United Kingdom, May 12 -- Cameron Mathison struggled with his sobriety after losing his home in the California wildfires.

The 55-year-old 'General Hospital' actor - who split from his wife Vanessa, the mother of his adult children Lucas and Leila, last July - was left devastated after his house burned down in January and he's now confessed he felt "the pull" of alcohol as he dealt with the aftermath despite being clean for two decades.

Speaking to PEOPLE, he explained: "I have to say, the pull and the thoughts are definitely stronger these last four months - more so than the last 20, 21 years of my life.

""For me, it all comes down to serenity, peace of mind. And so when I feel that craving, that want, that need, that trying to satisfy...