Anthony Hopkins has marked 45 years of sobriety with a message of hope on social media, urging people who are facing challenges in their lives to "keep fighting".
The early years of the 82-year-old Oscar winner's career were blighted by alcoholism. He gave up drinking after talking with a woman from Alcoholics Anonymous in December 1975.
With gratitude, I celebrate 45 years of sobriety. pic.twitter.com/fxzMRGlI4m
— Anthony Hopkins (@AnthonyHopkins) December 29, 2020
While acknowledging that 2020 had been a year "full of grief and sadness for many, many people", Hopkins also offered a message of hope on Twitter.
"Forty-five years ago today, I had a wake-up call," he said. "I was heading for disaster, I was drinking myself to death. I'm not preachy, but I got a message, a little thought that said, 'Do you want to live or die?' And I said, 'I want to live' and suddenly the relief came. And my life has been amazing.
"I have my off days and sometimes little bits of doubt and all that but, all in all, I say, 'Hang in there'.
"Today is the tomorrow you were so worried about yesterday. You young people, don't give up, just keep in there, just keep fighting. Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid. That sustained me through my life."
"Happy New Year - this is going to be the best year," he added.
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