That Robert Downey Jr. struggled with drug addiction is no secret. He started smoking pot with his father at age 6, after all. Sarah Jessica Parker tried to help the “Iron Man” star turn his life around, but she felt her efforts were ridiculed. “People around him would be dismissive of me, but I had given him stability and tried to create a steady heartbeat that allowed him to show up on time,” the “Sex and the City” alum told The New Yorker in June 2023. “That made me angry and embarrassed me.”
Downey admits that his drug use was a big part of the downfall of their relationship. “She provided me a home and understanding,” he told Parade in 2008 (via HuffPost). “She tried to help me. She was so miffed when I didn’t get my act together.” Parker stayed with Downey for so long despite their lifestyles being completely different because she was afraid of what might happen if she left.
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“You love this person, and you’re afraid they will die if you aren’t there to shore up their base every single solitary day,” Parker said on the “WTF with Marc Maron” podcast in 2016. Eventually, Parker realized she had to prioritize herself instead of putting all her energy into fixing Downey’s problems. “I learned how to take care of myself,” she told People in 2018. “There was a huge amount of time spent making sure he was okay.”
If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
