Anthony Hopkins Marks 50 Years Sober With Message to Those Struggling

Anthony Hopkins is marking a major milestone.

On December 29th, marking 50 years of sobriety, the man known as Silence of the Lambs shared a touching message, offering support to others who are also working to overcome addiction.

In a new Instagram video, 87-year-old Anthony Hopkins wished his followers a happy new year, encouraging them to enjoy the celebrations. He also shared a personal story, revealing that exactly 50 years ago today, he almost died in a car accident after driving while severely intoxicated.

He went on to explain, “I eventually realized I was enjoying myself a little too much. It turned out to be alcoholism.”

He understands many people reach a turning point where they realize they need to stop drinking, and he’s sharing what helped him when he had that realization.

Hopkins shared that anyone struggling with overindulgence should seek help, explaining that life improves when you do. He mentioned he personally stopped drinking 50 years ago today and credits getting help with his recovery, without wanting to sound boastful.

He’s celebrating 50 years of sobriety, and that milestone happens right before his birthday. He feels like reaching this point in his life – both the sobriety and the birthday – is the result of a long, challenging journey.

He urged everyone to embrace life, saying, “Choose life!” He repeated “life” several times for emphasis, and jokingly added that he was turning 88 soon, suggesting he must be doing something right. He finished with a cheerful “Happy New Year and happy life!”

I’ve always admired how open he is about his journey with sobriety. He recently shared what it was like for him when he first started getting sober back in the mid-70s, and it was incredibly moving to hear him talk about that pivotal time in his life. As a longtime fan, it means a lot to see him be so honest.

He described a strange experience he had while appearing on The New York Times podcast The Interview on October 25th. He said a deep, powerful voice spoke to him internally, telling him, ‘It’s all over. Now you can start living. And it has all been for a purpose, so don’t forget one moment of it.’ He characterized the voice as male, rational, and sounding like something you’d hear on the radio, and noted that, along with the message, his intense desire to drink simply disappeared.

I’ve noticed a really positive trend lately – more and more public figures are being incredibly open about the realities of getting and staying sober. It’s so refreshing and helpful to see! If you’re curious to learn about others who are sharing their stories, I’ve got more details for you right here…

After the Backstreet Boys member relapsed in 2021, he noted he “got sober again for the last time.”

He told People magazine in July 2025 that he’s committed to staying on his current path. He described it as a daily effort, but said he’s finally taken advice from others in recovery, which has dramatically improved his life.

While AJ acknowledged he is “still learning, still growing,” he’s now confident in who he is.

You know, I’ve been doing a lot of self-work lately, and it’s been incredibly freeing. I used to struggle with saying ‘no’ and protecting my energy – I honestly didn’t understand the importance of boundaries. But now I do, and it’s been a game-changer! I’ve also been thinking about how we present ourselves to the world. I have a public persona, ‘AJ,’ but it’s important to remember that’s just one facet of who I am. At the core, I’m Alexander James, and that’s the person I’m really connecting with now.

In October 2018, the actor known for American Pie shared on Instagram that he had been sober for a year, marking the milestone with a positive and uplifting message.

He began his journey to sobriety more than five years ago, realizing his dependence on alcohol and drugs had become overwhelming. He quickly discovered that getting sober was incredibly difficult.

He shared that he’s been sober for a year, something he’s incredibly proud of after a difficult journey. He encouraged anyone struggling with addiction to seek help, reminding them that there’s no shame in asking and that recovery is possible.

Looking back on his battle with addiction, he thought about how far he’d gone to keep it a secret.

He recently shared on his wife Jenny Mollen’s podcast, All the Fails, that despite being in therapy and ‘working on things,’ he sometimes finds himself immediately after a good session going to buy vodka, finishing a fifth, and then driving home. He admitted he’d learned how to drink enough to disconnect from his life and avoid facing his feelings.

He explained that he’d carefully planned how much he’d drink, wanting to stay coherent enough to talk to me. He mentioned he was constantly swapping out the bottles at the bar to control his intake.

The two-time World Cup-winning soccer player has publicly discussed using Adderall improperly while recovering from injuries during her time playing college soccer.

She shared on the 2025 podcast Question Everything with Danielle Robay that she had become seriously addicted to Adderall and was using it in a dangerous way. She explained she was taking it constantly, often going days without sleep. It was a chaotic period, and she worried about her health, even fearing a heart attack. She admitted to taking the drug by crushing and snorting it, acknowledging how harmful her behavior had become.

