Christopher Lloyd Details Decades-Long Struggle with Addiction in New Memoir

Actor Christopher Lloyd, 88, details his extensive battle with drug and alcohol addiction in his new memoir, "In My Own Time: A Memoir." The "Back to the Future" star writes that his cocaine use began in the 1970s after a single use outside a Los Angeles comedy club. He describes the initial experience as immediately addictive, marking the start of his ongoing struggle.

Lloyd claims that despite his substance abuse, he never performed under the influence on stage or during film shoots. His addiction reportedly escalated after the cancellation of his acclaimed television series "Taxi" in 1983. A pivotal moment occurred when an argument with his then-girlfriend led him to break windows at his nephew's home, resulting in severe bleeding and requiring emergency surgery.

Despite this incident, Lloyd continued to secure significant film roles, including appearances in "Mr. Mom" and Mel Brooks' "To Be or Not to Be" in the same year. He also starred in the cult classic "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension" in 1984, followed by his iconic portrayal of Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown in "Back to the Future" in 1985.

The "Back to the Future" franchise, which also starred Michael J. Fox, has grossed over $972 million worldwide. Lloyd continued to grapple with addiction throughout his career, eventually entering a rehabilitation facility in 1993, the same year he appeared in "Addams Family Values." He remained in treatment for five weeks, but acknowledges that this was not the end of his struggle.

"I relapsed a few times after that," Lloyd writes. "Some years later on April 1, I got sober for what turned out to be the last time."