Anthony Hopkins Opens Up About Battling Alcoholism and 50 Years of Sobriety

In a conversation with the Late Show host Stephen Colbert, Anthony Hopkins shared his inspiring story of overcoming alcoholism, crediting 12-step programs like AA with saving his life. Hopkins revealed that he once drank to the point of blackout and was lucky to have been helped by his agent, who took away his car to prevent him from driving. He made a phone call to AA on December 27, 1975, and credited the program with giving him a new lease on life. Hopkins reflected on how AA helped him feel relief in knowing he was not alone and that he was not different from others struggling with addiction.

Key Takeaways:

Anthony Hopkins battled alcoholism in his early career days but is now 50 years sober.
He credited AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) with saving his life and changing his life drastically.
Hopkins shared an incident from 1975 where he was driving in a blackout, and his agent took away his car to prevent him from driving.
He made a phone call to AA on December 27, 1975, and credited the program with helping him feel relieved that he was not alone.
Hopkins felt a sense of relief in seeing others who were struggling with addiction in his AA sessions.
He believes that AA helped him shift his focus from drinking to working and the cinema.
Hopkins reflected on how AA helped him realize he had the power to choose his life and navigate through challenges.
He is now 88 years old and should have been dead years ago if he had continued with his addiction.

Statistics:

50 years of sobriety for Anthony Hopkins.
1975: The year Anthony Hopkins made a phone call to AA and credited the program with changing his life.
88 years old: Anthony Hopkins' current age.

Sources:

Economic Times, November 2023: "Anthony Hopkins on battling alcoholism, 50 years of sobriety"
The Guardian: "Anthony Hopkins on his memoir and his battle with addiction"
Hindustan Times: "Anthony Hopkins shares his journey from addiction to sobriety"