However, in the midst of her struggle, her college coach Anson Dorrance was there to support her.

She described a difficult time where she had to adapt significantly. Anson encouraged her to read, and she found a life-changing book called Man’s Search for Meaning. It helped her understand and cope with suffering by offering a new perspective.

In October 2025, Migos member Quavo revealed he had been sober from codeine—an opioid often mixed with soda to make “sizzurp”—for four years. He credited a serious conversation with his teenage son, Jordan, as the turning point that led him to get clean.

Offset shared that his oldest son repeatedly asked for pineapple Fanta, even though he rarely drinks soda. The son eventually noticed his dad’s drink was a different color and asked why, which Offset found incredibly touching.

Offset explained that the seemingly harmless comment really upset him, saying he almost cried when he went to his room.

The rapper explained he felt guilty as a father. He was worried his son hadn’t realized he was using drugs, and even something as simple as his son wanting the same soda made him anxious, fearing he was a bad influence.

The Academy Award-winning actor has often openly discussed December 29, 1975, the date he stopped drinking.

In an October 2025 interview on The New York Times‘ podcast The Interview, he admitted he was driving under the influence in California and briefly lost consciousness. He described not knowing where he was going and then realizing the danger he posed to others – and himself, which he said he didn’t seem to care about at the time – ultimately leading him to recognize he had a problem with alcohol.

With support from a friend, he started a journey of recovery. In December 2025, he celebrated 50 years of sobriety and shared a message of hope for others facing the same struggles he overcame decades earlier.

He urged people to embrace life in an Instagram message, repeating the word ‘life’ multiple times to emphasize his point: ‘Choose life instead of the opposite. Life, life, life, and more life!’

The Valley star shared his decades-long battle with drugs in March 2025 after going to rehab.

Let me be really open with you all. I’m sharing something personal, but it’s important. I’m acknowledging that I struggle with addiction, specifically with cocaine. It’s been incredibly difficult to say this out loud, but I feel it’s time to be honest about my journey.

He explained that he’s been struggling with this issue intermittently since he was 23, and now, at 45, it continues. He’d have periods of stopping, followed by times when it became much worse.

Jax also stopped drinking, explaining that while he didn’t believe he had a serious alcohol issue, it was connected to his cocaine use. He couldn’t use cocaine without drinking alcohol, so he decided to quit both. He’s proud to have been sober for 82 or 83 days – the longest he’s ever stayed away from both substances.

Tom Holland, known for his role as Spider-Man, quit drinking in 2022 because he felt controlled by alcohol. He admitted on the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast that he was addicted, saying, “I was definitely addicted to alcohol, not shying away from that at all.” He believes even having a beer every day could be a sign of a problem.

The actor explained that you eventually reach a point where you regret having that extra drink. This usually leads to a really bad headache the next morning.

After adopting a new lifestyle, Holland found he was sleeping more soundly and coping with challenges more effectively.

He explained that he was much more relaxed and able to handle problems on set. He felt mentally clear, healthier, and in better physical shape.

Sean Connery, known for his role in Hunt for Red October, rarely discusses his recovery, which started nearly forty years ago.

He shared in a May 2024 podcast that he doesn’t often talk about his sobriety, only bringing it up when relevant. He revealed he’s been sober for 39 years, since February 23, 1985.

Looking back at when I first moved to Los Angeles from New York in ’83, Alec described a really difficult period. He said he was battling huge problems daily for two years, and honestly, it sounded like he was using a lot of cocaine – he joked it was like a line stretching all the way to Saturn! It was a different time, and he explained that cocaine was incredibly common – almost everyone was using it like it was just another everyday thing, like drinking coffee all day.

And after quitting the drug, he soon turned to alcohol—only to also quit that dependency.

Today, he relies on the city around him.

You know, as a lifestyle expert, I always say your surroundings should nourish your soul, and New York City definitely does that for me. It’s my home, and I find it incredibly relaxing. I love simply wandering around – I’m constantly discovering new details I’ve never noticed before, like the unique doors on a building I’ve passed a hundred times! It’s also a great place to connect with friends, whether it’s over a quick coffee or a leisurely lunch. It’s about appreciating the little things and the connections you make.

In April 2024, Anne Hathaway, known for her role in The Princess Diaries, revealed she has been sober for over five years. She told The New York Times that reaching this point felt like a significant achievement.

