Gwyneth Paltrow got drug advice from Robert Downey Jr

Gwyneth Paltrow received advice about drug addiction from Robert Downey Jr.

The actress plays a recovering addict country star in new movie 'Country Strong' and she asked 'Iron Man' co-star ' who has overcome substance abuse problems - for help so she could understand her character.

She said: ' asked Robert a lot of questions because there were some things that I just did not understand. Like, how do you behave so badly one night ' and not just embarrass yourself, but wreck peoples' lives ' and then wake up in the morning and be like, 'Hi!'

' don't get it. So he would write me emails about what addiction is and how it was for him. He was very articulate about it and he helped me a lot.'

The 38-year-old star ' who has two children, Apple, five, and Moses, four, with husband Chris Martin - thinks she has managed to avoid many of the pitfalls of fame because she gets so much support from her family.

She told Hello! Canada magazine: ' think that what gives me strength is my family. They keep everything in perspective and they make me feel very grateful, which is how I stay with my feet on the ground. I know how lucky I am to have them and I don't take it for granted. They give me strength to get through everything.'