Spencer Pratt has criticized Ben Affleck for comments regarding addiction and recovery. In a clip from a 2021 interview on ‘The Howard Stern Show,’ Affleck, who has faced alcoholism, shared his views on addiction. He expressed that suffering is the key to overcoming addiction, dismissing other treatments as ineffective.
“I hate to say it, but the cure for addiction, the only cure I’ve seen, is suffering.”
Affleck discussed his own experience, saying losing important relationships and affecting his children were major turning points for him.
On Monday, Spencer Pratt criticized Affleck’s view on social media. A former Los Angeles mayoral candidate, Pratt focused on addiction in his campaign. He suggested that Affleck should share his thoughts with those suffering in places like Skid Row, highlighting the persistent issue of addiction despite widespread suffering.
Pratt’s campaign aimed to address homelessness, identifying it mainly as an addiction problem driven by drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine. He proposed solutions involving involuntary treatment and targeted drug enforcement.
Following his campaign, Pratt accused officials of overspending on homelessness without addressing addiction effectively.
Affleck has been open about his battle with alcohol addiction. He first sought treatment in 2001, with later rehab stays in 2017 and 2018. The actor has described these struggles as lifelong, but cites his children as motivation for sobriety.
During a 2020 interview, Affleck shared how his father’s alcoholism affected him, emphasizing the importance of being sober for his children’s sake.