Ben Affleck, Who battled Alcohol Addiction, Quit Smoking Because of His Ex-wife Jennifer Garner
The world is well aware of Ben Affleck’s struggles with alcohol and smoking addiction. Affleck is now walking soberly after overcoming his alcoholism. The actor has been to rehab thrice to overcome his alcohol addiction. When Affleck was trying to get sober again in 2017, his ex-wife Jennifer Garner was there to help him get through the tough times.
Before Jennifer Lopez re-entered Affleck’s life, Garner was the main motivator for the 50-year-old actor to quit smoking and alcohol. The actor had decided to quit smoking and drinking to make their marriage work.
Jennifer Garner drove Ben Affleck to the rehab facility in 2018
Before their divorce, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner were each other’s support systems, and they were both ready to work things out. The couple announced their split in 2015 and were attempting to co-parent their children. When Affleck needed help again with his alcoholism, it was Garner who encouraged him to go to rehab and kick the habit of drinking. In 2017 he went to rehab for the second time, the first time was in 2001. In a Facebook post, Affleck wrote,
“I have completed treatment for alcohol addiction; something I’ve dealt with in the past and will continue to confront. “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.”
He further added,
“I’m lucky to have the love of my family and friends, including my co-parent, Jen, who has supported me and cared for our kids as I’ve done the work I set out to do. This was the first of many steps being taken towards a positive recovery.”
In 2018, Affleck struggled with alcohol addiction once again, and his ex-wife Garner encouraged him to seek help and enter rehab again. The Yes Day actress was the one who drove Affleck to rehab for the third time.
Jennifer Garner explained to their Kids that Ben Affleck is sick and needed help
Garner, like a good co-parent, positively explained to their three children what was happening to their father. She made certain that the children did not have a negative impression of Affleck. An inside source said,
“There are no secrets, and Jen is great at explaining what’s going on in age-appropriate ways. She tells them Ben is sick and needs doctors. What she ultimately cares about is his sobriety and whether she can rely on him to co-parent. She is trying to keep the father of her children alive.”
After spending 40 days in rehab for alcohol addiction treatment, the Gone Girl actor’s divorce from his wife Garner was finalized on October 5, 2018. Affleck and Garner both wanted their marriage to work, but according to reports, Affleck’s constant addiction to alcohol was one of the main reasons Garner decided to divorce. But she helped The Way Back actor to quit alcohol and supported him during his worst time.
Ben Affleck says he felt trapped in his marriage with Jennifer Garner
In an interview, the Argo actor talked about his battle with alcoholism and how his marriage with Garner fell apart because of it. He also mentioned that he regrets parting ways with his ex-wife. Affleck said,
“Shame is really toxic. There is no positive byproduct of shame. It’s just stewing in a toxic, hideous feeling of low self-worth and self-loathing. What happened was that I started drinking more and more when my marriage was falling apart. This was in 2015 and 2016. My drinking, of course, created more marital problems.”
Affleck in another statement also said that if he hadn’t divorced his ex-wife, he would still be drinking, because he felt trapped in his marriage with Garner. Many Garner fans were upset by Affleck’s statement because they believed she was the one who helped him when he was battling alcoholism.
Source: PEOPLE
