Academy Award-winning actor Anthony Hopkins recently shared the powerful story of his sobriety journey, marking 49 years since he stopped drinking. The Hollywood legend described a frightening moment in 1975 that made him recognize his alcoholism and seek help, a decision that he says completely transformed his life.
The Turning Point
Hopkins recalled the specific incident that served as his wake-up call. He was driving while intoxicated in California, experiencing a blackout with no memory of where he was going.
“I was drunk and driving my car here in California in a blackout, no clue where I was going, when I realized that I could have killed somebody. Or myself, which I didn’t care about,” he shared. “I could have killed a family in a car, you know.”
This terrifying realization that he could have caused fatal harm to others made him confront his addiction. Hopkins described this moment as when he “came to my senses” and acknowledged he was an alcoholic. Soon after this incident, he attended a party in Beverly Hills where he told a former agent, “I need help.”
The Journey to Sobriety
On December 29, 1975, Hopkins reached out for support, contacting a group that helps people with alcohol addiction. He decided to attend a 12-step program in Los Angeles, which marked the beginning of his recovery.
He described a remarkable experience that occurred during this early stage of his sobriety journey. At precisely 11 o’clock, he heard a distinct internal voice that removed his desire to drink entirely.
“It was 11 o’clock precisely – I looked at my watch,” Hopkins remembered. “And this is the spooky part – some deep, powerful thought or voice spoke to me from inside and said, ‘It’s all over. Now you can start living. And it has all been for a purpose, so don’t forget one moment of it.’”
He described the voice as “male” and “like a radio voice,” noting that from that moment forward, “the craving to drink was taken from me, or left.” Hopkins has credited this experience to “divinity or that power that we all possess inside us that creates us from birth, life force, whatever it is.”
Reflections on Alcohol and Recovery
The actor has been open about why alcohol initially appealed to him, explaining that it helped him cope with personal discomfort.
“Booze is terrific because it makes you instantly feel in a different space,” he shared, adding that it “made me feel big” and helped “nullify” his “discomfort.”
Now approaching 88 years old, Hopkins regularly marks his sobriety anniversary with messages of hope for others struggling with addiction. In a recent social media post, he reflected on his decision to stop drinking nearly five decades ago.
“So 49 years ago today, I stopped drinking. I was having so much fun, but then I realized I was in big big trouble because I couldn’t remember anything and I was driving a car, drunk, out of my skull. On that fatal day, I realized I needed help.”
He emphasizes that his life improved dramatically after getting sober, stating simply, “I got sober and I’ve had a wonderful life.”
Hope for Others
Hopkins uses his platform to encourage those facing similar struggles with alcohol, describing addiction as a “condition” rather than a moral failing. His message focuses on the availability of help and the possibility of recovery.
“If you do have a problem – having fun is wonderful, having a drink is fine – but if you are having a problem with the booze, there is help. It’s not a terrible deal, it’s a condition. If you’re allergic to alcohol, get some help. There’s plenty of help around.”
He specifically recommends 12-step programs and other support groups, noting that these resources are available worldwide and can provide a path to “a whole new life.” Hopkins stresses that people with alcohol problems are “not unique” and that “there are thousands of people around like me” who have found help.
The actor continues to maintain an active career in film, recently joking that “they still give me jobs” despite his age. He expresses gratitude for his long life and the opportunities he’s had since beginning his sober journey, often marveling, “I’m still here. How?”
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Credits: pagesix, BBC, The-Independent
