Ben Affleck Enters Alcohol Addiction Treatment for the Third Time

Ben Affleck is entering alcohol addiction treatment for the third time, according to People Magazine. The actor has been open about his ongoing struggle with addiction and desire to get well. In March of last year, he shared in a Facebook post that he had completed an addiction treatment program.

“I have completed treatment for alcohol addiction; something I’ve dealt with in the past and will continue to confront,” he wrote. “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.”

Because Affleck is entering treatment again, some have been quick to attack him or lament the fact he may not be in the next “Batman” movie. Others have responded to these reactions, defending the actor on social media.

Anyone trying to talk shit about Ben Affleck going to rehab to get the help that he needs is a fucking idiot.

If you don’t understand how addiction affects you both mentally and physically and how much of a burden it can become for yourself and those close to you, don’t comment.

— Jack mull (@J4CKMULL) August 23, 2018

you may not like ben affleck but don’t exploit his personal trauma for clickbait or shame him for dealing with a mental illness millions of people deal with as well

— grace (@newsflxsh) August 23, 2018

Ben Affleck healthy and happy is far more important than Ben Affleck as Batman. Period. #BestWishes

— TheFliteCast (@TheFliteCast) August 23, 2018

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, about 40 to 60 percent of people with substance abuse disorders will relapse. While relapses are common in addiction recovery, there is hope. It’s important to stick to your medical treatment plan in recovery.

Regardless of how you personally feel about Ben Affleck, he’s human and deserves compassion and respect when struggling with his mental health. If this news is hard for you, you’re not alone. It’s important to remember mental health and addiction recovery aren’t linear. As Mighty contributor Ameriah Schober wrote about mental health recovery:

It’s hard. This is a given. Recovery isn’t supposed to be easy (even though I wish it sometimes was)…

You’ll slip up. Again, recovery is hard. Recovery isn’t linear. There will be times when you’ll be doing great, and there will be times that you won’t be doing so great…

[But] recovery is worth it. As much as recovery sucks, it is so worth it. Recovery is probably the best decision I’ve ever made.

There is help if you are in crisis or are struggling with addiction. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text “START” to 741-741. Head here for a list of crisis centers around the world.  If you or a loved one is affected by addiction and need help, you can call SAMHSA‘s hotline at 1-800-662-4357.