Anthony Hopkins marks his 49th year of sobriety with a video

Welsh actor Anthony Hopkins shared a new message to his fans, celebrating 49 years of mind.

The veteran actor has a long tradition of sending messages of hope to people struggling with alcoholism, and uses his sobriety as a way to motivate them.

On his sober anniversaries, Hopkins usually does a video detailing his experience and how he chose to get sober, and this year he continued the tradition.

In the nearly two-minute clip, he shared his sobriety story with his fans, telling what made him quit drinking.

Hopkins began: “Good morning. Happy December 29th. The 29th? Why the 29th? Well, 49 years ago today I quit (imitates drinking).”

He shared that he had fun then, but realized he was in “big trouble” because he couldn't remember anything.

The “Father” actor continued, “I was driving drunk out of my skull. Then on that fateful day, I knew I needed help, so I got it.”

After realizing he needed help, Hopkins said, he “called a group of people” who were in a similar situation and began his journey to sobriety. He added: “In any case, I've had more fun these 49 years than I've ever had.”

The actor used his message to inspire people struggling with alcoholism or alcohol-related problems. He reassured them by saying: “If you have a problem, it's great to have fun, it's good to drink. But if you have a problem with alcohol, there's help.”

Hopkins explained, “It's not a terrible deal. It's a condition if you're allergic to alcohol. Get help because there's a lot of help around.”

He also said, “One thing I didn't realize was that I wasn't unique. There are thousands of people like me around.”

At the end of the video, Hopkins expressed hope and positivity to his followers, using his life as an example of how sane people can still have fun and great opportunities.

He said: “Anyway, I got sober. It sounds dull, but I've had a wonderful life. They still employ me, they still give me work.”

The 86-year-old shared: “I'll be 87 in two days, so I'm celebrating my longevity – my unexpected longevity – so if you're in trouble, you know where to go.”

Hopkins urged those with drinking problems to seek help by calling a group, enrolling in a 12-step program or doing whatever they can “because it (alcohol) is a killer.”

He concluded his message by blowing a kiss and saying, “With that, Happy New Year!”

He said“Hello, Happy New Year to you all! All revelers and drinkers, merry to all. Wonderful!”

Hopkins added: “Happy New Years, have a good time. If you have a hangover, remember me. I don't get them anymore because I quit 48 years ago today. I got help and my life changed.”

The One Life star concluded: “I don't envy you having fun out there, but if you need help, there's time. Life is in session. Go for it.”

in the 2020 interview with The New York TimesHopkins recalled the moment in 1975 when he decided to stop drinking.

He revealed that he woke up in a hotel room in Arizona, but has no idea how he got there.

Hopkins said about Independent“I thought, 'Well, I've got to stop this because I'm going to kill someone or myself.' From that moment on, my life took on a new meaning.

The Silence of the Lambs actor's decision to quit drinking has benefited him greatly.

The icon received his first Oscar in 1991 for his portrayal of serial killer Hannibal Lecter in the film The Silence of the Lambs. Hopkins won his second Oscar in 2021, when he was 83 years old.

He won the award for his portrayal of a father suffering from dementia in The Father, making him the oldest person to win an Oscar.