After a challenging 2018, Ben Affleck is looking and sounding like himself again.

The Oscar-winning writer/actor/director, who returned to rehab last fall to address his long struggle with alcoholism, talked with "Today" host Hoda Kotb Monday about getting his life back on track.

"It doesn't really bother me to talk about alcoholism and being an alcoholic," he said when she pointed out that addiction is a disease that is managed rather than cured. "It's part of my life, something that I deal with. It doesn't have to subsume my whole identity and be everything but it's something you have to work at."

He continued, "I had a problem and I really wanted to address it. I take some pride in that ... It's about yourself, your life, your family. People encounter these kinds of hurdles and we have to deal with them."

When Kotb remarked it was obvious he still loves ex-wife Jennifer Garner from the way he talks about her, he replied, "She's wonderful. Somebody's the mother of your kids, they're going to be the most important, central person in your life, and that's good.”

The couple, who announced their separation in 2015, jointly filed for divorce in April 2017 after nearly 12 years of marriage. However, Garner, who reportedly drove her estranged husband to rehab, postponed divorce proceedings until after Affleck completed his 40-day treatment. Their split was finalized last fall.

Affleck, 46, called Garner a "great mom" on "Today" and said she "helps out a great deal with making sure that we co-parent in as good a way as possible."

His trademark sense of humor was on display when Kotb said he looked good and it appeared as though things were going well for him.

"I hate to be shallow about it but I just did the A-Rod 10-day challenge," he cracked. "I saw Carson Daly bombed out after a day. I know I can get past the doughnut tray for longer than a day."

Daly, who was standing behind the cameras, shouted. "Not me! Good for you, Ben."