Downey later stated that drug use became an emotional bond between him and his father: "When my dad and I would do drugs together, it was like him trying to express his love for me in the only way he knew how."
Downey nói rằng:"Khi hai cha con tôi sử dụng thuốc cùng nhau, đó như thể là việc ông ấy cố gắng muốn bày tỏ tình yêu dành cho tôi, theo cách mà chỉ ông ấy hiểu" ("When my dad and I would do drugs together, it was like him trying to express his love for me in the only way he knew how.").