Anthony Hopkins Recounted His 'Wild' Days

Sir Anthony Hopkins empathizes with troubled stars like Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan - because he was wild in his youth. The Oscar-winning star, who battled alcoholism before becoming teetotal in 1975, is reminded of his own turbulent past when he sees young stars livingto excess and checking into rehab.

Hopkins, 69, said: "When I was younger, at the height of my really self-destructive behavior, I went through a period where I drank too much and the rest of it. I see young successful kids now freak out and I suppose I was like that. The turning point was coming to California and the realization that I had a problem with the old barleycorn and that I could get into a lot of trouble."

The screen legend insists his life dramatically changed for the better after he stopped drinking. He added: "I thought, 'I don't want to go around being depressed for the rest of my life. 'So I stopped and my life changed gradually."

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