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'My behavior is my responsibility entirely': Ben Affleck addresses 'painful' rumors blaming ex-wife Jennifer Garner for his alcoholism

Ben Affleck felt 'trapped' in his marriage and talked about the 'painful' rumors that he had blamed Jennifer Garner for his alcoholism

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Ben Affleck clarified his feelings towards his ex-wife Jennifer Garner and reiterated his claim that she is not to blame for his alcoholism. In a 2021 interview with Howard Stern, Ben Affleck said he felt "trapped" in his marriage and talked about the "painful" rumors that he had blamed his ex-wife Jennifer Garner for his alcoholism. He is now finally clearing up the confusion around Jennifer and his alcoholism in a new interview, and he accepts full responsibility.

The 50-year-old actor, writer, and director reflected on the Howard Stern interview in which he discussed his battles with addiction and the breakdown of his marriage in a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter published on Thursday, March 16. The 'Argo' director claimed that Stern's interview with him left the impression in the minds of the general public that "I was blaming [Jennifer] for my drinking," as per Us Weekly.

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Why is Ben Affleck clearing the air now?

Affleck said in the original Stern interview that "Part of why I started drinking was because I was trapped," which gave the impression to viewers and even some of his ex-wife Jennifer Garner's acquaintances that he was blaming his drinking issues on her. Affleck explained that in the earlier interview, he had been attempting to make a "sad" point. The 'Armageddon' actor said the outcry following the Stern interview was difficult and emphasized that many people's interpretations were "actually the opposite of what I meant," reports Daily Mail.

Affleck brought up the matter after praising his 53-year-old wife Jennifer Lopez for her unparalleled skill in interviews and social media. "I view these things as land mines, where if you say one wrong thing, your career might be over," he said in The Hollywood Reporter interview. "I had a really painful experience where I did an interview where I was really vulnerable, and the entire pickup was something that was not only not right, it was actually the opposite of what I meant," Affleck added. He went on to say, "The idea [was] that I was blaming my wife for my drinking. To be clear, my behavior is my responsibility entirely."

"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 added. He went on to say that the media had "deliberately mischaracterized [his remarks] in order to make it clickbait, and everyone else then picked it up."

Affleck was attacked soon after he made the initial comments, with some of it coming from Garner's own acquaintances who also appeared to have had an unfavorable interpretation of his interview. The 50-year-old Affleck and Garner announced their separation in 2015; their divorce was finalized three years later.

'It's disgusting'

One insider earlier told Page Six in December 2021, "It's disgusting." They claimed that Jen had consistently been the only person to help him when he had done terrible things. "Jen stood by him because she loves him. This is the mother of his children," they added. Another source related to Garner expressed their disappointment and appeared to assume that Affleck was attributing his alcoholism to her. Apart from Garner's acquaintances, Social media users also criticized the 'Argo' actor and director.

"You blame your ex wife for drinking? You were a drunk before you married her!" “Speaking poorly about the mother of your children pretty much makes you a terrible father and a total d***head!" Never ever speak poorly of your children’s mother, you got her pregnant what 3 times!!" said one social media user.

"@BenAffleck Sounds like your blaming your ex-wife for your drinking! Scumbag! Ben Affleck: I would’ve ‘still’ been drinking if I’d stayed married to Jennifer Garner," wrote another. "Ben Affleck is no batman. He is an alcoholic who blames others for his drinking. Come on Ben - take responsibility for your own actions, and not your ex-wife," said another.

How are things between Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner?

Affleck and Garner share three children: daughters Violet (17) and Seraphina (14) and a son Samuel (11). Despite having experienced their fair share of highs and lows throughout their relationship, Affleck and Garner are now amicable. Even on Halloween, Garner went trick-or-treating with Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, who had recently rekindled their romance after calling off their 2004 engagement.

What did Ben Affleck do to treat his alcoholism and when?

Affleck entered rehab several times before the former couple's divorce was finally finalized three years after they originally announced they were divorcing. The 'Armageddon' actor had been open about his battle with alcoholism, writing on Facebook in 2017 that he wanted his children to know there was no shame in asking for help when you needed it and that he wanted to be a source of inspiration for anyone else who needed help but was hesitant to ask for it.

Social media users, once again, took to the Internet to express their views on Affleck's alcoholism and his rehab visits. "Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner split up in 2015 and she was seen driving him to rehab in 2018 Don't blame it on her," wrote one. Another user typed, "Jlo famously no-alcohol, even in da club. She will flatf***ing leave him when he falls off the wagon, no driving to rehab. She won't even blink, just move on to someone shinier."

One more Internet user wrote, "Ben Affleck: I would've 'still' been drinking if I stayed married to Jennifer Garner Jennifer Garner: *helps him to rehab 3 full years after they’ve already separated *" Host of the 'iheartradio' podcast Ryne Bailey also wrote, "Ben Affleck shouldn’t talk shit about Jennifer. I seem to remember even after their split how she drove him to rehab and even stopped at Jack in the Box for him on the way there."

"This is why he will never recover, blaming others for your problems is the reason he's stuck. He may be sober but this mindset is not a road to recovery, he needs to acknowledge it's his problem and fight everyday to fix it. She's too good for him," claimed another social media user.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.