Nolte Impresses With Home-Style Counselling Sessions

Reformed hellraiser Nick Nolte is impressing Californian authorities by hosting meetings at his home to help others deal with alcohol and drug problems.

The actor, who tested positive for drugs after being pulled over by police in 2002, checked himself into rehab before he appeared before a judge to answer charges, calling his arrest "a wake-up call".

And he has so impressed sentencing judge LAWRENCE MIRA, Nolte's legal team are confident he'll have a year shaved off his probation period - if he continues to stay clean and help others.

In court on Tuesday (20JUL04), Mira complimented Nolte for doing "extremely well" and being "very pro-active" in his recovery.

Nolte suggests the road to recovery is very simple: "You've just got to face the pain."