On Tuesday, the 46-year-old actor appeared on the Today Show to promote the star-studded action film Triple Frontier. However, his new movie wasn’t the only thing that he spoke about.
Despite how difficult it might be, Ben Affleck is open to talking about his experience with alcoholism. Ben explained that it “doesn’t really bother” him to speak publicly about the personal matter.
“It’s part of my life. It’s something that I deal with. It doesn’t have to sort of subsume my whole identity and be everything, but it’s something that you have to work at,” he said. “We encounter these kinds of hurdles, and we have to deal with them.”
“I Am Fighting for Myself and My Family”
In September of 2018, Ben entered rehab for the third time to seek treatment for his alcohol addiction. Previously, he went to treatment in 2001 and 2017.
Affleck revealed in March 2017 that he had completed treatment for alcoholism in order to be “the best father I can be,” but his history with addiction goes back much further. In fact, his experience with alcoholism began as a child, watching his own father, Timothy, battle the disease.
Following his 40-day stay in treatment this last year, he later elaborated on the decision to be transparent about his issues.
“I feel like I had a problem and I really want to address it, and I take some pride it that … bits about yourself, your life, your family, and you know people – we encounter these kinds of hurdles and we have to deal with them,” said Affleck. “It’s a lifelong and difficult struggle,” noting, “it’s a full-time commitment. I am fighting for myself and my family.”
“I Hope I Can Offer An Example”
Throughout the recovery process, Ben has been supported by his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner who was photographed driving the actor to the treatment facility. Affleck reports that Garner – whom he shares children Violet, 13, Seraphina, 10, and Samuel, 7 – remain a constant source of support.
I applaud you. I am a retired church musician. You are a famous actor. But we share the disease. You and I are brothers. It has been over ten years for me but we are as close as one drink away from the pain. You hid it well. I hid it well. You, I, and all of the recovering alcoholics, as well as those not blessed as of yet, are all brothers and sisters in our addiction.
And we have so many benefits…one being watching one of your movies at night and remembering it the next morning. ?
Thank you Ben for sharing.
Ben,
thank you so much for your willingness to share your struggles publicly. You have such a high platform due to being so successful in your acting career, because of you so many people are going to be educated about addiction. I am the CEO of Dare 2 Be You Recovery in Elizabethton Tennessee, we work with both men and women in all stages of addiction. I applaud your strength and courage, and your willingness to share your struggles. You are absolutely correct reaching out for help does not show weakness, it shows great strength and courage and vulnerability. Again thank you so much for your bravery. Keep fighting and working your program, make your sobriety your priority, and don’t get lazy or think you got this and stop doing what got you sober in the 1st place. Let go n let God ! Remember 1 day at a time and sometimes that turns into 1 minute at a time. My best advice I can give you is work up a prevention plan, so when you’re really struggling you don’t have to think about who to call or what to do to get over your craving, it’s already written down for you. You are in my prayers and thoughts.