Ben Affleck Emphasizes That He Did Not Blame Jennifer Garner for His Alcoholism

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Actor Ben Affleck recently spoke out about the misinterpretation of his comments on alcoholism and divorce to his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he explained that his statements were taken out of context and twisted for the sake of clickbait.

Deliberately Mischaracterized Comments

Affleck had previously discussed his struggle with alcoholism in a 2021 interview with journalist Howard Stern, in which he stated that he would still drink if he had remained married to Garner.

However, he clarified to The Hollywood Reporter that he was not blaming his ex-wife for his addiction. "The idea that I was blaming my wife for my drinking. To be clear, my behavior is my responsibility entirely," Affleck said. "I was trying to say, 'Hey, look, I was drinking too much, and the less happy you become, whether it's your job, your marriage, it's just that as your life becomes more difficult, if you're doing things to fill a hole that aren't healthy, you're going to start doing more of those things.'

" Affleck went on to explain that his comments were meant to express the sadness of divorce and the difficult decision of how much effort to put into a failing marriage. He expressed frustration that the New York Post had deliberately mischaracterized his words for clickbait, and that his attempts to clarify his position had been ignored.

In his own words, "everyone else then picked it up, and it didn't matter how many times I said, 'I do not feel this way. I'm telling you, I don't blame my ex-wife for my alcoholism.' "

Advice from Jennifer Lopez

Affleck has since moved on to a new marriage with Jennifer Lopez, whom he wed in July 2022.

He revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that Lopez encourages him to "loosen up" and be himself, despite the serious impression he sometimes gives. "She loves me. She's looking out for me. She's trying to help me," Affleck said of his wife.

"So it's like, maybe I ought to fucking listen to her."

Clarifying His Position

Affleck and Garner were married from 2005 to 2018 and have three children together. Despite the difficulties of their divorce, Affleck has made it clear that he would never want his children to speak ill of their mother.

"I don't blame Jen for anything," Affleck reiterated to The Hollywood Reporter. "And I don't think our children should ever hear me say anything different."