Profiles Of Addiction Recovery | Anthony Hopkins

Welsh actor, director, and producer Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins is considered by many to be one of the finest actors alive today. 

Perhaps best known for his leading role in the Silence of the Lambs film series, Hopkins has won two Academy Awards, four BAFTAs, two Primetime Emmy Awards, an Olivier Award, and was also knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1993 for his services to British drama.

However, alongside all of these remarkable accolades, the prolific performer recently went out of his way to publicly celebrate the anniversary of another remarkable achievement: 47 years of sobriety as a recovering alcoholic.

47 Years & Counting

A few days before New Years Eve, 2022, the 85-year-old Hopkins took to Instagram with a video message to celebrate both the dawn of a new year and the anniversary of the day on which he gave up drinking nearly fifty years before.

Given the still lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the high levels of polarization, anxiety, depression, and tragedy let loose in the world, Hopkins sought to address those who are struggling, especially young people, and to emphasize the importance of self-love and compassion.

Early Life & Career

Born in Port Talbot in the United Kingdom on the 31st of December, 1937, the Silence of the Lambs star had a troubled working-class upbringing. 

While he would not be diagnosed until many years later, Hopkins struggled with high-functioning Aspersers syndrome.

After moving to London, his career would be highly successful. However, for the next fifteen years, Hopkins was extremely turbulent and marred by feelings of guilt and shame over his rising fame.

Reflections On Drinking

According to Hopkins, speaking to students in 2018, “…that’s what you do in theatre, you drink. But I was very difficult to work with, as well, because I was usually hungover.”

He would go on to reflect, “I still cannot believe that my life is what it is because I should have died in Wales, drunk or something like that,” and “[I was] disgusted, busted and not to be trusted” while drinking. 

Once, while on set for a production of King Lear, he was mistaken for a homeless man and on more than one occasion was so publicly intoxicated he had no idea where he was.

Alcohol Recovery

Hopkins knew something had to change when he was in a desperate situation and realized he suffered from a mental condition known as addiction or alcoholism. 

But it wasn’t until he had a conversation with a woman at a meeting of the 12-step group Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) that something clicked inside him. The woman asked Hopkins why he didn’t trust in God. 

Hopkins, in response, made a “quantum leap” and asked for help, a simple choice that, according to the actor, made it so that his urge to drink “was never to return.”

Recovery Is Possible

Hopkins would go on to join AA and has been an outspoken advocate of support groups and treatment programs for those going through the same struggles he too faced in his life.

In his own words of advice, “talk to someone, talk to someone you respect, whether it’s a counselor or to go to a 12-step program… There are 12-step programs all over the world. Every city, every small city, every community, 12-step programs that can help you identify what you are. It doesn’t cost a thing, but it will give you a whole new life.”

At Ark Behavioral Health, we’re proud to aid and support the recovery of people from all walks of life from all across America. If you or a loved one struggle with drug or alcohol addiction, please reach out to our team today.