Ben Affleck ‘Only Wants to Date’ Women Who Are Sober or in Recovery After J.Lo Divorce, Source Says
Jennifer Lopez filed for divorce from Ben Affleck in August 2024, crushing the dreams of Bennifer fans worldwide. The couple only lasted two years in their marriage before calling it quits. Now, rumors suggest Lopez and Affleck are ready to get back into the dating world — and Affleck has non-negotiables this time. Here’s what a source said he’s looking for in his next romantic partner.
Ben Affleck only wants to date sober women or women in recovery, a source says
Ben Affleck has been open regarding his alcoholism and sobriety. He first decided to stop drinking in 1997 after the success of Good Will Hunting, and he entered rehab for the first time in 2001. Over the following decade, Affleck continued to strive for sobriety as he went back to rehab. His first wife, Jennifer Garner, staged an intervention for him in 2018 — the same year they finalized their divorce.
Affleck appears to have stayed sober through his second marriage to Jennifer Lopez. However, sources claimed that his family and friends worried he’d fall back into old habits. Additionally, Lopez isn’t sober. She owns a cocktail brand, Delola, which she frequently touts on Instagram.
After his second divorce, Affleck is allegedly ready to date a sober woman. “He only wants to date someone who is sober or in recovery,” a source told DailyMail.com. “These past two years have been tough for Ben, and as he begins to heal, one thing is very clear: His recovery comes before anything. He is not going to put his sobriety in jeopardy.”
The insider also noted that Affleck “has not given up on relationships and finally feels ready to move forward and start dating again.” While he doesn’t plan on jumping “into anything serious until the divorce is finalized,” he allegedly wants to start dating.
Jennifer Garner, Matt Damon, and Ben Affleck’s family serve as his support group post-divorce
Jennifer Garner remains on good terms with Ben Affleck in 2024, and she’s reportedly helped him through the end of his second marriage to Jennifer Lopez. Affleck’s famous best friend, Matt Damon, also continues to stick by Affleck’s side. A source told In Touch Weekly that Garner and Damon stay in touch to ensure that Affleck stays healthy and sober through the divorce proceedings.
“They’re all in touch with him and with each other,” the source alleged. “They’re very much a team and acting as a de facto support group for him. If they’re seeing a thing to worry about, they alert each other immediately. Ben knows they’re all in touch, but he doesn’t know the extent of it.”
Affleck is reportedly “throwing himself into work” while he and Lopez finalize their divorce. However, his alcoholism history causes those close to him to “worry that he’ll turn back to his vices when the going gets tough,” the insider continued.
The ‘Gone Girl’ star is allegedly hitting the gym and cutting out junk food as he reenters the dating scene
Insiders note Ben Affleck is making serious lifestyle changes as he reenters the dating scene. An insider told In Touch Weekly that he’s hitting the gym to work on his “Achilles heel” — his legs and glutes. The source said that his divorce from Jennifer Lopez has him wanting to “buff up and get into the best possible shape —especially now that he’s back on the dating scene.”
Affleck might also be cleaning up his eating habits. The source noted he’s cutting back on junk food and cigarettes post-divorce filing.
While Lopez reportedly ate junk food with Affleck to show how she can remain cool and relaxed with her body, she’s also back to hitting the gym and cleaning up her habits. “She kept her figure, but it caused her to break away from her optimal body,” another insider told Life & Style. “But now she’s going hell for leather to get it back. She’s up every morning doing lunges and squats, sweating her butt off at the gym while lining up trips to the health spa.”
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