‘I started to drink more and more and more’: Ben Affleck Broke Silence on Crippling Alcoholism, How Addiction Killed His Grandma, Destroyed His Dad

Ben Affleck
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We often end up forgetting that behind all the glamour, wealth, and fame, celebrities too, are just ordinary people like the rest of us. And just because they are successful and popular, doesn’t mean they are exempt from their own struggles.

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Even with all their charm and stardom, there is always a veil separating the lives of celebrities, behind which lay plights of their own.

Ben Affleck posing for the cameras.
Ben Affleck posing for the cameras.

A couple of years ago, Ben Affleck had opened up about something similar and talked about the troubles he’d been facing in his own personal life.

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Ben Affleck addressed his struggle with alcoholism

The actor who played the fan-favorite character of Batman in various DC movies opened up about the difficulties and hindrances he’d been forced to face in his life.

Ben Affleck briefly addressed the downward spiral he’d fallen into, wherein he’d also resorted to alcohol abuse. “I started to drink more and more and more”, he said as he mentioned how tough it was for him to come to terms with the reality of his abuse. “It was really hard for me to accept that that meant I was an alcoholic.” 

Also read: Despite Jennifer Lopez Absolutely Hating Ben Affleck’s Smoking Addiction, Ben Affleck Was Spotted Smoking While Visiting JLo’s $28 Million Residence

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Ben Affleck talks about addiction
Ben Affleck opens up about battling alcoholism

“I was like I can just go back. I was fine before”, he remarked, referring to his denial about the situation. “I just need to slow down. I’m okay, you know. This isn’t me.”

The Gone Girl star had started to drink pretty heavily through this phase, to the point where he would indulge in alcohol every day. “I come home from work and I start to drink and I just sit there and drink till I don’t pass out on the couch.” 

Also read: ‘Real issues have started to emerge’: Jennifer Lopez in Tears as ‘Dreamy’ Marriage With Ben Affleck Reportedly Falling Apart Due to Hectic Schedules, Their Kids Feeling Unsettled

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Ben Affleck’s talked about the self-destructive streak in his family history

Amidst problems of alcohol abuse, the Deep Water star was also going through depressive episodes and uncertainties in his married life.

Affleck also addressed his family history and the perpetual evidence of addiction amongst his close relatives. He recalled how his father’s drinking every day had become normal for him. “That was just life”, he stated. “And as that got worse…that was really, really painful. And I always said that I’m never gonna do that.” 

Ben Affleck in one of his iconic poses.
Ben Affleck

The 50-year-old actor’s grandmother, as well as his aunt, had also batted with addiction in their early lives.

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“I wish he had been sober during those formative years”, Affleck said in reference to his father, “but what he’s taught me is how important it is for me to be sober now, during these formative years for my kids.” 

Even though his mother had been the greatest support during those times of hardship, it was still not easy for Affleck to deal with everything, considering his family had more or less “fallen apart.” 

Also read: “JLo Pretended to be the Perfect wife”: Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Are Reportedly Struggling To Avoid Another Divorce Months After Their Wedding

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Ben Affleck didn’t want his children to pay for his mistakes

He also talked about his fears of letting his burdens fall upon his kids. “I really don’t want my children to pay for my sins. Or to be afraid of me, which is one of the hard parts of being an alcoholic.” 

Ben Affleck and his family
Ben Affleck with his children

But after everything that took place, he finally got his “wake-up call” about becoming the father figure in the lives of his children that he really wanted to be.

Ben Affleck’s journey toward healing had been a rocky, and extremely complicated one, with his divorce, his rehab treatments, and his own demons that he had to fight. But if anything, he has proved that irrespective of how hard it is to break and get out of the generational cycle of trauma, it is never impossible.

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Also read: Ben Affleck Fans Congratulate Him on 50th Birthday, Request He Don the Batsuit and Return to DCEU as Batfleck

Source: Youtube 

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Written by Khushi Shah

Articles Published: 715

With a prolific knowledge of everything pop culture and a strong penchant for writing, Khushi has penned over 600 articles during her time as an author at FandomWire.
An abnormal psychology student and an avid reader of dark fiction, her most trusted soldiers are coffee and a good book.