Ben Affleck opened up about his struggles with alcoholism in a candid interview with "Today" host Hoda Kotb on Monday. The 46-year-old actor, who completed a 40-day stay at a treatment center for alcohol addiction last year, explained that the addiction was part of his life and something that he had to deal with.
"It doesn't have to subsume my whole identity and be everything but it's something you have to work at," he told Kotb, according to USA Today. Speaking about his decision to undergo treatment which according to the HuffPost was his third stint in rehab, Affleck explained that he had a problem that he wanted to address.
"I take some pride in that … bits about yourself, your life, your family, and you know people — we encounter these kinds of hurdles and we have to deal with them," he told Kotb. "It doesn't really bother me to talk about alcoholism and being an alcoholic.
After completing his treatment for alcoholism last year, Affleck posted a heartfelt note to Instagram in which he thanked friends and fans for their support.
"This week I completed a 40-day stay at a treatment center for alcohol addiction and remain in outpatient care,” he wrote. “The support I have received from my family, colleagues and fans means more to me than I can say. It’s given me the strength and support to speak about my illness with others. Battling any addiction is a lifelong and difficult struggle. Because of that, one is never really in or out of treatment. It is a full-time commitment. I am fighting for myself and my family."
Affleck rounded off his post by expressing hope that one day he could be an example to others with similar struggles.
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