Anthony Hopkins is sharing where his sobriety journey began.
As someone who’s followed a lot of personal transformations, I’ve always been fascinated by turning points. A recent conversation with a two-time Oscar winner really struck me. He shared the story of giving up alcohol almost 50 years ago – December 29th, 1975, to be exact – and he remembers the very moment he decided to make that change with incredible clarity. It just goes to show how powerful those pivotal moments can be when it comes to reshaping your life.
Let me tell you, hitting rock bottom can be a powerful wake-up call. I recently shared on a podcast that I was driving under the influence in California, and honestly, I was completely out of it – a total blackout. It wasn’t just about breaking the law, it was terrifying to realize I could have seriously hurt or even killed someone, or myself, and at that moment, I understood I had a real problem with alcohol. It was a deeply sobering experience that finally forced me to confront my alcoholism.
Once he had a sudden realization, the actor from Silence of the Lambs immediately contacted a coworker.
I had a real wake-up call at a party in Beverly Hills, and I knew I couldn’t handle things on my own. I actually turned to a former agent of mine and asked for help. I remember looking at my watch – it was exactly 11:00 PM when I did.
Hopkins, 87, also noted another detail of the experience: the way his awakening was delivered.
He remembered a strange experience where a deep, powerful voice spoke to him from within. It said, ‘It’s finished. Now you’re free to live, and everything that happened had a reason, so remember it all.’ He described the voice as clear, male, and sounding like something on the radio. At the same time, he said he suddenly lost his urge to drink – it simply vanished.
As someone who’s followed Anthony Hopkins’ journey, it’s truly inspiring to see how he’s flourished since getting sober. He’s delivered some incredibly memorable performances in films like Howards End, The Two Popes, and The Father, earning widespread praise. It’s also really powerful that he’s been open about his past, even sharing on social media that a night in the mid-70s served as a real wake-up call for him – a turning point that changed his life.
He admitted to occasionally having moments of self-doubt, sharing in an Instagram video, “But overall, I encourage everyone to persevere. Today is the day you were previously stressing about.”
To see what more stars have said about sobriety, keep reading.
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 explained it’s a daily effort, but following advice from the recovery community has dramatically improved his life.
While AJ acknowledged he is “still learning, still growing,” he’s now confident in who he is.
I’ve been hearing him talk about some really important changes he’s made. He used to struggle with saying ‘no’ and setting limits – he never really understood boundaries before. But now he does, and honestly, it sounds like a huge weight off his shoulders. He also explained that ‘AJ’ is kind of a character he plays, a public persona, but it’s not him. He wants everyone to know that his real name is Alexander James, and that’s who he truly is.
In October 2018, the actor known for American Pie shared on Instagram that he had been sober for a year, marking the occasion with a positive and hopeful message.
He shared that he first attempted to stop drinking and using drugs more than five years ago, realizing his addiction had become overwhelming. He admitted it was a difficult process.
He shared that he’s been sober for a year, something he’s incredibly proud of after a difficult journey. He encouraged anyone who’s struggling with addiction to seek help and remember they’re not alone – recovery is possible.
Looking back on his battle with addiction, he thought about how far he’d gone to keep it a secret.
He shared on his wife Jenny Mollen’s podcast, All the Fails, that he was in therapy but still struggling with alcohol. He described a cycle where he’d leave a productive therapy session and immediately go buy a bottle of vodka, drink it, and then drive home. He admitted he used alcohol to disconnect from his feelings and avoid dealing with reality.
He explained that he’d carefully planned how much to drink, making sure he stayed coherent enough to talk. He mentioned he was constantly switching out the alcohol bottles at the bar.
The two-time World Cup-winning soccer player has publicly discussed using Adderall inappropriately 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 an extremely unhealthy period, and she worried about causing serious health problems. She admitted to crushing and snorting the pills, acknowledging how problematic 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 create the drink known as 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 a story on the show Baby, This Is Keke Palmer about his son repeatedly asking for pineapple Fanta, even though he rarely drinks soda. What really got to Offset, he said, was when his son noticed the color of his Fanta was different and asked why.
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 parent. He was worried his son didn’t realize he was using drugs, and even something as simple as his son wanting the same soda made him anxious. He feared he was a bad influence.
The Valley star shared his decades-long battle with drugs in March 2025 after going to rehab.
Jax revealed on the March 4th episode of Bravo’s Hot Mic podcast that he’s struggling with addiction, specifically with cocaine. He admitted it was difficult to share this information publicly.
