In August, Ben Affleck entered rehab for the third time, following an intervention by his estranged wife, Jennifer Garner, and a sobriety coach.
He has now completed his inpatient treatment.
Now, he is finally breaking his silence for the first time since beginning his latest stint in rehab.
Taking to Instagram on Thursday, Ben Affleck penned a serious message for his fans and followers.
“This week,” he begins. “I completed a 40-day stay at a treatment center for alcohol addiction.”
“And,” he continues, he will “remain in outpatient care.”
That is good. Staying in rehab helps with sobering up and getitng support. The real test is when you return to the real world.
“The support I have received from my family, colleagues, and fans means more to me than I can say,” Affleck writes.
“It’s given me the strength and support,” he says, when he needed it most.
He writes about how empowering it is “to speak about my illness with others.”
Sometimes, the best way that you can help yourself is by doing your best to help others.
“Battling any addiction is a lifelong and difficult struggle,” he affirms.
If a single stint in rehab could simply cure an addiction, well, the world would be a different place.
“Because of that,” Affleck explains. “No one is never really in or out of treatment.”
Sobriety becomes part of your life on a permanent basis. You can never let down your guard and relax, unfortunately.
“It is a full-time commitment,” he adds.
What matters to him is that he remain motivated and keep his eye on the prize.
“I am fighting for myself and my family,” Affleck writes.
“So many people have reached out on social media and spoken about their own journeys with addiction,” he continues.
Sharing stories of personal struggles, even when those tales include setbacks, and build a powerful sense of commonality and community.
“To those people,” Affleck writes. “I want to say thank you.”
He credits them with lending him emotional support when he was at his most vulnerable.
“Your strength is inspiring and supporting me in ways I didn’t think was possible,” he says.
“It helps,” Affleck admits. “To know I am not alone.”
Addiction is a serious problem for millions of Americans — and for countless millions more. He is far from alone.
“As I’ve had to remind myself, if you have a problem, getting help is a sign of courage,” he continues.
It is important, he notes, that asking for help is perceived as wise and brave, “not weakness or failure.”
He is absolutely right. If society shames people for seeking help, no one can ever receive treatment.
It’s a real relief that Affleck is taking this seriously now that he has completed his stint in rehab.
People who struggle with addiciton can sometimes convince themselves that it’s in the past, only to relapse the moment that their lives experience setbacks.
No one wants that for Ben Affleck. Least of all Ben Affleck himself.
By sharing his journey with fans in an open message like this, perhaps he will feel that he has a larger support network this time around.
We hope so.
