As rumors of an impending divorce between Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez swirl, concerns about the actor's sobriety have intensified. Friends and insiders suggest that the pressures of his troubled marriage may be putting Affleck's hard-fought sobriety at risk.
Sources have claimed that Affleck, 51, might be struggling with his addiction once again. "I hear that he is drinking," one source told Daily Mail. "He is full of demons - a really troubled person." Another insider added, "I have seen him looking glassy-eyed, and it is a real worry to everyone who cares about him."
Affleck has been candid about his battles with alcoholism, having sought treatment multiple times over the years. In a 2020 interview, he reflected on his struggle, stating, "It took me a long time to fundamentally, deeply, without a hint of doubt, admit to myself that I am an alcoholic. The next drink will not be different."
The actor's personal life has been under the spotlight since his high-profile reunion with Jennifer Lopez in 2021. The couple, who were first engaged in the early 2000s, reignited their romance and married in 2022. However, recent reports indicate that their marriage is facing significant challenges.
According to sources, the couple's different lifestyles and hectic schedules have led to them living separately and selling their shared home. "At this point, they are just doing their own thing," one insider revealed. "They went into their relationship very optimistic and thought things could change, but they haven't."
Lopez, 54, has reportedly been leaning on her family during this transitional period. "Jen is touring houses and shopping around for her own home," a source told a news outlet. "She has been leaning on her mom, sisters, and kids during this transitional period."
Affleck, on the other hand, is said to be focused on his work and his role as a father. "Ben is sad about it all but focused on his work, being a great dad, and co-parenting well with Jennifer Garner," another source mentioned. "He has been leaning on Matt Damon and his close circle of guy friends. Matt is always in Ben's corner and is supportive of him."
The pressures of their relationship appear to be taking a toll on Affleck's mental health and sobriety. Friends are reportedly concerned that he might relapse into drinking, with one source telling the Daily Mail, "I hear that he is drinking. He is full of demons - a really troubled person."
Adding to the strain, Lopez's family, including her mother, Guadalupe Rodriguez, and her manager, Benny Medina, are said to have turned against Affleck. This familial disapproval is believed to be exacerbating the couple's marital issues. "The reasons why it hasn't worked out are many, but when you lose J.Lo's family, you lose J.Lo," a source stated.
In an effort to salvage their marriage, Lopez reportedly canceled her summer tour to focus on their relationship. However, insiders suggest that divorce is imminent. "I understand that he has checked out of the marriage, but she has yet to accept the truth of the situation and thinks that with therapy they might make it," one source explained.
Affleck's struggles with addiction have been a longstanding battle. He first sought treatment for alcoholism in 2001 and has since had multiple stints in rehab, including in 2017 and 2018. Despite these efforts, he has had setbacks, including a highly publicized incident in 2019 where he was seen leaving a Halloween party intoxicated.
The actor has often spoken about the cycle of addiction, explaining, "People with compulsive behavior, and I am one, have this kind of basic discomfort all the time that they're trying to make go away. You're trying to make yourself feel better with eating or drinking or sex or gambling or shopping or whatever. But that ends up making your life worse. Then you do more of it to make that discomfort go away. Then the real pain starts. It becomes a vicious cycle you can't break. That's at least what happened to me."
