Ben Affleck Opens Up About His Alcohol Addiction and Journey to Sobriety
At the end of February, Ben Affleck made a guest appearance on Good Morning America, where he got real and raw about his past — Ben Affleck and his alcohol addiction struggles.
Early in his career, the Oscar Award-winning star worked hard but partied even harder without shying away from the media.
His frequent public displays of inebriation left many fans, friends, and family wondering if something deeper was going on behind the scenes.
The Batman star checked into rehab for the first time in 2001, followed by a quick stint in 2017 and again in 2018.
His journey to sobriety has been nothing short of challenging, but Affleck persisted through even the most difficult of relapses.
Immediate Placement in Alcohol Rehab
Unfortunately, after celebrating a year of sobriety, the Good Will Hunting actor experienced another setback in October 2019.
Now, Affleck is taking things one step at a time, and placing his focus on being the best father to his children and getting his career back on track.
Ben Affleck and His Alcohol Addiction
Table of Contents
While reflecting on his past struggles with addiction, Affleck explained that his dangerous relationship with alcohol could be traced back to his family history and early years growing up in a divorced household.
Affleck’s father abused alcohol quite frequently during his and his brother’s younger years. However, it wasn’t until the actor was 19 that his father finally admitted his problem and got the treatment he needed to get sober. While it was easy for Affleck to identify the problems of alcoholism and mental illness within his family, it wasn’t nearly as easy to diagnose himself and recognize his own alcoholic behaviors.
Unfortunately, there’s a high price to pay when you’re a famous Hollywood actor, and a lack of privacy is one of them. Of course, Ben Affleck knows all too well about this since most of his drug and alcohol addiction struggles were constantly being advertised on the cover of tabloid magazines.
In 2001, the Justice League actor enrolled in his first 30-day treatment program in Malibu, California, after a long period of partying too much and having a severe lack of boundaries.
Although Affleck continued to work the steps, the pressures of Hollywood jeopardized his sobriety on many different occasions.
Learn More About Ben Affleck and His Alcohol Addiction & Sobriety Journey
In 2015 and 2016, Affleck’s marriage was falling apart, and his drinking habits worsened, which only contributed to more marital problems. By the time Affleck started filming 2017’s Justice League, his drinking was completely out of control — contributing to his second trip to rehab that same year. His third trip to rehab came a year later in 2018 after his now ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, held an intervention with the help of a sober coach.
After completing a 40-day program, Affleck was back on the mend. He stated:
Battling any addiction is a lifelong and difficult struggle. Because of that, one is never really in or out of treatment. It is a full-time commitment. I am fighting for myself and my family. As I’ve had to remind myself, if you have a problem, getting help is a sign of courage, not weakness or failure. With acceptance and humility, I continue to avail myself with the help of so many people, and I am grateful to all those who are there for me. I hope down the road I can offer an example to others who are struggling.
This is an important message for everyone who is struggling with addiction and a reminder that no one is immune to the effects of substance abuse.
24-Hour Alcohol Rehab Hotline for Those Struggling with Alcoholism
Unfortunately, Affleck hit another bump in his sobriety in October 2019. The Good Will Hunting star relapsed while attending a UNICEF Masquerade Ball. Unsurprisingly, TMZ caught the moment on camera and filmed Affleck intoxicated and falling down the street outside of the party. This public revelation came only a few hours after he shared a heartwarming Instagram post celebrating his recovery.
Now, Affleck is back on the wagon and working on what’s most important to him: His recovery and his family.
Moving Onward and Upward
In 2020, Affleck revealed that he would be staring in The Way Back, a film about a former basketball star (Affleck) who returns as a coach for his alma mater while struggling with alcoholism. While this all seems like it would hit too close to home, Affleck explained that he actually had the opposite experience. In fact, this role played a very important part for Ben Affleck and his alcohol addiction and journey to recovery. He said:
“One of the beautiful things about a movie that allows for expression of genuine feeling, real people conquering real problems that at the end of the day feel like a rich fullness, I guess in kind of a cathartic sense.”
A Sober Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez Get Married in Vegas
Along with The Way Back, Affleck has a few other films in the works and is putting a heavy focus on his career and on his family. Affleck remains to be very open about his relapses and his continuous sobriety journey. Since his sobriety slip in 2019, Affleck is proudly sober and taking each day as it comes.
It is hard to believe that had Ben still been drinking, he would have gotten married to Jennifer Lopez in the Summer of 2022. Their rekindled relationship has been made possible largely through a renewed commitment to sobriety for him, as well as the many changes he has made in his recovery.
While marrying JLo cannot be a recovery goal for all, it certainly does serve as an inspiring story for those seeking recovery to see how Affleck’s struggle with alcoholism has evolved over time. Accepting the destructive nature of his relationship with alcohol and embracing recovery, despite its obstacles, have made a world of difference for Mr. Affleck.
Free Insurance Verification for Alcoholism Treatment
Find Your Own Recovery Story Here
With nearly 20 million Americans struggling with substance abuse each year, data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse shows that relapse rates are usually between 40% to 60%.
While it’s a seemingly high statistic, it’s important to remember that relapse is a part of recovery.
Addiction is not a curable disease; it’s one that needs to be managed over time.
And in that time, relapses happen simply because life happens.
What’s important is having the tools to get you through that relapse and back on track for recovery.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, call the professionals at Emerald Isle Health & Recovery.
We are here to help you get a fresh start in life with a personalized addiction treatment plan. Reach out today for more information and to start (or renew) your recovery journey now!
