Anthony Hopkins Marks 49 Years of Sobriety

Welsh actor Anthony Hopkins shared a new message to his fans as he marked 49 years of being sober.

The experienced actor has a well-established practice of sharing words of encouragement with individuals facing challenges with alcoholism and leverages his own journey of sobriety to inspire them.

During his milestones of sobriety, Hopkins typically records a video recounting his personal story and how he embraced sobriety, and he continued this tradition in the current year.

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.”

Upon recognizing the need for assistance, Hopkins reached out to a support network of individuals going through similar struggles and commenced his path to sobriety. Reflecting on his experience, he mentioned, “I contacted a group of people to help me,” and expressed, “I’ve truly experienced more joy in these 49 years than ever before.”

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.”

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!”

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.”

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.