'Apocalypto' stresses knocked Gibson off wagon

Actor Mel Gibson has stated he blames making his new epic Apocalypto for his fated return to imbibing spirits. director Mel Gibson (C), giving instructions to an actor during the shooting of his latest film 'Apocalypto', shot in Mayan language in Mexico. EPA/CORTESIA EDITORIAL USE ONLY- NO SALES - NO ARCHIVES

director Mel Gibson (C), giving instructions to an actor during the shooting of his latest film 'Apocalypto', shot in Mayan language in Mexico. EPA/CORTESIA EDITORIAL USE ONLY- NO SALES - NO ARCHIVESGibson was splashed all over news outlets and the internet when he made headlines this summer after a Lost Hills Sheriff's deputy nabbed him on Malibu's Pacific Coast Highway after drinking during the evening.Gibson, interviewed on Spanish news show Aqui Y Ahora on Thursday, revealed his groundbreaking new movie led him back to boozing.The radio host asked if "stress and driving yourself to a limit of knowing what you could do with this film perhaps led you back to drinking," Gibson replied, "Absolutely, I think there's a lot of pressures." Apocalypto reviews are pouring in, and are sharply divided in their take on the violence within the film. Gibson insisted he showed great restraint when it came to the film's ancient Mexican torture scenes.Audiences were left cringing during horrific scenes of human sacrifice and grisly torture.Gibson revealed he stopped short of being too authentic with the bloody scenes - because he feared his audience could not handle the historic violence that existed.He says, "I was actually merciful when it comes to the violence... They used to chop the heads, hands and feet off and sometimes they'd rip out their entrails and quarter them to keep them alive as long as possible." The December-Christmas month release film shows beheadings, hearts being ripped out of chests, and gruesome skinnings.