Chaske Spencer, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, is famous for starring in Twilight but substance abuse nearly ended his acting career.

Spencer started drinking at a young age while living on the Fort Peck Reservation. He said he grew up in a dysfunctional home.

"There was mental abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse. I thought that was normal for a long time, and it is on a reservation," Spencer told students at the University of Illinois, The Daily Illini reported.

After moving to New York City, his habits got worse. He became addicted to heroin, lost his money and decided to make a change by going into rehab.

"I just woke up and I had enough,” Spencer said, the paper reported. “The other option is death.”

Spencer cleaned up and almost gave up acting before landing the role as a wolf in the popular Twilight series.

Get the Story:
Twilight star shares his story of struggle with substance abuse (The Daily Illini 11/5)

Related Stories:
Twilight' actor, Oglala Sioux, vows to use fame for good causes (7/7)