CNN Political Ticker:
U.S. Rep. John Sullivan, of Oklahoma, checked himself into the Betty Ford Center in California on Thursday night for treatment for alcohol addiction, according to a written statement from his office.
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I thought the Repubicans were the ones with all of the morals and valures. The evangelical religious folk.
Thank you John for being open and honest about your problem. It is actually the first step to recovery, is to ADMIT that you have a problem. There is nothing wrong or weak about seeking help. I commend you for realizing that your job is not the most important thing right now, but getting help and your family is. Good luck John!!!
His voting record is completely against rehab. Ironic.
Proggirl,
That's not good. Ironic is right.
I wonder who's footing the bill?
I guess it's OK when they need healthcare
and they take "personal responsibi
I hope he gets well nonetheless, I'm just sick
of those who are stingy about health care--usually Repugs,
but sometimes the Dems too--Max Baucus for example.
One would hope that he is able to learn how to control his illness, and that he will be able to lead a productive life after becoming sober.
What difference only 24 hours makes for the Rethugs. First, we have the NC Representative gropping, alcohol on his breath and then doin 102mph in a 45mph zone. Now, we have an Okie going into rehab. Senator Okie should take his lead from the NC Representative and just retire! He'll get his full salarie and bennies. Unless of course he is younger than 55, then I guess Betty Ford Clinic is the route to take. The question bears asking though: who is picking up the tab for his stint at the Ford Clinic? Is he taking it from his Congressional office budget? And, I'm sure he is taking a leave of absence WITH PAY! Don't you just love the way our tax dollars work for us?
What difference only 24 hours makes for the Rethugs. First, we have the NC Representative gropping, alcohol on his breath and then doin 102mph in a 45mph zone. Now, we have an Okie going into rehab. Senator Okie should take his lead from the NC Representative and just retire! He'll get his full salarie and bennies. Unless of course he is younger than 55, then I guess Betty Ford Clinic is the route to take. The question bears asking though: who is picking up the tab for his stint at the Ford Clinic? Is he taking it from his Congressional office budget? And, I'm sure he is taking a leave of absence WITH PAY! Don't you just love the way our tax dollars work for us?
I'll drink to that.
I'm guessing he probably wouldn't have taken this step if there wasn't some scandal coming through the pipeline. Can't wait to see what heinous act he recently committed while intoxicated. Anyone care to speculate on what he might have done???
This is precisely what I was thinking. Naively, when I worked as a bank auditor, I once observed how I was surprised over the number of embezzlers who had drinking or gambling problems. Then it was explained to me that when your hand is caught in the cookie jar, it's very much to your benefit to find something outside of yourself to blame.
I felt a bit foolish when I got clued in. Since then, I've noticed with amusement how often "remorse" is displayed and how alcoholism, gambling, and renewed faith have been dragged into defenses of the shameless -- usually insincerely, conveniently, and manipulatively.
BUT, in fairness, I really have no clue as to whether this particular congressman is on the up and up. He may be among the exceptions that are sincere and real. I dunno. If so, I wish him well. If not, the heck with him.
It doesn't matter what he has done, what is important is what he is doing.....
Maybe there's something, maybe not.
For now, all we know is that here's a man taking responsibility to address a problem, and for that he deserves approval and encouragement.
I wish him the best. But then again, if I were a Republican right now, I too would check myself into rehab. Just saying.
Good for him. I hope more follow.
Congratulations on your honesty and making a decision to better your life and the life of those who love you. The best of wishes from a Dem.
well said!
well-said
Best of luck in your recovery Mr. Sullivan. Keep coming back it works!
There is nothing that he can get out of the Betty Ford clinic that he cannot get out of AA for free.
AA -- wonderful as it is -- does not supply medical supervision during detox. And many alcohol and drug abusers badly need that. AA does not discourage medical rehabs and the Betty Ford clinic strongly advises active AA attendance after discharge. It's a WIN/WIN for the patient and often speeds recovery.
Maybe for some. For the most part, I disagree. Addiction treatment is often very good even though it may not "take" the first or second or more times. Patients learn new ways to deal with every day life. Follow up with weekly AA meetings or NA.
AA is a great organization, but residential treatment will be far more intensive, and it has the advantage that he will be removed from the people, places, and things that trigger drinking, so that he can start developing new habits. But he needs to be attending AA as well as going to residential treatment, and he should continue with AA meetings after he has completed treatment. He'll need to develop a recovery support system back where he lives, people he can call when he has the urge to drink or he has other problems he is having difficulty coping with. I'm very happy for him that he recognizes he has a problem with alcohol. That is the first step to recovery.
AA takes SELF MOTIVATION
Why do you think Liz Taylor keeps checking back in?
That is true to a point. However, detox can be risky, and AA can be hit or miss depending upon the make up of the meeting. Many people are too broken to even comprehend what is said in a meeting, and in most meetings, the newcomers are left to fend for themselves as the old timers chum around with each other....a treatment center gives a good period to adjust to life without a crutch, to clear the head, to learn a basis for AA, get a foot hold on the 12 steps....A
Empirical research over the past 75 years indicate that you are wrong about AA. I agree that the physical stress of detox is best done under clinical supervision. People die detoxing, however, detox is approximately a 3 to 7 day process depending on the substance and the physical condition of the individual. Nonetheless, every controlled study over decades indicate that regardless of the treatment facility attended, AA attendance increases the chances of sobriety at the end of a year by 80%.
That being said, Betty Ford's long term success rate isn't impressive.
I can't knock the man for facing up to a serious problem.
Good for him. I hope he realizes that it is the first step in a sustained recovery.
There is no cure for Alcoholism and it is one of the worst, destructive diseases on the planet when left untreated.
Good for him, no shame in getting help if you need it!
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First Posted: 05-30-09 12:03 PM | Updated: 05-30-09 12:14 PM