Ben Affleck Opens Up About Getting Sober

Ben Affleck reflects on being an alcoholic and tells Howard Stern the one “cure” he’s found for addiction.
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[@howardstern]

Stream the FULL interview now on SiriusXM: sxm.app.link/HSBenAffleck

[@user-uv9yu6pf8s]

I now you not sober ewryday thaths not too beeing sober!!😅

[@to819]

You almost never see a celebrity being this genuine.

[@trhoades2063]

Absolutely it's nice to see

[@Bevzthejcs]

I was just thinking the same thing. Quite surprising but very cool to see.

[@MrWOLF-bb3kt]

Its called acting

[@imthegrk]

@@MrWOLF-bb3kt exactly.

[@christianb8228]

They are many, but the puppet masters try their hardest to not let them be seen or heard

[@priapushk996]

1:54 "The cure for addiction is suffering" Bang, nailed it. You don't know til you know.

[@kirk1007]

I concur.

[@hshoustontx]

🤯🤯🤯

[@UglyKidJoe71]

@@hshoustontx True words brother

[@LA155en]

I know :(

[@jdmadonna206]

Never knew Ben was an alcoholic! I’m 2 weeks clean from heroin today! I think he’s right, I don’t wanna use again cause I’m tired of suffering!

[@gordonagress4112]

Good on you. You hang in there, boss.

[@jdmadonna206]

@@gordonagress4112 yes doing well! Thanks

[@goosepelican2512]

Hope you're 2 weeks 4 days clean now. Congrats!🤜🤛

[@DR-om9ce]

Congratulations on your clean time

[@lvrm6]

Congrats! Hope you are still doing well!

[@_garebear]

Watching this interview got me sober. I was done suffering.

[@adods9824]

Sweet! It's ALL worth it, trust me! 4 years sober just now, Nov 23.

[@rtothec1234]

Ben is looking good here. I wish him success. I really liked him as Batman. I’m an overeater. It is hard.

[@rockd7684]

I’m a year sober ! Peace and love ✌🏼

[@nybriag7663]

Congratulations!!❤️❤️❤️

[@heathernegaard7521]

How awesome of you!!! Keep it going, you're doing fantastic!

[@Smoke1386]

Quitter

[@jordanhal2814]

That’s awesome! So happy for you!

[@rockd7684]

@@jordanhal2814 Thanks!

[@emmanuelwolf6568]

Finally,a celebrity being genuine and honest.

[@raulcitraro]

We all got to stop looking for heroes in celebrities. People develop ethics from suffering & self-discipline, not getting their asses kissed 24/7.

[@TheSigma008]

Not the first one

[@gaila.9852]

Finally?

[@johnhoneck2973]

Remember, he is a professional ACTOR.

[@donniep90]

I respect him for being so honest without worry of judgement.

[@jordanweller7485]

Almost 9 years sober myself. I hope he finds peace. Would love to see him write and direct a movie about this.

[@Rtboh]

He did, it’s called The Way Back

[@laemert09]

You should see the way back absolutely loved it

[@nostalgiaman6816]

9 years on Xanax 😞

[@Big_Wee_Bey_Gaming]

I got 136 days sober after battling alcoholism for 9 years

[@adods9824]

4 years sober now. After 31 drinking. It can be done!

[@brettsutter5254]

I completely agree! You nailed it Ben. Remembering the suffering keeps me sober.13 years +

[@broadwaybiz211]

Yes sir

[@jojoemmett4816]

Congratulations on your sobriety

[@joshkolchins7753]

This is precisely how I got sober. I’m 2 years and one month into my sobriety and I can absolutely relate to what brought Ben to his decision. Happy for him.

[@HenryCasillas]

💜

[@vikasbhatnagar183]

Sincerest congratulations on 25 months, sir

[@aznpanda510x]

Lets goooo!!!!!

[@TC8787-yq7og]

🙏

[@trecking]

Well done mate...

[@thecrystalshipful]

14 years, 5 months sober. Good fortunes, happiness and health to everyone as they end their suffering. You can do it!!

[@girl123interrupted]

Do you ever think about or crave it anymore

[@rgb2284]

sober of cheetos?

[@adods9824]

Coming up 4 years. Life is good / better !!

[@johnmanor5236]

Dude is intense. I can only imagine living with him would be the absolute best and the absolute worst... no in between.

[@dalesutaria8559]

Well said. Exhausting.

[@bitchyeyebrows]

Whiplash. It's too much.

[@bev_buntu4674]

he reminds me of a younger Baldwin

[@AtomicMushroomz]

@@ChangingTides777 Yes, you are self-centered.

