Mickey Rourke says a priest saved his life.
US actor Mickey Rourke. Mickey, 57, says his descent into drugs and alcohol was triggered by his abusive stepfather. EPA/FRANTZESCO KANGARIS .
The 'Wrestler' star, who has battled alcohol and drug abuse, was on the verge of committing suicide when he turned to the Catholic Church for help.
He reveals in PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk's new book 'One Can Make a Difference: How Simple Actions Can Change the World': "One day I looked in the mirror and I saw myself the way others saw me. I saw the armour and I scared the f**k out of myself.
"I did see a priest for a while, a great one who stopped me from blowing my brains out. We'd go in the basement, he'd pour me a glass of wine, we'd smoke cigarettes, and then we'd pray. But I needed a shrink too, so I forced myself to go. I had to learn not to let people push my buttons, find out what was triggering all this rage, and stop throwing things away. I've barely missed a therapy session in over a decade, and that takes willpower."
Mickey, 57, says his descent into drugs and alcohol was triggered by his abusive stepfather.
The Oscar-winning actor has also blamed his violent temper and his foray into boxing on the beatings he received when he was growing up.
He explained: "My stepfather used to crack my head just because he felt like it. He was physically abusive to my mother. I hated the f***er for hurting her, for making her afraid. For years, I wanted nothing more than to take him down.
"When I was an adult, I would fight everywhere, anywhere, for anything, I think it was related to my stepfather. I was drinking and taking drugs. I was angry and crazy and ashamed. I'd been kicked around a lot, so I figured the way to fix this was to lash out."
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