Actor Anthony Hopkins called on his followers to celebrate themselves as he reflected on 47 years of sobriety in a heartfelt Instagram video on Thursday. (You can watch the clip below.)

The actor, known for his Oscar -winning roles in The Silence of the Lambs and The Father, has been candid about his struggle with alcoholism in the past . He went to social media to remind his fans to be kind to themselves and be proud of themselves for who they are.

This is a message not meant to be heavy, but I hope helpful. I am a recovering alcoholic. And to you out there, I know there are people struggling, said Hopkins, who turned 85 on Saturday.

In this day and age of cancel and hatred and non-compromise, children being bullied, I say to this: Be kind to yourself, be kind. Stay out of the circle of toxicity with people if they offend you. Live your life, be proud of your life.

Hopkins added that one day he had to acknowledge that there was something really wrong with him after he found himself in a desperate situation where he believed he didnt have long to live.

I didnt realize that it was a kind of condition mental, physical, emotional condition called alcoholism, or addiction, Hopkins said.

Im not an expert on drugs, Im not an expert on anything, he went on. I know nothing. Except I have found a life where no one bullies me.