Denzel Washington is getting actual about his battle with alcohol, admitting his wine consumption ravaged his physique.

The Oscar-winning actor sat down for a wide-ranging interview with Esquire whereas selling his new flick “Gladiator II” — and, at one level, he went into element about his love for costly wines.

Denzel mentioned it began in earnest in 1999 when he constructed a ten-thousand bottle wine cellar in his home, which solely served to boost his booze consumption.

He mentioned he guzzled $4,000 bottles of wine, however by no means greater than two bottles in a single sitting. He mentioned he phoned a particular liquor retailer in L.A. and ordered two bottles of wine every time, prompting his spouse, Pauletta, to ask why solely two.

Denzel replied that he if he requested extra wine, he would drink extra in the course of the day.

He mentioned he stopped ingesting whereas he was appearing on the units of his movies. He mentioned he would drink for 3 months straight, then sober up and shoot a film.

Denzel mentioned this conduct went on for 15 years and he did “plenty of injury to the physique.”

He mentioned the excellent news is that he by no means obtained strung out on heroin or cocaine, however he confessed to capturing “dope,” though he by no means obtained hooked.

He additionally mentioned December marks 10 years of sobriety, noting, “I haven’t had a thimble’s price since.”