Anthony Hopkins celebrates 49 years of sobriety by posting a video

Welsh actor Anthony Hopkins He shared a new message to his fans to mark his 49th year sober.

The veteran actor has a long-standing tradition of sending messages of hope to people struggling with alcohol addiction and uses his sobriety as a way to motivate them.

At his health anniversaries, Hopkins usually makes a video detailing his experience and how he chose to get sober and is continuing that tradition this year.

In the nearly two-minute clip, he shared his sobriety story with his fans, recounting what led him to stop drinking.

“Good morning,” Hopkins began. “Happy December 29th. 29th? Why 29th? Well, on this day 49 years ago I stopped (the drinking tradition).”

He said he was enjoying himself but realized he was in “big trouble” because he couldn’t remember anything.

The “Father” actor continued: “I was driving drunk from the top of my skull. Then on that fateful day I realized I needed help, so I got it.”

After realizing he needed help, Hopkins said he “phoned a bunch of people” who were in a similar situation and began his sobriety journey. “Anyway, I’ve enjoyed these 49 years more than ever,” he added.

The actor used his message to inspire people struggling with alcohol addiction or alcohol-related issues. “If you have a problem, having fun is great, having a drink is good,” he assured them. “But if you have a problem with alcohol, there is help.”

“It’s not a terrible deal. It’s a case of if you’re allergic to alcohol. Get some help, there’s a lot of help,” Hopkins explained.

He also said, “The only thing I didn’t realize was that I wasn’t unique. There are thousands of people like me.”

In the closing portion of the video, Hopkins expressed hope and positivity to his followers, using his life as an example of how sober people can have fun and great opportunities.

He said, “Anyway, I got sober. That sounds like a boring word, but I’ve had a great life. They still hire me, they still give me jobs.”

“I’ll be 87 in a couple of days, so I’m celebrating my long life – my unexpectedly long life – so if you have a problem, you know where to go,” the 86-year-old said.

Hopkins urged those with drinking problems to seek help by contacting a group, enrolling in a 12-step program, or doing whatever they can do “because (alcohol) is a killer.”

He ended his message with a kiss, saying: “With that, Happy New Year!”

he He said“Hey there, Happy New Year to all of you! All you revelers and drinkers all having fun. Awesome!”

“Happy New Year, have a great time. If you get a hangover, remember me. I don’t have it anymore because 48 years ago today, I stopped. I got help for it and my life changed,” Hopkins added.

The “One Life” star concluded, “I don’t envy you having a good time out there, but if you need help, there’s time. Life is in session. Go for it.”

In a 2020 interview with New York TimesHopkins remembers 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 told Per independent“I thought, ‘Okay, I’ve got to stop this because I’m either going to kill someone or myself.’ My life, from that moment on, took on a new meaning.”

The “Silence of the Lambs” actor’s decision to quit drinking has benefited 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 years old.

He won the award for his role as a father suffering from dementia in the film “The Father,” making him the oldest person to win an Oscar.