Ben Affleck is starting a⁤ new phase in his life after his split from Jennifer Lopez, focusing on ⁤staying sober. Following their ⁤very public breakup⁣ earlier this year, sources say that Affleck, ⁣52, is carefully getting back into dating but has one important⁤ rule: he will only date someone who is sober or in recovery.

“Ben hasn’t given up on love and feels ready to move on and start dating again,” a source ​shared with DailyMail.com. Still, his path to recovery remains ⁣crucial. “The‍ last two ⁣years have been hard for Ben, and as​ he heals, it’s clear that his recovery comes first.”

Affleck’s struggles with addiction are well-known. He quit‍ drinking in 1997 but faced challenges over the years, including rehab visits in 2001, 2017, and 2018— the last one involved an intervention by his ex-wife Jennifer Garner.

“My ‍actions are ⁢my own ⁢responsibility…I​ think I ​was⁣ pretty clear about that.” Affleck told The New York Times back in 2020. His dedication to sobriety has stayed strong; now​ he wants ⁣future relationships with someone who ⁣shares⁣ similar values about being sober.

After moving out of the $68 million home he had⁢ with Lopez into a bachelor pad in Brentwood California friends worried that the stress of the ​breakup might affect his hard-earned sobriety.

However according to Daily⁢ Mail​ Lopez contacted Garner for help since she could truly understand what he‌ was going through. Affleck felt upset that people were concerned about him ⁣relapsing but reassured them‌ by⁢ saying “Like every ​alc0h0lic Ben just wakes up each day⁢ aiming to stay sober.”

Affleck’s journey isn’t just about ‌personal strength; it’s also about setting limits for both mental and ⁣physical health.

“What I did was drink a‍ bottle of scotch then fall asleep on the couch which‌ turned out not to ​be helpful.” He confessed to The Hollywood Reporter.

He believes avoiding ‌alcohol helps ensure that family and friends won’t have to see him go through those tough times again.
Since ⁤breaking up Affleck briefly dated Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy ⁣from the famous Kennedy family but insiders say this relationship was short-lived and ​happened before reuniting with Lopez. ⁤“They met ⁢because Ben is ‌from Boston where everyone knows the Kennedy family,” one ⁣source explained to DailyMail.com.

As Affleck finds independence again he’s taking relationships slowly putting⁣ his ⁤health first above everything else. He understands how vital self-care is during recovery making it clear any future partner ‍must share his commitment towards sobriety a rule he’s not⁤ willing to bend at ‍all!