Ben Affleck has stepped in to help his rehab recovery coach as he finds himself at risk of losing his job over sexual misconduct allegations.
Noah Levine, who founded Refuge Recovery House, an alternative program to AA, was accused in early 2018 of sexual misconduct by an unnamed woman.
Her claims were investigated and prosecutors later rejected the case but the Board of Directors of Refuge Recovery House is now believed to be attempting to oust Levine from his role.
A declaration by the Batman actor has now been filed in Levine’s defense, and in it Affleck claims ‘working with Noah and his Refuge Recovery program has, quite literally, turned my life around’.
‘Today I am sober, happy, healthy and have custody of my three children. All of those things are a result of having Noah in my life. I don’t know what I would have done without him,’ he shared.
It continues: ‘Noah’s patient instruction in sobriety, Buddhism, patience, kindness, compassion and forgiveness form the bedrock of the foundation of my life today.
‘I owe him for my professional life today, the life I have with my children, and the inner sense of equanimity I am actually able to reach from time to time.’
The statement, seen by TMZ, also throws shade at others in the industry and hints at having spent time with people who simply used him for fame and fortune.
‘I have been around many people in the recovery field, the self-help world, and the world of those who hang around celebrities for profit and attention … Noah is without a doubt the person with the most integrity, the most honor, the most genuine compassion and the least motivated by self-interest I have ever known,’ it reads.
Ben previously sought help for addiction issues back in 2001, and again in 2017.
In August 2018, it was claimed his ex-wife Jennifer staged an intervention and asked him to return as she was worried their three children would ‘grow up without a dad’.
Speaking after his second stint, he explained his kids were the reason he checked himself in.
‘I want to live life to the fullest and be the best father I can be,’ he shared in a candid Facebook post.
‘I want my kids to know there is no shame in getting help when you need it, and to be a source of strength for anyone out there who needs help but is afraid to take the first step.
‘I’m lucky to have the love of my family and friends, including my co-parent, Jen, who has supported me and cared for our kids as I’ve done the work I set out to do.’
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