She explained her decision simply. “I realized I wasn’t truly interested,” she said. “It felt strange to have to explain that I wanted absolutely none of it. But it’s like an allergy – if you have a severe reaction, you don’t question it. I finally stopped trying to justify my feelings.”

She’s glad she made the change, explaining that it’s improved everything in her life. She described her previous state as being stuck in negativity, something she actively avoids.

Oh my gosh, when Demi accepted the Woman of the Year award from the Peggy Albrecht Friendly House – it’s a place that helps women get back on their feet after addiction – she opened up about how close she came to losing everything. She talked about this really dark, self-destructive time, like her career was almost completely derailed. It was so brave of her to share, and honestly, it just made me love her even more. I was completely captivated!

I believe we all have key moments that define us and our future. Early in my career, I was heading down a really destructive path, and despite any success I achieved, I constantly felt inadequate. I had very little self-worth, and that negativity quickly led to a crisis. At the time, I didn’t understand why, but it felt like something—perhaps fate—intervened.

In 2012, seeking help, Moore expressed gratitude to two strangers who essentially challenged her to change her ways. She joked that they told her she needed to get her life together, or else. They gave her “a chance to get back on track before I ruined everything,” she explained.

Moore reflected that others recognized potential in her that she hadn’t seen in herself. She expressed deep gratitude for their belief in her, saying she wouldn’t be where she was today without their support.

Miley Cyrus revealed in 2022 that she’s been working on overcoming her addiction to Xanax since 2020. She told Rolling Stone that recovery provided much-needed stability during a difficult time. “It gave me something to focus on and helped me stay positive,” she explained.

The singer explained that once they discovered a way to briefly block out feelings and escape the pain, they were finished with something – whatever was causing them distress.

She explained that her friends at the time didn’t discourage her drug use, and it quickly spiraled out of control, becoming a never-ending cycle. During the pandemic, she realized she was struggling and felt disconnected. She remembered frequently falling asleep and being unable to stay awake or focus because of how deeply involved she was with drugs.

She eventually sought help and noted that “it took some time to get on my own two feet.”

In his 2025 documentary, Stans, Eminem opened up about his past struggles with prescription pills. He shared that an overdose and missing his daughter Hailie Jade’s birthday were turning points that led him to change his life.

He explained that he started crying when he realized he was on the verge of repeating past mistakes. He recalled desperately asking himself if he really wanted to miss out on life again, and urging himself to push through, even if it was difficult, especially for the sake of others. He used harsh self-criticism to motivate himself, questioning his own strength and resolve.

Honestly, watching him pour himself back into his music? It was everything. It wasn’t just a comeback, it was like seeing him heal. Everyone talks about his struggles, but seeing him create again, that’s what really helped him get better, you know? It was amazing to watch, and I truly believe it was key to his recovery.

He said it did something—it switched the light on. He realized he wasn’t ashamed of being sober anymore. Instead, he started seeing his sobriety as a strength and felt proud of overcoming his addiction.

The former star of Parenthood had been sober for 16 years when they experienced a relapse in 2020. This happened after a motorcycle accident led to taking Vicodin.

He explained on his Armchair Expert podcast that he’s been taking prescription medication consistently for about the past two months, and he’s also taking additional doses beyond what’s prescribed.

He went on to say he was miserable and felt he was deceiving everyone around him. He knew he needed to stop, but his tolerance was increasing so fast that he was now using eight pills a day, a dosage he feared would cause severe withdrawal symptoms. He admitted he was becoming increasingly frightened and isolated, burdened by a huge secret he was keeping.

In 2018, the actress from Halloween openly discussed her decade-long struggle with opioid addiction. It began in the late 1980s after a small cosmetic procedure to address puffy eyes, which led to a life-altering prescription. She told People magazine that she spent ten years stealing and deceiving others, keeping her addiction a secret from everyone.

Curtis recalls the summer of 1998 as her lowest point. Her sister arrived with prescription painkillers for a broken rib, and Curtis ended up taking all of them. Knowing her sister would discover the missing pills before leaving, she confessed in a note left on the suitcase. To Curtis’s relief, her sister responded with love and concern, telling her she couldn’t bear to watch Curtis destroy herself.

Jamie Lee Curtis went to her first support group meeting on February 3, 1999, and that same day, she told her husband, filmmaker Christopher Guest, about her struggles. She said he was surprised he hadn’t realized before, and she’s remained sober ever since.

