From the Iron Man star, Robert Downey Jr., to the Academy Award winner, Bradley Cooper, Hollywood has always been plagued by stories of celebrities struggling with substance use. Some came out clean, while others weren’t as fortunate and saw their careers fall apart.
According to a study done by Just, J.M., Bleckwenn, M., Schnakenberg, R., Skatulla, P., & Weckbecker, K. (2016), over 23% of actors and 38% of musicians suffer from substance use disorders (SUD) in the entertainment industry. If you’ve been following Hollywood figures for a while, you’ve likely witnessed one or two of your screen heroes spiral into substance abuse.
The 52-year-old Oscar-winning actor and director, Ben Affleck, has always been vocal about his struggle with alcohol use. The Argo star’s history with alcohol is perhaps one of the most documented cases of addiction in pop culture, following him for much of his career.
If you’re a fan of the Good Will Hunting actor, here’s a recap of his long battle with alcohol use disorder (AUD), a mental health issue that goes back to his childhood, and how Affleck reclaimed his life from the devastating affliction.
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Behind Ben Affleck’s Fall Into Alcoholism
Benjamin Géza Affleck-Boldt came to prominence after starring in the multi-award-winning film Good Will Hunting (1997), one he co-wrote and co-directed with his best friend, the Jason Bourne actor Matt Damon.
His work and performance in the Best Original Screenplay film catapulted Affleck into stardom, kickstarting a massively successful 44-year career. However, the immense fame also brought to light his painful struggles.
In an interview in 1998, shortly after their big break, Affleck, who was then 25, divulged having ongoing issues with alcohol misuse and his desire to recover.
“I just wanted to stop. I started regretting some things I did when I was drunk,” Affleck told a reporter. “I have almost no inhibitions, so it’s dangerous for me,” the actor confessed, reflecting on his problematic behavior when under alcohol’s influence.
A Troubled Childhood
Similar to many who fell victim to substance abuse, Affleck’s family history has had a lot to do with his developing drinking problems. Addiction runs in families, and while growing up in Cambridge, Massachusetts, he watched his father, Timothy, succumb to alcohol abuse.
“[My father] was drunk every day and that was just life,” the The Accountant actor revealed in one interview. “I wish he had been sober during those formative years,” he added.
And while Timothy would later get sober, the effects of his severe alcoholism significantly hurt his marriage to Christopher Anne, Affleck’s mother. In 1984, when Affleck was 12, the couple decided to part ways.
“There’s a lot of alcoholism and mental illness in my family,” the Gone Girl actor shared with The New York Times. “The legacy of that is quite powerful and sometimes hard to shake,” he concluded.
Affleck’s paternal grandmother and uncle also suffered from the same mental health affliction. Both relatives died by suicide, with AUD playing a significant role.
Affleck wrestled with depression for years, rooted in his family’s tragic relationship with alcohol and drugs. And while he promised never to tread the same path, the actor soon found himself facing the same demons that haunted his loved ones.
Failing Marriages
Excessive alcohol consumption has been a major cause of divorce in the US. According to “Alcohol consumption and divorce rates in the United States“, individuals with long-term alcoholism issues have a higher chance of experiencing marital troubles than those without.
Affleck has gone through two divorces. He first met Jennifer Garner in 2000 while filming Pearl Harbor. They dated in 2003 and eventually married in 2005. But what started as a joyful marriage eventually turned into a difficult chapter for both stars.
Garner initially became a positive influence on the Daredevil star. She was a steady presence, guiding and supporting Affleck in his fight with substance use.
However, sometime during their seemingly ideal marriage, Affleck started to drink more. Finally, after nine years together, Affleck and Garner decided to call it quits. The former couple has three children together.
In a later appearance on The Howard Stern Showpodcast,the The Way Back lead star opened up about his difficulties while married to the 13 Going 30 actress. Affleck was unhappy, which pushed him further toward alcohol use.
“It’s part of why I started drinking…because I was trapped,” Affleck said, recalling his former marriage. “I was like ‘I can’t leave ’cause of my kids, but I’m not happy, what do I do?’ What I did was drink a bottle of Scotch and fall asleep on the couch, which turned out not to be the solution,” he told People in 2021.
Affleck and Garner finalized their divorce in 2018. The Deep Water actor then remarried an old flame, Jennifer Lopez, in 2022 before splitting three years later.
Ben Affleck’s Journey to Conquering Alcohol Addiction
“It took me a long time to fundamentally, deeply, without a hint of doubt, admit to myself that I am an alcoholic,” the Runner producer truthfully disclosed in an interview.
Like millions of people who suffer from drug addiction, denial became a massive stumbling block for the Batman actor’s addiction recovery. His sobriety journey has been a long and painful process of self-reflection and professional guidance.
First Steps Toward Sobriety
The Air actor tried seeking professional help for the first time in 2001. With his friends and loved ones’ support, Affleck enrolled in an AUD treatment program in Malibu, California. This was after Affleck was reported to be “hard partying” with Gwyneth Paltrow.
After the news of Affleck’s rehab, his then-publicist, David Pollick, released a statement confirming the actor’s first go at getting clean.
“I went to rehab for being 29 and partying too much and not having a lot of boundaries and to clear my head and try to get some idea of who I wanted to be,” the Justice League icon told The Hollywood Reporter in 2012.
His 30-day rehabilitation was a success, and Affleck overcame his alcohol dependence—or at least for a while. He was clean for eight long years before eventually veering off and relapsing in 2017.
Sitting with ABC News’ Diane Sawyer, Affleck recalled thinking: “You know, I wanna just drink like a normal person. And I wanna have wine at dinner.” Unfortunately, what appeared to be an innocent thought at the time became the trigger for him to slide back into alcoholism.
Coming Back Stronger From Rock Bottom
Unlike his first stint with rehab, Affleck opted to face his addiction quietly and away from the public eye. Still, news of his relapse quickly spread after the actor was seen walking in Los Angeles with his sober coach, Elizabeth Weaver.
By March of 2017, Affleck announced the completion of his addiction treatment on social media. “I want to live life to the fullest and be the best father I can be,” the father of three wrote in a post.
However, his conviction didn’t last as long this time, and the actor had to reenter rehab. Accompanied by his estranged ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, Affleck took his third shot at recovery in 2018.
“Relapse is embarrassing,” the Live By Night producer admitted. “I wish it didn’t happen. I really wish it wasn’t on the internet for my kids to see,” he added.
Is Ben Affleck Sober Now?
“If you have a problem, getting help is a sign of courage, not weakness or failure,” is what the Good Will Hunting actor had to say to those who share the same burden.
Despite the massive spotlight of a celebrity life, Ben Affleck has never been afraid to ask for help. And while it took decades, the beloved actor finally found sobriety and broke free from the vicious cycle of alcohol addiction.
The Batman actor we came to know and love continues to work on himself and has been sober for five years. This was revealed in his recent talk with GQ, where Affleck also shared that he would have preferred to keep his sobriety private.
Final Thoughts: Seeking Help As the First Step to Recovery
No one is completely invulnerable to substance use disorders and mental health issues. Even celebrities and stars that we all look up to can fall prey to alcohol and drugs, and the shame associated with them.
Don’t let denial or shame hinder your recovery. If you or any of your loved ones suffer from alcohol misuse or drug abuse, don’t hesitate to seek help. Admitting you need professional help isn’t a weakness but a sign of strength.
Reach out to the Illinois Recovery Center and conquer addiction today!
