Ben Affleck’s recovery journey is a story of continuous growth and openness. Not one to shy away from discussing his personal struggles, Affleck has been quite upfront about his battles with alcoholism throughout his career. This candidness includes sharing insights into his family background and various stints in rehab.
Affleck’s early life was marked by his parents’ divorce when he was just twelve years old. He revealed in a 2012 interview with Barbara Walters that his father was an alcoholic, a fact he wasn’t aware of as a child. Despite these challenges, his father eventually achieved sobriety, an accomplishment Affleck respects. Read on to learn more about how Ben Affleck took this same journey himself.
Ben Affleck: Alcohol Addiction, Recovery, and Relapse
Ben Affleck, then aged 24, rose to stardom alongside Matt Damon with the 1997 film Good Will Hunting. Around this time, Affleck made a decision to stop drinking. In a 1998 interview, he reflected on his behavior while under the influence, acknowledging the negative impacts it had on himself and others. He admitted to having few inhibitions, making it risky for him to drink.
Following a period of heavy partying in 2001, between his relationships with Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Lopez, Affleck entered a 30-day rehab program for alcohol addiction. His admission to the program at Promises in Malibu was facilitated by his friend, Charlie Sheen.
In 2012, Affleck shared with The Hollywood Reporter his reasons for rehab at 29, stating that he needed to establish boundaries and figure out his life direction. He described it as an important step toward maturity.
Affleck’s marriage to Jennifer Garner in 2004 marked a significant turning point. People close to him noticed a positive change, attributing it to Garner’s influence. The couple, who eventually had three children, parted ways in 2015. Reflecting on his life in a 2017 interview, Affleck acknowledged how fatherhood reshaped his perspective and admitted to making mistakes publicly in his 20s.
In early 2017, Affleck worked with Elizabeth Weaver, a sober coach. Weaver helped him in overcoming alcohol addiction for the sake of his children and improving his relationship with Garner.
At the 2017 Oscars, Affleck, no longer working with Weaver, stayed sober while supporting his brother Casey. He was accompanied by a male sober companion throughout the event.
Affleck announced on Facebook his completion of treatment for alcohol addiction, crediting his family, especially his children, as his motivation. He expressed a desire to be the best father possible and to confront his addiction openly.
In August 2018, Garner took Affleck to a rehab facility in the LA area. Witnesses described her as emotional and concerned. Despite his efforts to stay sober since his last treatment, friends feared a possible relapse. Affleck, aware of what he could lose, remained committed to his recovery and to being a better father and partner.
After a year of maintaining sobriety by August 2019, Ben Affleck experienced another setback. In October 2019, during a Halloween party, he had a relapse. This moment was recorded, showing Affleck struggling to walk as he left the party, visibly under the influence. The next day, Affleck confronted the incident head-on. Speaking to photographers, he acknowledged the misstep, saying, “It happens. It’s a slip, but it won’t throw me off track.“
If you feel that Ben Affleck has slipped up during his recovery journey, keep in mind that addiction is a chronic and relapsing condition. Of those in recovery from alcohol addiction, between 40% and 60% will relapse at least once.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Relapsing Nature of Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol addiction is a complex and chronic condition characterized by its relapsing nature. This means that people struggling with alcoholism may experience periods of recovery followed by lapses or relapses back into drinking. Relapse is considered a part of the recovery process for many people. Rather than signifying failure, many people like Ben Affleck find that relapse enables them to reevaluate and adjust treatment strategies in line with evolving goals.
One of the key factors influencing alcohol addiction is genetics. Research indicates that genetic factors can account for about half of the risk for alcohol use disorder. This genetic predisposition does not guarantee that a person will develop alcoholism, but it significantly increases the risk, especially when combined with environmental factors.
Environmental factors such as family dynamics, exposure to alcohol at a young age, stress, and peer pressure can also play significant roles in the development of alcohol addiction. However, the presence of a family history of alcoholism can make individuals more susceptible to these influences. Ben Affleck suffered in all of these areas, but he is continuing to overcome these obstacles rather than allowing himself to be defined by them.
The chronic nature of alcohol addiction means that long-term treatment and support are often necessary. This can include therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, and ongoing support from family, friends, and support groups. Ben Affleck has taken advantage of all of these and continues to do so.
If you are concerned about alcohol abuse in yourself or a loved one, here’s how you can connect with evidence-based treatment.
Get Treatment for Alcoholism at Gratitude Lodge
Abusing alcohol affects the body and mind, with alcohol addiction leading people to compulsively consume alcohol even in the face of negative outcomes. If you have developed problematic patterns of alcohol consumption, remember that seeking help is a sign of strength not weakness. We can help you address alcohol addiction at Gratitude Lodge.
Our welcoming and inclusive treatment centers are located in Newport Beach and Long Beach, CA. Severe alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening if unsupervised, so start your recovery the right way with supervised medical detox at Gratitude Lodge. Access continuous care and FDA-approved medications to streamline withdrawal and prepare you for ongoing inpatient treatment.
All alcohol addictions are unique, so all treatment programs at Gratitude Lodge reflect this. Take advantage of personalized treatment that may involve any of the following therapies:
- Talk therapies
- MAT (medication-assisted treatment)
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Individual counseling
- Holistic interventions
- Aftercare planning
When you are ready to address alcohol addiction head-on, call 800-994-2184 for immediate assistance. If you are interested in learning more about other celebrities struggles with addiction such as Mac Miller of Heath Ledger, you can learn about that and more in Gratitude Lodge’s blog.
