Ben Affleck Regrets Blaming Jennifer Garner For His Alcoholism

Ben Affleck, like many celebrities, has given interview answers that he later regretted. But when Affleck looks back at his interview history, he particularly regrets his comments about Jennifer Garner. And now Ben hopes to clarify what he meant.

Find out what the actor shared on who he blames for his struggles with alcoholism. And learn what Affleck wants understood about his relationship with Garner. Get all the details below.

Ben Affleck – Takes Responsibility For His Alcoholism

In 2021, Affleck talked with Howard Stern about his alcoholism. And Ben claimed that he would still be using alcohol if he had remained married to Jennifer Garner. However, Affleck now wants to clear up the conception that he blamed Garner for his drinking, according to Page Six.

And the 50-year-old actor shared in a new interview, “To be clear, my behavior is my responsibility entirely.” But Affleck also admitted that he has become more private after that interview with Stern went viral. And he feels that his comments got misinterpreted.

 “The point that I was trying to make was a sad one,” explained Ben. “Anyone who’s been through divorce makes that calculus of, ‘How much do we try?’ We loved each other,” added Affleck about Garner.

Ben Affleck – Explains Jennifer Garner Controversial Comments

However, although Garner and Affleck “care about each other” and “have respect for each other,” the actor’s remarks about Jennifer sparked a controversy. And fans as well as Garner’s friends slammed Ben when he told Howard Stern that his alcoholism partly stemmed from feeling “trapped” in his marriage with Jennifer. But Affleck now tried to backtrack those statements.

“I was trying to say, ‘Hey, look, I was drinking too much,” shared Ben. “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.’ I think I was pretty articulate about that.” However, Affleck blaming his marriage for his alcoholism at the time sparked a backlash. 

For instance, one insider called Ben’s comments about feeling “trapped” with Garner “disgusting. Jen has been the only one picking him up time and time again when he’s done horrible things — fallen off the wagon or worse. Jen stood by him because she loves him. This is the mother of his children.”

Ben Affleck – Views Interviews As ‘Land Mines’

After marrying in 2005, Garner and Affleck split in 2018. They co-parent three children. And the kids range in age from Violet, 17, to Seraphina, 14, and Samuel, 11. Before finalizing their divorce, Ben headed to rehab on several occasions.

And in a Facebook post about his alcohol addiction, Affleck shared his message. “I want my kids to know there is no shame in getting help when you need it,” wrote Ben. And he also shared his goal of becoming “a source of strength for anyone out there who needs help but is afraid to take the first step.”

However, Affleck admits that he learned from that infamous interview with Howard Stern. And he now views interviews as potential “land mines. If you say one wrong thing, your career might be over,” added Ben. But he shared that the backlash from Stern’s interview represented a particularly “painful experience. The entire pickup was something that was not only not right, it was actually the opposite of what I meant.”

Tell us what you think. How do you interpret Ben Affleck’s comments about his marriage to Jennifer Garner? And after you share your views, check back on our site for more celebrity news.

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com