Drew Barrymore, who has previously sought treatment for substance abuse, revealed in 2021 that she had reached a significant point in her recovery. Speaking on CBS Mornings, she shared that she’d been sober for two and a half years, explaining that alcohol simply wasn’t helping her life anymore.

She explained that sharing who you truly are – your experiences and accomplishments – is both freeing and makes you feel exposed, which is a really interesting combination.

Drew Barrymore later told the Los Angeles Times she avoids calling herself “sober” because she doesn’t want to be seen as overly strict or judgmental.

I used to tell myself, ‘I’m going to get this, I’m going to crack the code!’ It was all I could think about. But then it hit me, and it was kind of awful, really. I realized I’d been chasing something impossible – I’m never going to truly master it, and honestly, I never have.

Bradley Cooper battled a cocaine addiction in the early 2000s. His friend, Will Arnett, helped him by directly addressing the issue and confronting him about his struggles.

Cooper shared in a 2022 podcast interview that it was the first time he truly recognized he was struggling with substance use. He said he’ll never forget that moment of realization.

Cooper explained that Arnett’s honest conversation was the turning point that led him to get sober and change his life. He described Arnett as the primary reason he decided to get help.

Edward Norton battled alcohol addiction for years before Bradley Cooper helped him get sober. Accepting an award from Cooper at the 2020 National Board of Review Awards, Norton shared, “I got sober because of this guy, and I’ve been happier every day since.”

In September 2023, the former Cruel Intentions star revealed on Instagram that they had gone longer without using nicotine or marijuana – or any substances, really – than they had since their teenage years.

He expressed gratitude for overcoming addiction and substance dependency, saying that achieving sobriety brings a sense of clarity and a deeper spiritual connection, which feels incredibly positive.

I was so incredibly proud of her when she celebrated six years of sobriety while on tour in 2018. It felt like such a huge accomplishment! That’s why it hit me so hard when she released “Sober” later that year. The song was so raw and honest – it revealed she’d actually relapsed, and it was a really difficult thing to hear, but also showed her incredible bravery in being so open about her struggles.

She sang, filled with regret, apologizing to her parents for losing control and drinking. ‘Mom, I’m so sorry I’m not sober,’ she confessed, and pleaded with her father to forgive the mess she’d made. She also expressed gratitude to those who had stayed by her side, acknowledging that this wasn’t the first time she’d struggled with this, and repeating her apology for being unable to stay sober.

A month later, Lovato was hospitalized for a near-fatal overdose.

She shared on Instagram a couple of weeks ago that she’s always been open about her struggles with addiction. She explained that it’s an ongoing battle, not something she’s simply overcome, and that she still has work to do. She asked for time to heal and focus on getting better, and expressed her gratitude for the support she’s received. She’s hopeful for the future and determined to continue fighting for her sobriety.

In 2018, she spoke about her struggles with sex and alcohol addiction. She explained that her addictions tended to shift over time, and when she was younger, she believed sex could solve any problem. She also described realizing she had developed a serious issue with drinking.

She recalled a particularly low point when she was home alone and had already finished two bottles of wine, about to open a third. That’s when she realized she might have a drinking problem.

I stopped abruptly, which I’m capable of doing. I tend to get really into things, so I always have to be mindful of my habits and potential obsessions. It’s not necessarily what you do, but how and why you do it. The underlying motivations and behaviors are what really matter. For example, having a lot of sex is fine, but you need to understand why you’re doing it.

Backstreet Boys member AJ McLean revealed he first experimented with drugs before filming the music video for their 2000 hit, “The Call.” He later shared on Good Morning America that he was extremely out of control during the shoot. After getting sober in 2021, he experienced significant improvements to his health, including losing 32 pounds in just seven months by eliminating alcohol and fast food from his diet.

He told Today in September 2022 that drinking led to both weight gain and a decline in his mental well-being.

Following the tragic death of Mac Miller, rapper Bow Wow (Shad Moss) revealed his own past struggle with addiction in a series of tweets. He admitted to being addicted to lean (codeine cough syrup) while working on the ‘Face Off’ album with Omarion, and even while making appearances on BET and during a public dispute with Torae. He explained that his behavior changed, causing a strain with his fans and family. Despite never promoting drug use in his music, he was heavily addicted, consuming it at least seven times a day during the UCP tour with Chris Brown. He experienced severe withdrawal symptoms that landed him in the hospital after a show in Cincinnati.

