Robert Downey Jr. Drug Abuse

Breaking the Cycle of Addiction

Addiction

Breaking the Addiction Cycle

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the addictions and drug use faced by Robert Downey Jr., and discusses the effects these abuses had on Downey Jr. And his career. The paper will also analyze alternative courses Downey could have taken, and propose potential advice for Jr.

Robert Downey Jr. purportedly began using drugs at just eight years old, when his father began dispersing drugs to the child. This is not uncommon among young child stars that face much pressure and often grow up in homes where drug abuse and addictions are common. It was not until the age of 22 however, that Downey would first enter a drug rehabilitation facility for cocaine and heroin abuse. Many of his first films during this time, approximately during the late 80s and early 90s won much acclaim, even Academy Award nominations. During the late 90s Downey again had to undergo rehabilitation; he was cited for drug abuse including marijuana and also alcohol intoxication

The effects of drug use are many. In Downey Jr.'s case, among the more obvious effects include abnormal behavior. Downey had to spend some time in jail because of possession of weapon's charges, something he may not have been charged with had he not been under the influence of drugs. He also was cited for wandering into a stranger's house and passing out on a child's bed. Downey was also caught with cocaine and methamphetamines in his blood in 2001. Downey was supposed to fly to Japan in 2008 to see the opening of Iron Man, but was detained because his passport showed he was linked to "incredible criminal activity." This is just one of the many visible effects drug activity can have on a person's reputation. At this point in time he is never allowed to go to Japan again, although after six hours of detention he was eventually allowed to see the opening of the show.

Apart from public humiliation, there are many physical effects of drug intoxication and addiction on the body. What many people fail to realize is that drug and alcohol addiction is a disease (Deans, 1997) and that most people do not stop until they hit the bottom, believing they will not survive unless they get help. Many survive "long enough to have sudden, radical, change in orientation, or spiritual awakening" where they realize they cannot trust the conscious ability to direct their own behavior (Deans, 1997). To accomplish this, a person like Downey must admit defeat, and in the case of many 12-step programs, they must ask God for help, even if the addict is an atheist or agnostic. What this requires is turning to others and admitting they have a problem.

Addiction is a mental disorder that convinces the afflicted that the problem rests with others and not the self; this is often referred to as denial and is not really a conscious act (Deans, 1997). In the case of Downey, he was introduced to the world of addiction when he was just a child of 8. Addictions often run on auto-pilot, engaging in zombie-like behaviors (Deans, 1997). Any substance can be addictive, even work or caffeine. Substances like marijuana often have a sedating effect; cocaine isn't physically addictive; but it can lead to violent and disruptive behaviors as Downey demonstrated. It also provides energy and endurance which can be addictive, and necessary for actors that have work addictions, as one might describe of someone like Downey who in his peak produced movie after movie that won much acclaim.

Substances like Heroin have calming and euphoric effects; remember the effects of acting and all the attention garnered by being in the public eye can be very stressful and stimulating, thus an individual in the limelight might seek something out that can calm them (Deans, 1997). Alcohol is also a sedating substance, but it can also cause one to act in an uncontrolled manner. Cigarettes and smoking typically go hand in hand with alcohol and other types of drug abuse (NIH, 2011).

What could Downey have done differently? It might have benefited Downey to take an extended break from acting to address his health issues and meet with a dedicated health physician to address his biochemistry, since science now accepts the theory that addicts have an imbalanced biochemistry since before the time they become addicts (NIH, 2011). A dedicated addiction biologist could have worked with Downey to ascertain what steps he needed to take to eat properly and address the stress and other factors in his life that necessitated addiction to begin with, including psychological factors contributing to addiction (NIH, 2011). Some research suggests that biochemistry plays a larger role in addiction than once realized. Many theorize that addicts biochemistry first becomes "normalized" when they partake of certain substances, which is why they become addicted; then they build tolerance to the addictive substance so they experience withdrawal and go back to the formerly unbalanced biochemistry which causes feelings of depression and misery, which is the state they experienced prior to addiction (NIH, 2011).

As Downey's physician, it would be prudent to ascertain what nutrients and other biochemical imbalances, and well as co-existing mental health disorders may have existed prior to the addictions so they could be treated successfully, so that addiction could be cured or treated successful. This would reduce the odds of relapse, and assist Downey with successful livelihood, rather than simply treat the existing disease. Simply treating the symptoms of addiction will only lead to relapse, especially if there are underlying biochemical imbalances, and if the patient is not taught what the causes of addiction are to begin with. 12-step programs are not for everyone, particularly if biochemical imbalances are not addressed. If Downey learns what specifically his body requires to maintain homeostasis, then he is most likely to realize the best odds for successful maintenance of health, happiness and longevity. Any offspring he produces are also likely to realize the same benefits, and break the perpetual cycle of addiction as it tends to run in families.