Anthony Hopkins shares terrifying incident that made him realise he was an alcoholic

Warning: This article contains discussion of alcoholism, which some readers may find distressing.

Anthony Hopkins has opened up more about the terrifying incident that made him realise he was an alcoholic.

The actor often speaks about his sobriety, coming up to 50 years since he quit drinking in December.

When he hit 49 years, he spoke about realising ‘he needed help’ and how he’s had ‘more fun than ever’ since. Hopkins often urges others who experience problem drinking to get help, having not realised himself at the time that he was ‘not unique’.

“I’ve had a wonderful life,” the 87-year-old told his Instagram followers as he said quitting alcohol hasn’t stopped him from working or making the most of his years.

And it was all because of an incident on 29 December 1975 that prompted him to seek support.

Anthony Hopkins says he's had a 'wonderful life' without booze (David Livingston/Getty Images)

Speaking on the New York Times’ podcast The Interview, Hopkins shared more details about that day in California.

“I’m always slightly reluctant to talk about it because I don’t want to sound preachy or like a goodie two shoes,” he explained.

“But I was drunk driving my car here in California in a blackout - no clue where I was going. And it was a moment when I realised I couldn’t have killed somebody or myself – which i didn’t care about – but I could’ve killed a family in a car.”

Hopkins said he therefore realised he was ‘an alcoholic’ and came to his senses.

The star spoke to an ex-agent of his at a party in Beverly Hills and said ‘I need help’ before calling and heading over to a group for alcoholics.

“This is the spooky part,” The Silence of the Lambs star added, recalling how he looked at his watch at 11 o’clock precisely.

“Some deep, powerful thought or voice spoke to me from inside and said, ‘It’s all over now. You can start living and it has all been for a purpose. So don’t forget a moment of it.'

"And it was just a voice from the blue, from inside, deep inside me."

Hopkins said from that moment, ‘the craving to drink’ disappeared, and it was all over.

“Now I don’t have any theories except the divinity or that power that we all possess inside us, that creates us from birth, life force, whatever it is,” he added. “It’s a consciousness I believe. But my whole life has been like that.”

Please drink responsibly. If you want to discuss any issues relating to alcohol in confidence, contact Drinkline on 0300 123 1110, 9am–8pm weekdays and 11am–4pm weekends for advice and support.