[@elijahgavin6706]

Him flying into a drunken rage is probably Oscar-worthy every time

[@maribelnieves6530]

Sobriety is my BIGGEST accomplishment of my life going on 17 years of Sobriety this year. By God's good grace 🙏🙂

[@cmgordon12345]

He's always rubbed me the wrong way and this is incredible. Principals over personality.. and great to hear someone with success in AA give a nod to the greater recovery community as a whole. We all have different paths

[@jamesrichardson469]

5 years sober this month!

[@jordanhal2814]

Congratulations! Keep the faith.

[@jackrigueiro6943]

Congratulations! That’s amazing!

[@condohatesme]

Nice! I hope you are proud of yourself.👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@codybarrier6295]

Congratulations!

[@MarCapa-ed5uv]

Good for you James, and I really mean that. Sobriety is the best you can do for yourself.

[@hbk42581]

His honesty is so refreshing. I'll always be a Ben fan.

[@jameshurd4815]

After 35 years of sobriety I totally agree 👍 thx for being so honest Ben.

[@luvbearbut]

I love Ben..I've always been a fan..he's real and honest and is helping a lot of people thru his own struggles.. More then he knows.

[@jamescotner2459]

I'm right there with you Ben. The loss or near loss of someone you need in your life. Also no chaos is the key.

[@rhcpfan1981]

How he went off on the old-timers reminds me of his character in Dazed and Confused LOL!

[@tweettweet2457]

OBannion!

[@AdamDylanFoley]

FACTS, I know the struggle, anyone out there struggling, don't give up, took me 25 years to surrender but its the best thing I ever did, throw in the towel, hangs up the gloves, by accepting defeat the irony is that you win, you win by surrendering, let the illness win, that's fine, swallow your pride, stop fighting it, surrender, ACCEPT the fight is over and the reward is that you can break the shackles, your no longer a prisoner to the bottle... walk the earth a free man, it's not about money, big houses, etc.. just be happy to be living sober....

[@louiedangelo3843]

Stay blessed adam good to hear.

[@jordanhal2814]

Amen. Very well-said. Coming up on 7 years myself.

[@midsummersnight3848]

This is so inspiring and beautiful. I'm trying.

[@joebill663]

Ya I surrendered too 5 years ago. Takes what it takes. Addicts have a lot of fight so it's a 12 rounder for sure.

[@gitbusylivin]

Wow. Very well put.

[@joestaples8834]

Wow, he really opened up. Huge respect for being so honest 👏

[@MultiKalmer]

Selfreflection is one of the most underrated skills. This is the result how Ben is staying with his opinions after doing some research about himself while getting sober.

[@Jenny-Secondlife]

Love how he opens up and is honest. Life is full of shadows, it's nice to shine a light on them to let everyone know we all have problems.

[@Sebs209]

Great interview and insight from Ben. He really can help folks with this interview.

[@dronegolf]

Big props for his honesty

[@oliverthegreat201]

15 years sober today

[@leigh7507]

The cause of alcoholism is nearly always trauma and/or depression

[@JayDaPeace]

For me, the breaking point was when the truth of sobriety became more enticing than the lie of drinking. And when I stopped looking at it for what (I *thought*) I was giving up, but for what I was GAINING, what I was GETTING BACK.

[@vasyldoroshenko1417]

" truth of sobriety became more enticing than the lie of drinking - great words👍

[@davemis40]

Wow .. pure unadulterated honesty .. refreshing

[@rainbow5190]

I obviously don't personally know Ben but I really want him to know how proud I am of him. My uncle would be the same age as Ben today, unfortunately he passed away 3 years ago due to alcoholism. Although they're two complete strangers from different parts of the world, I feel so happy seeing Ben achieve what my uncle failed to.

[@brendapokorny326]

Good on him. I’m grateful he spoke his truth. I think it will help people.

[@jujubees711]

Wow, love his honesty. This is the kind of honesty that helps other people overcome their addictions. To know they are not alone and that others have made it, maybe they can make it too. That's why AA or a support system is so hugely important. So happy for him.

[@MG-yp1zw]

He’s a natural storyteller wow!

[@Razzles819]

Very important and insightful advice. It has to come from within. Your brain and heart need to be onboard in order to truly break the viscious cycle. It's very very difficult. Thanks, Ben! Also, Howard is becoming one of my favorite interviewers in the past few years. He goes in deep and gets people to open up.

[@adods9824]

True! And True!

[@ShogunateDaimyo]

The Gift of Desperation and the Willingness to do something different. Nothing changes if nothing changes.

[@briansullivan1621]

I relate AA. 7/23/94 You sharing this interview helps me & will help countless others

[@BigfootBrass]

I'm at 95 days today. It's finally "easy" to not drink...…but it wasn't always easy. At first, it was the hardest thing I've ever done.

[@musique1o1]

Congratulations! Keep up the fight, you're doing great!

