Martin Sheen says he 'understands' his son's torment

For the past few weeks, the media has bombarded us with stories, videos, and images of actor Charlie Sheen and his erratic behavior and struggles with drug addiction. In an interview with Telegraph magazine, Sheen's father, actor Martin Sheen, said that his son still conducts himself like a "child" despite being 45-years-old:

"Because when you're addicted, you don't grow emotionally. So when you get clean and sober you're starting at the moment you started using drugs or alcohol. You're emotionally crippled."

Martin Sheen, 70, has also experienced difficulties with addiction and can relate to his son's distress.

"I know what hell he's living in," he said. "I've had psychotic episodes in public. One of them was on camera ... I know what Charlie is going through. And when you do something like that, that is out of control, that's the most difficult thing. You have to have courage."

Sheen, who is currently costarring in the film "The Way" with his son Emilio Estevez, says the cure for his son's troubles is faith and courage. As a devout Catholic, Sheen thinks religion can do wonders for his son. 

"Faith can help all of us. Addiction is the dark side. It's a reflection of despair. And it's fed by all the other negativity."

Estevez is also hopeful and confident in his brothers recovery: 

"There's always hope, and there are so many examples of people pulling themselves out of the sh-- and having a rebirth.  So you just pray for him and hope he has that moment of clarity."

Photo by jedidiah44/flickr