Bow Wow described the pain of withdrawal as unlike anything he’d ever felt, noting he was constantly cold and missed shows in Chicago and Baltimore due to being high and sick. He urged his fans to avoid drugs, emphasizing that he was doing it to fit in. He encouraged everyone to be good sons and daughters and to strive to be their best selves, stating he would be more open about his experiences to help save young people. He also pleaded with parents to talk to their children about the dangers of drugs.

He shared that the addiction continues to affect his health, specifically his stomach, and reiterated that staying drug-free is the best path. He concluded by emphasizing the importance of protecting young people and breaking the cycle of drug use, expressing his love for his fans and urging them not to follow harmful trends.

In 2018, the singer opened up about her struggles with addiction, coinciding with the release of her album No Shame and her memoir My Thoughts Exactly. She revealed she had been using cocaine and drinking heavily, describing herself as constantly intoxicated. Things came to a head when, after accidentally hitting Orlando Bloom with a headbutt at Kate Hudson’s Halloween party and knocking herself unconscious, Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin intervened with a formal intervention.

In an interview with The Guardian, she described a period of deep unhappiness, saying she felt nothing could bring her satisfaction. She recalled one morning considering heroin use, feeling it might be the only thing that could help because everything else had failed.

The actor known for The Parent Trap struggled with cocaine addiction during the 1980s, leading him to enter rehab in 1990. He later shared on Today that he came of age in the 1960s and 70s, a time when attitudes toward drug use were very different.

He confessed that in the 1980s, he was using cocaine almost every day, to the point where it was impacting his finances. He described desperately praying for help to overcome his addiction, fearing it would interfere with work. But he’d often find himself rationalizing his use just a few hours later, thinking it wasn’t a serious problem.

He described a powerful experience, what he called seeing a white light, where he felt he was either dead or about to lose everything important in his life. He then had to explain this to his then-fiancée, Meg Ryan, and afterwards, he decided to get help. He says this was the turning point that ended his struggle with cocaine.

Following an incident at a Newport Beach hotel where he attempted to break down his own door, Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte entered treatment for alcohol addiction in 2018. According to his representative, Lochte had been struggling with alcohol abuse for years, and it had become a harmful cycle. He recognized the need for professional help and began treatment immediately.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve seen firsthand how crucial tackling health challenges is for overall well-being. For Ryan, getting on top of this now isn’t just about physical health; it’s about being the best possible version of himself – a devoted husband, a present father, and an athlete capable of achieving his dream of competing at his fifth Olympics in Tokyo. He understands that prioritizing his health now sets the foundation for success in all areas of his life.

Despite knowing you shouldn’t get sober for another person, Jason Ritter credits his relationship with Melanie Lynskey as a significant factor in his decision to stop drinking.

He realized how wonderful she was and believed she deserved someone truly special. Appearing on The Drew Barrymore Show in March 2023, he admitted he didn’t feel up to the task, saying he was ‘a little bit too crazy’ for her.

However, as Ritter noted to TopMob News, he now sees that sobriety is ultimately a personal choice.

Looking back on the beginning of our relationship, I realize I often told myself I was doing things for her, but honestly, it was a way to mask how little I valued myself at the time. Protecting her feelings felt more important than protecting my own. It was easier to frame everything as being for her. But now, thankfully, I’ve grown. Now, I’m finally doing things for me.

The country singer has been sober for almost ten years, but reaching this point was a difficult journey. His struggle with alcohol and painkillers started shortly after high school and continued even as his career gained momentum. He admitted to People magazine that he always kept a black leather laptop bag stocked with Jagermeister or vodka, needing to drink “every hour and a half to two hours,” and take pills “every three or four hours.”

It didn’t hinder his accomplishments at all. “I wasn’t falling apart,” he explained. “Actually, I was incredibly productive – I wrote more songs during that time than I am now, and that’s what really frightened me.”

In late 2011, he was hospitalized with pancreatitis and warned that his life was in danger if he didn’t stop drinking. He admitted he initially tried to cut back on his own, setting small goals like limiting himself to a certain number of pills or amount of alcohol each day. He’d even mark his bottles to track his progress, and it would work for a short time—until a social event tempted him to relapse.

Eventually, Gilbert realized he needed professional help and entered a rehabilitation program on December 18, 2011. He explained, “I finally admitted I couldn’t overcome this on my own.” He was frustrated and ashamed, saying, “It really bothered me, and I’m usually a very determined person, but this was something I just couldn’t change.”

2025-12-29 21:22

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