Michael Douglas has pushed back against a decades-old rumor that he sought treatment for sex addiction, stating the claims are false.

In a recent interview published by The Sunday Times, Douglas, 82, discussed his new memoir, “One Helluva Ride.” During the conversation, journalist Decca Aitkenhead brought up a claim that Douglas had to end relationships with five women before becoming monogamous with Catherine Zeta-Jones, whom he married in 2000.

Douglas clarified that his commitment to monogamy with Zeta-Jones was a mutual decision. "What Catherine said is, if we’re going to continue this, then I want it to be monogamous. And so I therefore, that evening, you know, made some calls to some people I was seeing, and that was that," he told Aitkenhead.

The actor further addressed the sex addiction rumor directly, attributing it to a British tabloid editor. "A British tabloid editor came up with this story, which, thank you very much, here we are talking about at 82," he said. "It happens with the tabloids and, well, I won’t blame your country alone, but you’re probably better known for it than most. It wasn’t true."

British tabloids first alleged in 1992 that Douglas had entered rehab for sex addiction. This followed his admission to the Sierra Tucson clinic in Arizona that same year for alcoholism. Douglas’s memoir reportedly states, “I was never a fucking sex addict.”

Douglas also denied having sex with a large number of women, despite acknowledging past relationships in his memoir. "I don’t know if I slept with so many women … No, not me, no. I was a healthy product of the Sixties. My curiosity is why, of all countries, of all the press that I do, why are the Brits so consumed with the issues of sex?" he asked.

Actors Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas attend the premiere of "Ant-Man" on July 7, 2015, in Hollywood, Calif. David Cannon via Getty Images

Additionally, Douglas rejected the notion that he had to win Zeta-Jones back after a temporary separation in 2013. "What, I won her back? It was a mutual … You know, we had our problems but I love her dearly," he stated. "I mean, I don’t know about your marital status, but marriage is a lot of work, you know. And so, you know, we’re good. We’re in good shape. It’s all I can say."

When asked if Zeta-Jones had read his memoir, Douglas indicated she had not.