Welsh actor Anthony Hopkins shared a new message to his fans as he marked 49 years of being sober.
The veteran actor has a long-running tradition of sending out messages of hope to people struggling with alcoholism and uses his sobriety as a way to motivate them.
On his sober anniversaries, Hopkins usually makes a video recording detailing his experience and how he chose to become sober and continued with the tradition this year.
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Anthony Hopkins Reveals The Moment He Stopped Drinking
In the almost two-minute clip, he shared his sobriety story with his fans, narrating what led him to stop drinking.
Hopkins began, “Good morning. Happy 29th December. 29th? Why 29th? Well, 49 years ago today I stopped [mimes the act of drinking].”
He shared that he was having fun then but realized he was in “big trouble” because he couldn’t remember anything.
“The Father” actor continued, “I was driving a car, drunk out of my skull. Then on that fateful day I realized I needed help, so I got it.”
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Anthony Hopkins Reveals How He Got Help
After realizing he needed help, Hopkins said he “phoned a group of people” who were in a similar situation and began his sobriety journey. He added, “Anyway, I’ve had more fun these 49 years than ever.”
The actor used his message to inspire people struggling with alcoholism or alcohol-related issues. He assured them, saying, “If you do have a problem, having fun is wonderful, having a drink is fine. But if you are having a problem with booze, there is help.”
Hopkins explained, “It’s not a terrible deal. It’s a condition if you are allergic to alcohol. Get some help, there is plenty of help around.”
He also said, “One thing I did not realize was I was not unique. There are thousands of people around like me.”
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Anthony Hopkins Wishes Everyone A ‘Happy New Year’
In the video’s concluding part, Hopkins expressed hope and positivity to his followers, using his life as an example of how sober people can still have fun and great opportunities.
He said, “Anyways, I got sober. It sounds a dull word, but I’ve had a wonderful life. They still employ me, they still give me jobs.”
The 86-year-old shared, “I’m going to be 87 in two days time, so I’m celebrating my long life – my unexpectedly long life –so if you have a problem, you know where to go.”
Hopkins urged those with drinking problems to seek help by phoning a group, enrolling in a 12-step program, or doing whatever they could do “because it [alcohol] is a killer.”
He ended his message by blowing a kiss and saying, “With that, happy New Year!”
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Hopkins Urges People Who Need Help To ‘Go For It’
He said, “Hello there, happy New Year to you all! All you revelers and drinkers all having fun. Wonderful!”
Hopkins added, “Happy New Year, have a great time. If you get a hangover, remember me. I don’t get them anymore because 48 years ago today, I stopped. I got help for it and my life changed.”
The “One Life” star concluded, “I don’t envy you having fun out there, but if you need help, there’s a time. Life is in session. Go for it.”
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How Hopkin’s Life Took A ‘New Meaning’
In a 2020 interview with The New York Times, Hopkins recalled the moment he decided to stop drinking in 1975.
He revealed that he woke up in a hotel room in Arizona but had no idea how he got there.
Hopkins said per the Independent, “I thought, ‘Well, I’ve got to stop this because I’m either going to kill somebody or myself. My life, from that moment on, took on new meaning.”
“The Silence of the Lambs” actor’s decision to quit drinking has benefitted him greatly.
The icon won his first Oscar in 1991 for his role as serial killer Hannibal Lecter in “The Silence of the Lambs.” Hopkin’s second Oscar win came in 2021 when he was 83.
He won the award for his role as a father suffering from dementia in “The Father,” making him the oldest person to win an Oscar.
