Actor Sizemore given drug warning

Sizemore starred in Ridley Scott's Black Hawk Down

Actor Tom Sizemore has been told by a judge to either beat his drug addiction or run the risk of dying from it.

A Los Angeles judge told the 43-year-old actor he was "out of control" during a hearing on Thursday.

Judge Antonio Barretto Jr told the Saving Private Ryan star: "There are two ways for you to go. One is to recover. The other is to die."

The judge allowed Mr Sizemore to remain free on bail, pending sentencing on 24 March for violating probation.

Drug testing

Mr Sizemore faces a maximum sentence of four-and-a-half years for violating probation on a 2003 domestic violence conviction involving his ex-girlfriend, former Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss.

Mr Sizemore could also face two years for a count of possessing methamphetamine, if he declines drug treatment.

Prosecutors said Mr Sizemore, 43, had failed court-imposed drug testing seven times this month, despite living in a drug treatment centre.

Judge Barretto said the actor was "out of control and cannot stop. Meth has consumed any will he may have had to stop".

However, he rejected a prosecution request that Mr Sizemore be taken into custody pending his sentencing date.

Speaking outside the court, Mr Sizemore admitted he had a drug problem.

"I slipped a couple of times, I did," he said.

"I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to make movies. I should never have been in this mess in the first place."