The 50-year-old director - who tied the knot with actor Aaron Taylor Johnson, 26, in 2012 - revealed she drank in excess when she was married to Jopling, who she divorced in 2008, reported Sunday Times magazine.
"I would drink to blackout most nights. I thought it was because I was a cool British artist, but actually I was quite a mess. I would say I was an alcoholic. I put myself in supremely dangerous situations," Sam said.
However, after battling colon cancer, followed by breast cancer, Sam embraced a healthier lifestyle.
Sam also talked about her second marriage and revealed that it was Aaron who pursued her, when she directed him in the 2009 movie "Nowhere Boy".
Also Read
Asked if they fell in love on set, she said, "I wasn't thinking that way, but we had this intense connection: I could tell by the twitch of an eyelash whether he was focused or not. He was very intense and absolutely mind made-up."
Although she admitted their age gap did cause her to hesitate at first, she added, "But it wasn't long. He is an amazing man. If you saw us together, we're in such sync. We spend every minute of the day together.
Sam and Aaron have daughters Wylda Rae, born in 2010, and Romy Hero, born in 2012, together, while she also has two daughters from her marriage to Jay.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content