Anthony Hopkins reveals his life-saving path to sobriety
Anthony Hopkins maked 47 years of sobriety this week, revealing the path he followed to ‘a whole new life’.
I’m still at a point where 47 days of sobriety seems like a big deal, so I have a ton of respect for the 84-year-old actor.
What did Hopkins accomplish after he quit alcohol?
Oh, just becoming one of the most legendary screen performers of our time.
And he’s not done, even at what many would consider an advanced age: He has three movies out this year and three more in pre-production, according to IMDB.
Pretty good evidence for getting booze out of your life, no?
The Hopkins Plan
In a video message on his Instagram account this week, Hopkins touched on why he doesn’t believe he would be alive today if he hadn’t sought out help for his addiction (and why you shouldn’t be ashamed to do the same if you’re the one who is struggling).
Said Hopkins: “Live your life, be proud of your life … 47 years ago, I was in a desperate situation, in despair, and probably not long to live, and I just happened to acknowledge one day that there was something really wrong with me.
“But I didn’t realize it was a kind of condition, a mental, physical, emotional condition called alcoholism or addiction.
Depression is part of being alive, so is anxiety. Life is tough, but if you need help with any addiction or problem, talk to someone.”
For Hopkins, it was evidently a 12-step program that helped him exit his own cycle of addiction.
“Talk to somebody you respect, whether it’s a counsellor, or go to a 12-step program. There are 12-step programs all over the world, every city, every small city, every community … 12-step programs that can help you identify what you are. It doesn’t cost a thing, but it will give you a whole new life.
“I’m not a do-gooder, I’m an old sinner like everyone, but all I can say is I have the best life I can even imagine. And I can’t even take credit for it.”
Honestly, I can’t speak to the experience or efficacy of 12-step programs, and I know they’re not for everyone.
But I also know that Hopkins has a lot of company among people who say it saved their lives.
For those who’ve tried everything else without success, perhaps it’s a path worth considering.
The quitting age
I found the age Hopkins quit alcohol to be interesting. Many of the people who write about sobriety on this site (and other celebrities I’ve written about before) all seem to come around to quitting around the same age: late 30s to early 40s.
Maybe some of it is related to physical age — the consequences of being a heavy drinker are certainly more punishing the older you get — but I think it also has to do with having kind of (good) a mid-life crisis.
Eventually you reach a day where you look in the mirror and go, “is this really what I want to do with the rest of my life?”
That can be a strong catalyst for change.
And as Hopkins goes to show, you still have plenty of time to accomplsih your goals and dreams if you shake the booze around that age.
Along the same line, I recently wrote about how actor Gary Oldman achieved his personal and career highs (including three Academy Award nominations and one win) after he quit drinking in his late 30s.
It’s never too late!
Give yourself a break
Hopkins leaves his viewers with an important message: don’t listen to the bullies in your life trying to drag you down — even if that bully is you!
“I am a recovering alcoholic, and to you out there, and I know that people out there are struggling in this age of cancel and hatred and non-compromise, children being bullied, I say to this: be kind to yourself. Be kind.
“I’m not an expert on drugs, I’m not an expert on anything, I know nothing, except I have found a life where no one bullies me.
“I want to say to all of you young people who are being bullied, take heed: you be proud of yourself, don’t listen to them, don’t let yourself be put down.
“So wherever you are, get help. Don’t be ashamed. Be proud of yourself. Whatever you do, don’t let anyone put you down.
“Don’t let ANYONE put you down.”
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