How long has Anthony Hopkins been sober? Silence of the Lambs star reveals moment he knew he was an alcoholic

As per a recent article by People, acclaimed actor Anthony Hopkins recently reflected on the exact moment when he realized that he was an alcoholic.

In December 2024, Hopkins celebrated his 49 years of sobriety by posting a video on Instagram.

“Forty-nine years ago today, I stopped. And I was having such fun. But then I realized I was in big, big trouble because I couldn’t remember anything and I was driving a car drunk out of my skull.”

“Then on that fatal day, I realized I needed help. So I got it,” he continued. "I phoned up a group of people like me — alcoholic. And that was it. Sober. I’ve had more fun these 49 years than ever," read Hopkins post on Instagram.

The recent discussion on recalling his moment of realization about his alcohol addiction took place during the October 25 episode of the New York Times podcast titled The Interview. Hopkins was present on the podcast to discuss his upcoming memoir, We Did OK, Kid.

About Anthony Hopkins' memoir and the interview

During his recent interview with the New York Times podcast named The Interview, The Shining star recalled the exact moment when he realized that he was addicted to alcohol.

“I was drunk and driving my car here in California in a blackout, no clue where I was going, when I realized that I could have killed somebody — or myself, which I didn’t care about. I came to my senses and said to an ex-agent of mine at this party in Beverly Hills, ‘I need help.’ ” Hopkings said on the podcast.

Hopkins further recalled that it was a radio-like, male voice in his head that instructed him that he now does not have any desire to drink.

“The craving to drink was taken from me, or left. Now I don’t have any theories except divinity or that power that we all possess inside us that creates us from birth, life force, whatever it is. It’s a consciousness, I believe. That’s all I know.” said Hopkins

Hopkins reflected on his battles with alcohol, saying that he drank to "nullify that discomfort or whatever it was in me, because it made me feel big," following a "lonely" upbringing and surviving "those bullies."

"You know, booze is terrific because it makes you instantly feel in a different space," Hopkins explained.

"Actors in those days — Peter O’Toole, Richard Burton, all of them — I remember those drinking sessions, thinking: 'This is the life. We’re rebels, we’re outsiders, we can celebrate.' And at the back of the mind is: 'It’ll kill you as well.' Those guys I worked with have all gone."

About Anthony Hopkins

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Born on December 31, 1937, Anthony Hopkins is an accomplished actor who has worked on projects like The Silence of the Lambs, The Remains of the Day, Legends of the Fall, Meet Joe Black, Hannibal, Red Dragon, Amistad, and others. His most iconic role is that of a serial killer in The Silence of the Lambs, which gained him widespread recognition.

Hopkins won a British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Award in 2008 and a Golden Globe Award in 2006 for his lifetime accomplishments. He was knighted in 1993 after being appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1987.

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