Affleck’s ‘destructive phase’
BEN Affleck spirals into a “destructive phase” when he’s not working, friends say, and while the star “has been battling demons for years,” this relapse is a “wake-up call” for the dad of three.
Affleck checked into a facility after an intervention by estranged wife Jennifer Garner at his Pacific Palisades home Wednesday. He and Garner — who split in 2015 after 10 years — left his place together and headed for a treatment center.
Friends of the actor told Page Six that he’s been in a bad place since he broke up with “Saturday Night Live” producer Lindsay Shookus.
A Hollywood insider said, “Ben’s issues with substance abuse seem to reach a destructive phase when he’s not working. His addiction doesn’t seem as powerful when he is working.”
Affleck wrapped “Triple Frontier” in May and Dee Rees’ “The Last Thing He Wanted” with Anne Hathaway in July. Pals told us the downtime is when he needs his sober coach the most.
“Ben has a substance abuse problem with alcohol, which has been on and off for a very long time; he’s been battling these demons for years.
“He’s currently in rehab, and it’s likely he’ll be in and out of treatment more times in the future. But the good news is that this doesn’t affect his work. He’s an Oscar-winning director, he’s well liked in Hollywood, and there’s a lot of sympathy for him — he’s still working, people want to work with him.” His rep didn’t comment.
Another friend tells Page Six of the new rehab visit: “Ben has never been afraid to ask for help, which shows growth from past years. He’s working to better himself and hopefully this was the wake-up call he needed. He goes to meetings every day. He is suffering, and thankfully he’s not afraid to ask for help. Rehab is a good thing.”
Meanwhile, Affleck and Garner have settled their lengthy divorce proceedings. The couple will finalize their divorce after he completes his rehab treatment, according to TMZ, which said the couple did not have a prenup and have reached a property settlement. Additionally, they agreed to joint custody of their three children — Violet, 12, Seraphina, 9, and Samuel, 6.