Robert Downey, Jr. Busted Again

[jamesglewisf]

Fox News (http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/112600/downey.sml) reports:Actor Robert Downey Jr. has been charged with drug possession in Palm Springs, Calif., after being arrested in a hotel room with cocaine and methamphetamine, police said. It sure is hard to understand drug addiction. If anybody could afford a recovery program, you would think it would be this guy.

[jamesglewisf]

I decided to move this to Current Events.

[Karenluvs6]

you are right, drug addiction is very difficult to understand.
People would sooner come down hard on this guy, than to try to understand his illness...a lot of ppl don't realize that it is an illness.
I have a lot of experience in drug addiction....I have never been an addict myself, but my father was an addict, Four of my good, close friends growing up became addicts (three of them died) and my children's biological father was an addict and an alcoholic and killed himself because of this...so I do know first hand what drugs can do to a person.
Most addicts had normal lives at one time...drugs made them not care, not see what is real, not worry about normal everyday life things...not be wary of other's feelings, and mentally it just takes them apart..bit by bit.
I have even seen drug addicts sit and argue with themselves over getting high! It's not as easy for them as it is for other ppl.
I hope this guy gets himself clean soon....and stays that way!!

[In_His_Shadow]

Oh how sad. I really was pulling for this young man. He is such a gifted actor. You know he says his father introduced him to drugs at a very young age. I think that father should have to do jail time with his son to see the part he played in his sons addiction. Breaks my heart. My brother was also an addict, it is a non-discrimitory disease it picks anyone size, shape, financial status, it has no preference. My heart and prayers go out to this young man.

CJ

[RoadRunner]

I know people people who have died in their addiction and people who have beaten their addiction. Hopefully, he will overcome.

[blinc]

I've also known people with drug problems... family members over here too. It doesn't make me stop wanting to reach out and shake the guy. Here's someone who is blessed with a talent and a fairly easy way of making a really nice living. Arrgh! How many times will it take before he gets the idea? I think a judge should really look at making him do some prison time this time... maybe that will scare him into getting his life in order. Don't get me wrong, I really like him as an actor, but obviously the drug treatment centers aren't working. Probably because he feels that it's an alternative to serious jail time.. if he had to face the consequences, like most people do when busted for drugs, maybe it would scare him into taking a hard look at his life and where he's going with this. I don't like to see ANYONE go to jail, but he's been given so many chances already it may be the only thing that makes him stop long enough to get a grip.

[Karenluvs6]

I agree Blinc...sometimes some time away is the only alternative.
I think he should go into a long term rehab/detoxification program.
You know what though....if he don't want to do it, he'll never be clean.

[blinc]

Yeah that's why I think prison might be the answer this time. He's been sent to court ordered rehab what? A half dozen times? I think one of the reason he doesn't WANT to clean himself up is because he doesn't have to face any real consequences for his actions. So far he has had to go to private rehab facilities, with all the ammenities of a luxury hotel... that's not exactly what I'd call incentive to make him question his decisions on whether or not to get straight. Maybe if a judge put his foot down, told him he's not getting special treatment anymore just because he's a movie star... not just slap him on the wrists and send him back to rehab, maybe it would help? Who knows? I just know that the rehabs don't seem to be working, and I'm guessing it's because he gets "star" treatment when he does go. Let's hope he gets himself together before we see another heartbreaking obituary. More coddling by the judicial system could be his undoing in my opinion.

[In_His_Shadow]

The last time he broke his probation with drugs he was sent to jail. This last stint he did was in jail with no priviledges (he requested to be treated just like any of the other prisoners). It just shows that drugs are not about money, power or lifestyle. My heart breaks for him. When he did an interview for 60 minutes or 20/20 from prison before his release he was doing so well and helping other prisoners with their overcoming addiction. He was sober at the time and going to counseling and trying to figure out what triggers it. It must be horrible. There are those that can overcome (my brother is one of the lucky ones) and those that never do. The last judge that sentenced him thought he was actually trying to kill himself in a slow deliberate way. He must be an incredibly hurting young man.

CJ

[Karenluvs6]

Here are some facts about Robert Downey Jr.'s arrest...the link at the bottem is the whole article...


PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (AP) - Robert Downey Jr. was arrested for drug
possession nearly three months after being released from prison and
relaunching his career, police said Sunday. An anonymous caller led
investigators to a hotel room at the Merv Griffin Resort Saturday
night where they found the actor alone with cocaine and
methamphetamine, Palm Springs police officer Ralph Landry said. "He
was conscious and conversed with the officers," Landry said. "He was
very cooperative."

Downey, 35, was arrested for drug possession, being under the
influence of a controlled substance and committing a felony while
free on bail, he said. He was released Sunday on $15,000 bail and is
scheduled to appear in court within 30 days, Landry said. Downey had
landed a recurring role on the Fox television series "Ally McBeal"
after being released from prison in August. The actor told a judge
last year that his drug addiction was "like I've got a shotgun in my
mouth, with my finger on the trigger, and I like the taste of the
gun metal."

Full article at: http://www.infobeat.com/fullArticle?article=405097967

[Karenluvs6]

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Fox's gamble in hiring Robert Downey Jr. for "Ally
McBeal" this season paid off with good ratings and reviews, but the
troubled actor's weekend drug arrest has thrown the decision into
question. Downey quickly became a key figure in the Fox series as the
love interest for star Calista Flockhart, energizing the 4-year-old
show that received a best comedy series Emmy but lost steam with
audiences and critics last year. The Downey-Flockhart chemistry made
such an impact that Fox agreed to extend Downey's eight-episode deal,
which he had completed filming, to include two additional episodes,
the network said Monday. While radio spots for Monday's show,
featuring a silky voice-over by Downey himself, continued to air, his
arrest at a Palm Springs, Calif., resort for investigation of drug
possession on Saturday put his status in jeopardy.

Downey was released Sunday on $15,000 bail and is scheduled to appear
in court within 30 days. The 35-year-old actor, who earned an Oscar
nomination for his work in the title role of the 1992 film biography
"Chaplin," was not scheduled to work Monday but was scheduled to
appear in the episode currently in production, Fox said. The network
and the show's producer David E. Kelley had no immediate comment on
the arrest. Downey, recently released from prison, has acknowledged
his struggle with drug addiction. "It's like I've got a shotgun in my
mouth, with my finger on the trigger, and I like the taste of the gun
metal," Downey told a judge in 1999.

Full article at: http://www.infobeat.com/fullArticle?article=405113723

[Debby]

Wow. That is so very sad. Addiction is a hard thing. I don't think until you have been addicted to something, you can fully comprehend the hold it can have over you. I don't do drugs, of course, but I am addicted to nicotine, and smoke like a feind. I have tried quitting, and prayed about it too, but it is soooooooo hard!! I have smoked since I was 16. Addiction is awful. But I know God is stronger, i just need to give him more control. It's too bad Robert Downy Jr, can't try to do that too.

[thespian]

Originally posted by Debby
Wow. That is so very sad. Addiction is a hard thing. I don't think until you have been addicted to something, you can fully comprehend the hold it can have over you. ...... But I know God is stronger, i just need to give him more control

With His help I quit smoking 4 months ago after 26 years of smoking up to 60 a day. It honestly feels as if I was never addicted at all. Nothing is impossible. All that is required is for Mr Downey, like you, to give over total control.

Yes my heart goes out to him, but the truth be told, if Mr Downey really wanted to, the habit could be broken with or without the Almighty's help. Maybe it's just a case of the price being too high?

Finally, I must disagree with my friend blinc on one issue. Don't for one minute believe that he has choosen an easy way of making a living. Pressure and stress increases proportionately with a person's progress up the ladder of success in the entertainment industry. Normally the causes of these pressures (like progressive aging, etc.) are also beyond the control of the victim, thereby increasing the intensity thereof.

[blinc]

hmmm... thespian. I guess to clarify what I meant it would be best to go into more detail huh? {toothy}

I simply don't believe that acting careers are a hard way of earning a living. Yes, there can be long hours, but then again how many of us have catered food on our jobs? Drivers to drive us where we need to go? Special treatment from hotels, restraunts, etc., just because someone recognizes our faces? Our own little "trailers" to go to, when our boss doesn't need us for the moment. Someone to put on our makeup, fix our hair? There are a LOT of perks that go with the "job".

Plus, when I think of how many people are out here struggling to make a living... to make the mortgage payment, to buy school clothes for this years round of classes, to pay health care costs, the list just goes on and on. Then I think of some of the things that people have to put up with on jobs... miners, construction workers, police officers, firemen, just to name a few. These people face death and maiming on a daily basis. Then there are the people who have to work very hard physical labor just for a bit above minimum wage.

