Michael Douglas Discusses His Eldest Son Cameron's Addiction in a Candid Interview

Michael Douglas opened up about the painful experience he had dealing with his eldest son Cameron's addiction problem that once led him to spend a couple of years in prison.

While speaking to AARP the Magazine, Michael Douglas shared the most important thing he's learned from being a parent: setting boundaries. The Oscar Award-winning actor revealed that setting both small and big boundaries is important in raising children.

The eldest Douglas son revealed that he started doing drugs when he was 13-years-old.

He then shared about his son Cameron's addiction to drugs, which led him to spend seven and a half years in federal prison. Although he wanted so badly to protect his son, he knew that he needed to protect the rest of his family as well and explained:

"That was hard, having to protect myself and my family and tell my older son that 'if you feel like I'm pulling away from you, I am, because I'm afraid.'"

Ultimately, the actor revealed that he wishes no one would have to experience what he did with his son, as it was a painfully devastating experience. Although it was difficult seeing Cameron in prison, Douglas said that it was something that needed to happen.

The award-winning actor added that at the time, he needed to be mentally tough for him to survive the whole ordeal. He needed to be strong for his family, especially for Cameron.

The "Basic Instinct" star welcomed Cameron in 1978 during his first marriage to Diandra Luker. They called it quits in 1995, and their divorce was finalized in 2000. That same year, he married his second wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Together, they share two kids named Dylan and Carys. Although the "Kominsky Method" actor has a lot to be proud of in his career, his biggest achievement continues to be his wife and kids.

Previously, Cameron himself opened up about his struggles with addiction and prison time. A downward spiral saw him landing in federal prison for seven years, with two of those years in solitary confinement.

The eldest Douglas son revealed that he started doing drugs when he was 13-years-old. He eventually started doing hard drugs, which led to his addiction. Cameron admitted that he was "pretty close" to dying by how many drugs he took at one point in his life.

He was arrested on July 28, 2009, after pleading guilty to heroin possession and conspiracy to distribute drugs. He was released in 2016 after serving seven years.

Now, five years after his release from prison, Cameron has a 3-year-old daughter named Lua Izzy and a 3-month-old son named Ryder with 43-year-old Brazilian actress Viviane Thibes. He is in a much better place with his family, and he constantly strives to be a better version of himself.