Ben Affleck has announced that he has spent a spell in rehab to try and tackle his alcohol addiction. He said that the stint in rehab was the first step in changing his life for the better. He said it was ‘the first of many steps being taken towards a positive recovery.’ It is not the first time the actor has had problems with alcohol – he spent some time in rehab back in 2001.
He announced the news via his Facebook page and spoke about his primary motivations for getting clean are his children. He said ‘I want to live life to the fullest and be the best father I can be. I want my kids to know there is no shame in getting help when you need it, and to be a source of strength for anyone out there who needs help but is afraid to take the first step.’
Despite splitting from his wife, actress Jennifer Gardiner, back in 2015, he has credited her for helping him through this difficult period. Ben knows only too well the effect that alcohol can have on a family. His own father struggled with the bottle and left the family home when Ben was just 12.
Speaking in an interview back in 2012 Affleck said When one’s parent is an alcoholic, it’s hard. It was a little scary and trying, but then he got sober when I was twentysomething, and he’s been sober ever since.’