[@anthonyarcanumsanctumregnu9551]

I love How honest he is.

[@bobabooey4537]

Ya me too..... on a popular radio show with a cam and mic. Ya... lol

[@lordfogg9728]

H.O.W.

[@stephenryan9131]

Hahaha

[@jscribblescom]

I love it too! I’m appalled that people are saying he’s blaming Jennifer Garner

[@19Jetta]

Really appreciate him being willing to show his anger. This felt very real

[@eleanorhernandez4144]

Ben, God bless you. Can't imagine your pain/suffering. I applaud your drive and most of all your honesty. I wish you the very BEST! Thank you for your candor!

[@kenlo6688]

Ben gets a lot of unnecessary hate and idk why, this guy has gone through so much and he literally gets dragged bc he spoke his truth. Like damn, y’all really hate that guy

[@exzisd]

Never knew he had a problem but this randomly popped on my recommendations and I'm glad to hear it. Keep fighting the good fight Ben.

[@VictorLopez-ql2bk]

Where have you been the past 20 years?

[@dorothygamble9144]

@@VictorLopez-ql2bk I was thinking the same thing.

[@mantis10_surf85]

What fight? He’s worth over 100 million buckeroos.

[@VictorLopez-ql2bk]

@@mantis10_surf85 money isn’t everything. Actually, money is worthless.

[@mantis10_surf85]

@@VictorLopez-ql2bk, Money isn’t everything. It’s the only thing!!!

[@actionjacksondan]

He looks so much better, awesome job Ben, thank you for the courage to share your story.

[@realmofcamping]

Love conquers all ❤ his love for his kids easily helped him crush his drinking . Mad respects

[@karlwiebe7191]

When the suffering of continuing doing what you allways done is larger than the pain of changing - you change, you surrender. Then you keep the spiritual awekening alive. Keep on keepin on🙏

[@HireMichaelEverson]

He nailed it. You have to learn to suffer. It hurts as long as it has to.

[@sharonbarton5464]

Great interview! Love Ben's honesty about his journey!

[@Look4TheGood9]

This is the most helpful thing I've seen. It could save the world if he stars in a movie and says these very words. His honesty is stunning and beautiful. 🙏🥰💕💪🙏 grateful for his courage, hardwork, and powerful, genius storytelling. ❤

[@ronankelly1854]

As someone said in a meeting “I was given the gift of desperation”. So true

[@Vikinguy]

Kudos to him for speaking from the heart. I have a REAL hard time believing he's never wanted a drink since. REAL hard. But hey. I wish him well.

[@mikeprem4152]

Great actor and always keeps it real on interviews

[@mattluoma-fi6bt]

16 months Tomorrow. Great words by Ben

[@benderoverify]

I had his exact experience. I saw how it affected the people I loved, I owned it, made amends the best I could, and haven’t wanted to since. AA is a great organization too

[@roberthall573]

"Win a thousand times, you only have to give in once"... Thank you Ben Affleck

[@Danjoker.]

This interview is on another level

[@LushiTV]

It really is the easiest thing ever how he explains it I had a wake up call the exact same way. You put it out of your mind completely.

[@expeditedclaimsolutions2579]

God Bless Ben, he is helping others see the light.

[@David_10157]

Recently saw him in “The Tender Bar”. Outstanding performance.

[@staciaseven]

♥️ Thank you Ben for sharing your honesty and truth

[@zlinky1113]

Very Wise words Ben. You are 100% correct. Big love from the U.K. ❤😊

[@paulapurser]

He found his 'WHY?' love his honesty and authenticity

[@orbansz1]

I just love this guy and hope he knows there are a ton of people out there, who respect him as a human being and value his work. He is real, honest, raw, genuine, courageous, intelligent, funny, sensitive and talented, a rarity, really. With flaws? Yeah, like EVERYONE else. A really good soul. And, despite of what Twitter thinks, he is f-ing strong, actually.

[@beetcoin4656]

He's a legend.

[@gerryfromthevoid8986]

He's completely right about the suffering. Whether it's to do with kids, or whether you've just hallucinated too many times and seen too dark of a world, it tends to be a lot easier when you have a lot of painful memories to go along with your vice of choice

[@ThommyKane]

one of the best interviews Howard ever did.

[@jasmineshae9334]

That by far is the Greatest Emotional Truth of Sobriety.. and its Cure I have ever heard !! Xo Ben

[@hdmartyh]

So wild seeing someone of his statue talk like this. I wish more celebs were this open about their struggles.

[@riadlo1]

Bravo! It does not get any more real or honest than this…

[@tenthirtythreeco]

Respect to Ben for being real and congrats on his sobriety ❤️‍🩹

[@pinkchilldivestmentor]

If Ben Affleck is sober, my name is Howard Stern

[@skoolie_life3261]

“You can win 1,000 times, but you only have to give up once.” That’s powerful.

