not the case. It’s stupid for him to get caught up with a drug crowd, if he is. It was definitely stupid to get caught with illegal drugs, and the sheriffs absolutely did the right thing. But for all the pearl-clutching going on here, he COULD just be a 20 something kid partying & getting high. Not everyone who’s ever done an illegal drug is a strung out, rock-bottom junkie. In fact, I’d wager that the vast majority are not….