For me, if I compare just about any job to what is required of an actor, I just sincerely believe that actors have it easier then almost anyone! They get paid outrageous sums of money, have people to wait on them and take care of most of their whims, get star treatment almost everywhere they go. Ok, I'm not saying they don't work at all, because I know some put in long days, but then they have a month or two off, most of us can't afford the "sabatical" even if we do put in long days, weeks and months! It's just in comparison to other jobs, I don't believe they have it hard, at all.

Stress is in all walks of life, yes. From the person who works at a menial job up to the president. I don't believe that just because a person holds a less authoritive job that there is less stress. A lesser job often means less pay, which means a person in a lower position often has more worry on how to make ends meet. Not to mention the fact that lower positions also carry the added worry of knowing they can be more easily replaced... so job security is always a worry too. Well, in any area it's a worry, but the further down the ladder you go, the easier it is to be replaced is what I mean.

Bottom line... what I'm trying to say is that of all the jobs in the world... being a movie actor is probably the easiest job I could think of. That's honestly how I feel. It upsets me that there are so many people struggling to make a decent life for themselves and their families. Then to see people who are lucky enough to have found a lucrative job, and are just throwing it away make me angrier then I would be at an average Joe on the street. It makes me angry to see anyone throwing their life away.

Whew... someone take my keyboard away. I've got the jabbers again today! {toothy}

[blinc]

Of course I just wanted to add, Thespian if you feel that they have a hard life, that is an opinion of yours that I can respect... not agree with necessarily, but definitely respect.

Would love to hear WHY you think it's such a hard way to earn a living though, in comparison to other jobs. Maybe I'm missing something? Wouldn't be the first time!! *chuckle*

[Karenluvs6]

I agree...and what about these professional athletes?
look at the lives they're living!
Half of them are on drugs also...and they get paid unfathomable amounts of cash.

[PaulGoodman]

It is too bad when someone with such a great talent prevents himself from excelling.

[Karenluvs6]

and that's just it.....he's preventing himself!
knowingly, he is doing it to himself.

[Debby]

Congrats on quitting smoking, by the way, Thespian! :)

[Karenluvs6]

Oh boy.....I must have missed that somewhere....you quit smoking Thespian?? Well, why aren't you marching around with it on a great big billboard sign?!? You should be so proud of yourself!!!!
another 'former' smoker!
Life is good.

[thespian]

Thanx for those good wishes. I must say though that I try not to be a "Typical Ex-Smoker".

Can't say I did it all by myself though - a lot of help from Above is my secret!

[Karenluvs6]

me too!
I quit almost three years ago.

[Debby]

Karen, when you quit, be honest, did you gain alot of weight? I have heard the horror stories, and am so afraid I will balloon way out!!! But my hubby says he'd rather have me fat than dead. ( see he does have a sweet side) ;)

[thespian]

Debby,

I hate to disillusion you, but I put on about 20kg - (40 pounds - I think) when I stopped.

I must say though that I have always been significantly overweight and the excess didn't make that much difference.

It is most likely that you will put on weight and quickly at that. Remember though that when you put weight on quickly, it is normally easy to loose it quickly as well.

Anyway, stopping smoking is definitely worth it. I agree with your husband.

Anyway, weight (like age) is just a number!

[Debby]

Oh my gosh....well, errr, hmmmm...that's not very comforting, but thanks for being honest! :)

[Debby]

P.S. It's usually easier to hide your age than it is your weight....LOL

[Karenluvs6]

Originally posted by Debby
Karen, when you quit, be honest, did you gain alot of weight? I have heard the horror stories, and am so afraid I will balloon way out!!! But my hubby says he'd rather have me fat than dead. ( see he does have a sweet side) ;)


YUP....I gained weight.....but I also lost it again after that.
weight can come and go...up and down. Quitting smoking was the single best thing I have ever done for myself.
Beezwax said the same thing to me...."I'd rather have you fat, then on a ventilator".

[Debby]

Ya, I know....Brent always says he doesn't want to carry my oxygen tank around for me some day.

[jamesglewisf]

This has been a busy thread. It's funny. I never know when I start one whether it will take off or not.