[@sparetimetheater]

Always one of my favorite actors..

[@neil12011]

This is accurate. Best of luck and much love to those battling their demons. 💪❤️

[@KainedbutAble123]

Wow a very raw interview. Wasn’t expecting this depth.

[@jonathantopp1918]

So down to earth and honest.

[@jeremyclark74]

great interview. I needed to hear this.

[@Shay_TheUnpopularOpinion_]

Congrats on your sobriety Ben! ♥️ I can’t believe I’m still a fan after 19 years!! I am 31 now been loving him since I was 12 lol!

[@ashish_sunny]

Affleck is a legend. In person and profession!

[@EvilEAD]

As soon as I really couldn’t be there for my daughter ! 6 years no slips thank god 👏✌️♥️

[@ActionFigureGrader]

Dealing with life on life's terms and trudging that road. Good stuff. The GIFT of desperation.

[@johnmontag]

I love how real he is here

[@renegadeoffunk32]

Wow. That was some of the realest shit I've heard in a long time. Kudos Ben Affleck. You gotta go there to come back. 💯

[@rileyrollins3027]

Amen 💯 3yrs/ 2months and gratefully Counting…

[@michaeldonovan3959]

Howard is an amazing interviewer and host. He gets people to open up.

[@therichmiester]

He’s my hero, so happy for him

[@TheUnDisputedDoc.G]

Ben you just saved my life for real

[@angelisa368]

He sure does have his flaws, but really appreciate that he is down to earth and vulnerable. ❤

[@nctrnlmjsty8719]

Seems like a cool dude to chat with. Down to earth.

[@tedthacker3312]

He super buzzed during that interview

[@808Fee]

This is EXACTLY what I thought.

[@kencarson3451]

I thought the same thing too,he’s usually way duller than this

[@Toby458]

He has a lighter in his hand. Maybe weed?

[@paudsmcmack3117]

Fairplay to him. Loads of cash, loads of time, an uncertain career future and a life around the trappings. I hope he keeps its up!

[@sidda7085]

He’s not sober in this 🤣 or in any of his recent interviews for that matter. I don’t know how anyone could think he is

[@malumello17]

@@sidda7085 maybe some medicine against anxious or whatever.

[@Smitty8008]

Wow he said exactly what you need to change so true. Suffering when you cant do it anymore you make the change.

[@againstallodds1776]

I wish I could say the same it comes and goes I've surpassed my year already but it varies especially lossing loved ones 😔 everyday is a new battle where I must fight the urge

[@user-oc6kh6ts8s]

Thank you, Ben! Thank you, Howard!

[@Dubbadizzo86]

I personally have not struggled with being an alcoholic per se, so maybe my words aren't that great, but I did drink regularly and irresponsibly quite a bit in my 20s. In 2013 I got a DUI. It was expensive. Cost me over $10,000. Between the lawyer, having my car towed and impounded, a breathalyzer installed, 90 day suspension of license, which ultimately made me lose my job, all for a single night of drinking on a Thursday. I could have avoided all of that with a $30 cab ride home. I haven't been able to enter Canada either, which is extra terrible because my best friend and his family all live in Saskatchewan. Nowadays, I rarely drink, and honestly, I don't miss it. I don't miss waking up with regret for something I said or did. I don't miss the hangovers. I don't miss the absolute messing up of my schedule. I don't miss the promiscuity and questionable relationships with women. I don't miss the cigarette smoking and waking up feeling like an ash tray. I don't miss the disappointment I see from friends and family. Today, I smoke a little weed here and there. But I'm healthier, happier, have more energy, I have a good job, and I like myself. I like myself. That's probably the best thing there. I like who I am now. I sometimes have a beer or two, but I've learned I have a drinking issue. If I drink more than 2 strong drinks, like an IPA, then I can't seem to stop. So I limit at 2 beers. It's nice to be able to just drive home too, or not feel I need to go out at all. Alcohol is a terrible drug.

[@cynthiasmith4130]

You did a great lovely jesture, for your family!!!! Thank You!!! ❤️❤️❤️...

[@whodatcanuck3519]

100% True. Experienced it myself. Now sobriety is simple. But a lot of suffering ensued to get here.

[@brianmikus2511]

Its the only thing that really changes us ......suffering , still there are some that never change

[@FallenSun210]

Great honesty and grit here Ben. Keep up the good fight! Pain vs Pleasure - Anthony Robbins talked about this many years ago in his book - Awaken the Giant Within. “if we link massive pain to any behavior or emotional pattern, we will avoid indulging in it at all costs. We can use this understanding to harness the force of pain and pleasure to change virtually anything in our lives.”

[@gratefulElizabeth]

Thank you both 💗💪💕