London - Robert Downey Jr.'s son reportedly started using hard drugs when he was 12.
The 'Iron Man 3' star - who famously battled substance abuse in the past - accompanied his eldest child, Indio Downey, to the well-known rehab facility Cliffside in Malibu, California, following his arrest for cocaine possession on Sunday, but the 20 year old has allegedly been battling addiction for eight years.
A family friend told the MailOnline: "Indio's been using drugs and hard drugs as well for eight years so there's been a million interventions and conversations and threats and AA meetings and sponsors. The list goes on."
The 49-year-old actor convinced Indio to check into the treatment facility, as he hopes its innovative approach will finally help his son get his life back on track.
The friend added: "Bob not only knows about Indio's struggles, he's tried everything, as all parents do, including kicking Indio out of the family home, followed by boundaries and tough love. None has worked.
"Cliffside may work because it's got an approach that Indio will hopefully not resist. Indio is his father's son. They both don't go for controlled orders about praying to a 'god' for help and the 12 steps, the way Downey sees it, is requiring you to believe in God, and though both Downeys may believe, they don't want it forced on them for sobriety purposes."
Indio isn't happy about being forced into rehab, but the friend added: "His dad's lawyers are insisting in hopes of a plea bargain when court time comes. This means that since Indio is not choosing to get clean on his own but is somewhat forced to, the sobriety may not stick."
Robert, who also has a two-year-old son, Exton, with his wife Susan, released a statement on Monday (30.06.14) claiming his son "likely inherited" his weakness for substance abuse, but added: "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." - BANG Showbiz