Actor Nick Nolte has been charged with driving under the influence of a drug known both as "liquid ecstasy" and a "date rape" substance.

The 61-year-old star was arrested in California in September after police said they had seen him swerving across the road.

Los Angeles authorities filed two misdemeanour charges of driving under the influence of gamma hydroxybutyrate, or GHB, on Wednesday.

Nolte was seen slumped in the back of the police car

Mr Nolte could face six months in jail if convicted.

GHB is known for its euphoric qualities, which has led to its use in nightclubs, but has also been used on "date rapes" because it can cause unconsciousness.

Mr Nolte, who has battled a drink problem for years, was arrested after police stopped his black Mercedes-Benz near his home in Malibu.

The star of films such as Cape Fear and The Prince of Tides was "drooling" and "completely out of it" when he was arrested, police said.

He was taken into custody after failing to complete a breath test and later released on $2,500 (�1,600) bail.

He entered a rehabilitation clinic just days later.

Oscar nominations

He is scheduled to be arraigned in a Los Angeles court on Monday, but is not required to be present at the hearing, a spokeswoman for prosecutors said.

The Nebraska-born actor found fame on the hit TV series Rich Man Poor Man in the 1970s, which landed him an Emmy nomination.

He received Oscar nominations for 1991's The Prince Of Tides, and for Affliction in 1999.

His other film appearances include 48 Hours and its sequel, Another 48 Hours, Cape Fear, Simpatico and The Thin Red Line.

He will be seen next year in Hulk, based on The Incredible Hulk character, and he recently attended the Toronto Film Festival to promote his latest film, The Good Thief.