LOS ANGELES — Actor Brad Renfro, who pleaded guilty in February to trying to buy heroin from an undercover police officer, arrived in court Tuesday wearing tennis shoes and a wiry blond beard, and thanked the commissioner for facilitating a new stage in the former child star's life — sobriety.

"Okay, Mr. Renfro, it looks like you've finished detox," Superior Court Commissioner Melissa Widdifield said. "How did detox go?"

"Very well. Great. Thanks for asking," Renfro replied softly.

On March 6, Renfro was accepted into California's "Proposition 36" program, which allows nonviolent drug offenders to enter treatment facilities instead of jail.

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"I'm doing good," the 23-year-old actor told Courttv.com earlier Monday.

But while his mood was positive and his spirits were high, Renfro appeared tired, perhaps worse for the wear, compared to his arraignment appearance in January, before he entered detox. At that time, he wore a Johnny Cash-inspired black suit, black tie, black shirt and dress shoes. His cheeks were ruddy and he looked thin. He had a female companion at his side.

On Monday, Renfro arrived early to court, accompanied only his attorney, Richard Kaplan. He wore a red-and-tan striped sweater and black pants, slightly tattered at the hem.

Renfro told Courttv.com that he spent nine days in detox. When asked about his experience enduring the withdrawal symptoms of heroin addiction, Renfro said, "It wasn't as bad as I had feared it would be."

What was bad, Renfro said, was his time in jail on a separate case.

Monday marked the actor's first appearance in court since March 8, when he was sentenced to 10 days in jail after pleading no contest to one count of driving while intoxicated. He was also ordered to pay a $450 fine, to enroll in alcohol-education classes for 18 months, and was put on five years probation.

"A lot of the things they say are true," Renfro told Courttv.com of his prison stint. "It's a madhouse."

Renfro, who starred in "Ghost World," "Apt Pupil" and "The Client," said he felt lucky to have a mat to sleep on, as many prisoners bedded down on the cold, hard floor.

"I'm just looking at all of this as an opportunity to change my life," Renfro said.

"All of this" includes his jail sentence, stemming from a drunk driving arrest on Nov. 24 in downtown Los Angeles, as well as a drug arrest less than a month later, which led to his hearing Tuesday.

On Dec. 22, Renfro was caught up in a sting operation nearby the same streets where he was pulled over on the DUI charge. He was arrested when he tried to buy fake heroin packaged in latex balloons by undercover Los Angeles police officers. He was among 14 individuals who were netted that day in an area officers call "heroin alley."

The actor pleaded guilty on Feb. 23 to attempted possession of heroin, and was allowed to enroll in the Prop 36 program. He was also given three years' probation. He could face up to 18 months in prison if he violates the terms of his sentence.

With detox and jail behind him, Renfro's next home will be a 24-hour live-in treatment center. Although he was scheduled for assessment with a counselor on Tuesday, Widdifield told the actor that she did not want to wait, and she arranged for a counselor to see him Monday morning for immediate placement.

He may spend as long as six months in rehab, Kaplan said, and his next progress report before Widdifield is set for May 2.

Renfro told Courttv.com after his hearing that he has been off drugs and alcohol for "about 30 days."

"It's helped me greatly. It's definitely been an eye-opener," Renfro said. "I'm tired of paying the consequences. I'm going to stay clean and, in turn, it will help me spiritually and with work."

Any future acting roles, he says, have been put on hold.

"It's better that way," Renfro said. "I feel blessed that I'm going through this now, rather than later. I'm still a kid. I'm 23."

When asked if he planned to stay sober and off heroin, Renfro paused before responding: "Today I am."