He explained that he’s been struggling with this issue intermittently since he was 23, and now, at 45, it continues. He’d sometimes manage to stop, but other times would find himself doing it intensely.
Jax stopped drinking and using cocaine at the same time. He explained that while he wasn’t sure he had a drinking problem, he always used cocaine with alcohol, so he decided to quit both. He’s now been sober for over 82 days – the longest stretch of his life without either substance, and he’s proud of that accomplishment.
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 definitely addicted and believes that 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. Then, you wake up with a really bad headache the next day.
After adopting a new lifestyle, Holland found he was sleeping more soundly and coping with challenges more effectively.
He explained that he was much calmer and more 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 four decades ago.
He shared in a May 2024 podcast that he doesn’t often talk about his sobriety, but mentions it occasionally when relevant. He’s been sober for 39 years, since February 23, 1985.
Alec described his early years in Los Angeles after leaving New York in 1983 as a period of intense struggle with cocaine addiction. He admitted to using a massive amount of the drug, saying it felt as common and accepted as drinking coffee at the time, and that many people were using it constantly.
And after quitting the drug, he soon turned to alcohol—only to also quit that dependency.
Today, he relies on the city around him.
He said New York City feels like home and helps him relax. He loves simply walking around and discovering new details he’s never seen before – like noticing unique features on buildings. He also enjoys spending time with friends over lunch or coffee.
In April 2024, Anne Hathaway, known for her role in The Princess Diaries, revealed she’s 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 it wasn’t a good fit for me,” she said. “It felt difficult to have to completely refuse, but I had to be firm. It’s like an allergy – if you have a serious reaction, you don’t try to fight it. I finally accepted that and stopped questioning it.”
She’s glad she made the change. “I’ve found that things are just better overall,” she explained. “It used to really bring me down, and I don’t want to feel that way anymore.”
When accepting the 2018 Woman of the Year Award from the Peggy Albrecht Friendly House – a program helping women recover from substance and alcohol abuse – actress Moore discussed how a damaging lifestyle almost ended her career.
I believe we all have key moments that define us and set our life’s course. Early in my career, I was heading down a very destructive path. Despite any success I achieved, I constantly felt inadequate and had very little self-worth. This quickly led to a crisis, and at the time, I didn’t understand why it was happening – it almost felt like something bigger than myself intervened.
In 2012, while seeking treatment, Moore expressed gratitude to two strangers who strongly encouraged her to change her life. She jokingly recalled them telling her she needed to get help or face the consequences, explaining they gave her “a chance to get back on track before I ruined everything.”
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 have achieved her current success without their support.
Miley Cyrus revealed in 2022 that she’s been working to overcome her addiction to Xanax since 2020. She told Rolling Stone that recovery provided much-needed stability during a difficult time. “It gave me structure when I really needed it, because I didn’t want to just sit around dwelling on things,” she explained. “It gave me hope.”
The singer explained that once they discovered a way to briefly block out feelings and escape the pain, they were finished with whatever was causing it.
She explained that her friends at the time didn’t discourage her drug use, and it quickly spiraled out of control. During the pandemic, she realized she was struggling and felt disconnected from her emotions. She remembers being constantly exhausted, often nodding off and unable to stay awake because of how deeply affected she was.
She eventually sought help and noted that “it took some time to get on my own two feet.”
As someone who’s followed a lot of celebrity journeys, I was really moved by what Eminem shared in his upcoming documentary, Stans. He opened up about a really difficult period with prescription pills, even admitting he overdosed. What truly sparked a change for him, he said, was missing his daughter Hailie’s birthday. It was a wake-up call, and he realized he needed to make things right.
He explained that he became emotional realizing he almost missed out on something important. He recalled mentally pushing himself, asking if he really wanted to repeat past mistakes and miss out again. He urged himself to persevere, even if it was difficult, and to do it for the sake of others.
Focusing on making music again was a key part of the Oscar winner’s recovery from addiction.
He described how it activated a light. This made him realize he wasn’t ashamed of being sober anymore. Instead, he began to see his sobriety as a strength, and he felt proud of overcoming his addiction.
The actor, known from the show Parenthood, had been sober for 16 years when they had a setback in 2020. They began taking Vicodin after being injured in a motorcycle accident.
He explained on his Armchair Expert podcast that he’s been taking prescription medication consistently for about the last eight weeks, and he’s also taking extra doses beyond what’s prescribed.
