Downey's Downfall

The actor's latest arrest supports the idea that drugs rewire the brain

If anyone ever had good reason to say no to drugs, it was surely Robert Downey Jr. The actor, 35, had already seen a promising career held back by substance abuse. He had been separated from his wife and son and lost his freedom--twice. But since his release from prison last August, Downey seemed to be turning his life around. He was in the middle of a ratings-boosting guest run as Calista Flockhart's romantic interest on Ally McBeal. He was set to star in a film with Julia Roberts and Billy Crystal and to take a turn onstage in Mel Gibson's...

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