He went on, saying he hated what was happening 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, thirty milligrams each, every day. He was terrified, knowing this much use would lead to severe withdrawal symptoms. He also felt incredibly isolated and burdened by keeping such a large secret.
In 2018, the actress best known for her role in Halloween openly discussed her decade-long struggle with opioid addiction. It started 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, all in secret. “No one knew,” she said. “No one.”
Curtis recalls the summer of 1998 as her lowest point. Her sister arrived with prescription painkillers for a broken rib, and Curtis, overcome with her addiction, stole them. Remembering the event brought her to tears as she described knowing her sister’s medication was in the guest room and taking all of it. Before her sister left, Curtis confessed in a note, leaving it on the suitcase. To her relief, her sister responded with love and concern, telling Curtis she couldn’t bear to watch her destroy herself.
Jamie Lee Curtis went to her first support group meeting on February 3, 1999, and on that same day, she told her husband, filmmaker Christopher Guest, about her struggles with addiction. She said he was surprised he hadn’t noticed before, and she has been 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. In an interview on CBS Mornings, she shared that she’d been sober for two and a half years, realizing alcohol simply wasn’t beneficial to her life.
It’s a really freeing experience to share who you are, what you believe, and everything you’ve achieved – even though it can also feel a little scary and open.
Drew Barrymore told the Los Angeles Times she avoids calling herself “sober” because she doesn’t want to be seen as someone who’s overly strict or judgmental.
She explained that in 2023, she had a realization after constantly telling herself she would eventually succeed. She finally admitted to herself, ‘I’m never going to master this, and that’s okay.’
Bradley Cooper battled a cocaine addiction in the early 2000s. His friend, Will Arnett, helped him by addressing the issue and confronting him about his struggles.
Cooper shared in a 2022 podcast interview on Smartless that it was the first moment he recognized he was struggling with substance use, a realization he says he’ll never forget.
You know, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful a direct conversation can be. A friend, Arnett, really challenged me when I needed it most, and honestly, it was the catalyst for me getting sober. It wasn’t easy to hear, but it was exactly what I needed to start making positive changes and take control of my life. I truly credit him with helping me get on this path.
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 Annual Awards, Norton shared, “I got sober because of this guy, and every day has been better since.”
In September 2023, the former Cruel Intentions star revealed on Instagram that they hadn’t used nicotine or marijuana—or any substances, really—for the longest time 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 good.
In 2018, the singer first celebrated six years of being sober while on tour. However, she surprised fans later that year with her song “Sober,” in which she admitted she had started using substances again.
She sang, filled with regret, apologizing to her parents for losing control and drinking too much. She acknowledged repeating past mistakes, expressing her sorrow for being unable to stay sober and the mess it caused, while also thanking those who had stuck by her through it all.
A month later, Lovato was hospitalized for a near-fatal overdose.
I’ve always tried to be open about my struggles with addiction, and I wanted to share what I’ve realized: this isn’t something that just goes away on its own. It’s a constant battle, and honestly, I’m still working through it. Right now, I really need to prioritize my healing and focus on getting sober and well. The incredible support you’ve all given me means the world, and I’m holding onto the hope that one day I’ll be able to say I’ve truly overcome this. I’m committed to keep fighting for my recovery.
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 then described realizing she had also developed a serious issue with drinking.
She recalled a moment when she was home alone and realized she was about to finish her third bottle of wine. That’s when she stopped and thought, ‘This isn’t good. I might have a drinking problem.’
I stopped completely and abruptly. That’s just how I am – I can do that. I tend to get really into things, so I always have to be careful and monitor my behavior. It’s not necessarily what you do, but how and why you do it. The motivation behind the behavior is what matters. For example, wanting to have a lot of sex is fine, but you need to understand why you want that.
Backstreet Boys member AJ McLean revealed he first experimented with drugs before filming the music video for their 2000 hit, “The Call.” He later told Good Morning America that he was extremely out of control during the video shoot. He achieved sobriety in 2021 and experienced significant improvements in his health within a year, including losing 32 pounds over seven months by eliminating alcohol and fast food.
He told Today in September 2022 that drinking not only led to weight gain, but also negatively impacted his mental health.
Following the unexpected death of Mac Miller, rapper Bow Wow (born Shad Moss) revealed on Twitter that he had previously struggled with an addiction to cough syrup, often called “lean.” He explained that during the creation of his album FACE OFF with Omarion, he was using lean daily. He admitted to being high on lean during a memorable on-stage incident with Torae on BET, noting it affected his behavior and strained relationships with fans and family. He emphasized he never glorified drug use in his music. During his UCP tour with Chris Brown, he was consuming cough syrup at least seven times a day and didn’t stop until he collapsed backstage in Cincinnati and woke up in the hospital experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Bow Wow described the pain of withdrawal as unlike anything he’d ever felt, causing him to feel intensely cold and forcing him to miss shows in Chicago and Baltimore. He admitted he was using drugs to fit in and urged others to avoid the same mistake, encouraging them to be good family members and strive to be their best selves. He pledged to speak out more about the dangers of drug use, particularly to protect young people, and asked parents to talk to their children about the risks. He shared that his stomach has never fully recovered and reiterated that staying drug-free is the best path. He concluded by stressing the importance of protecting young artists and encouraging everyone to break the cycle of drug use, saying he doesn’t want to see anyone else lost too soon.
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 heavily using cocaine and drinking excessively. Things came to a head when, after accidentally hitting Orlando Bloom with her head at Kate Hudson’s Halloween party and losing consciousness, Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin organized an intervention to help her.
I was really struck by what she shared with The Guardian. She described feeling completely empty, like nothing could truly make her happy. It was heartbreaking to hear her say that she actually considered trying heroin because she felt like she’d exhausted every other option and nothing was helping her cope.
The actor known for The Parent Trap struggled with cocaine addiction during the 1980s, leading him to seek treatment 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, his cocaine use was so extensive it rivaled some movie budgets. He described desperately pleading with God to help him stop, often right before work, only to find himself using again by the afternoon. He admitted to a cycle of regret and relapse, rationalizing that things weren’t ‘so bad’ just hours after begging for help.
He described a powerful experience – what he called seeing a white light – where he felt he was either dying or losing 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 moment his struggle with cocaine ended.
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. His representative stated that Lochte had been struggling with alcohol for years, and it had become a damaging cycle. He recognized the need for professional help and began treatment right away.
According to a recent statement, Ryan understands that overcoming this illness is crucial, not only to prevent future regrets, but also to be a good husband and father, and to have a chance at competing in his fifth Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020 and regaining his top form.
Despite knowing you shouldn’t get sober for another person, actor Jason Ritter credits his relationship with Melanie Lynskey as a key 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 felt ‘a little bit too crazy’ to be with her.
However, as Ritter noted to TopMob News, he now sees that sobriety is ultimately a personal choice.
Looking back, I realize I used to tell everyone I was doing it all for her. Honestly? It was easier. I didn’t think I was worth much back then, you know? Hurting myself wasn’t the problem – hurting her was. So saying it was ‘for her’ just… fit. It felt like the only way to explain it. But now? Now I’m finally doing it for me. It’s a huge difference, and it feels so much better to admit it.
I’ve been such a long-time fan, and I was really moved by his honesty about his struggles. He’s been sober for almost ten years now, but getting there was a real battle. It all started right after high school with alcohol and painkillers, and even as his career took off, it just got worse. He actually told People magazine he used to carry a black leather laptop bag always filled with Jagermeister or vodka, keeping it close by. He described how, throughout the day, he’d need a few good swigs every hour and a half to two hours, and then a couple of pills every three or four. It’s incredible to see how far he’s come.
Despite everything, it didn’t hinder his accomplishments. “I wasn’t falling apart,” he explained. “Actually, I was more productive then than I am today, and that’s what really worried me.”
I was absolutely devastated to hear about what happened back in 2011. He was hospitalized with pancreatitis, and the doctors basically told him he wouldn’t make it to his next birthday if he didn’t stop drinking. It’s just… heartbreaking. He tried, you know? He really did. He’d tell himself he’d only have a couple of pills, or just a certain amount of alcohol, and he’d even mark the bottles to keep track! And it would actually work for a little while, a couple of days maybe, but then someone would throw a party and… well, you can imagine. It just broke his heart, and it broke mine to hear him talk about it. He was fighting so hard.
Eventually, Gilbert realized he needed help and checked into rehab on December 18, 2011. He explained, “I finally admitted I couldn’t overcome this on my own.” He was frustrated and ashamed, saying, “I’m usually very determined, but this was the one thing I just couldn’t manage to change.”
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2025-10-27 19:51