Kennedy (rep) to check into rehab center

[Sgent]

on CNN right now.

Edit to add link:

WASHINGTON - Rep. Patrick Kennedy (news, bio, voting record) will enter rehab for addiction to prescription pain medication Friday evening after a highly publicized car crash near the Capitol.

Kennedy, D-R.I., plans to seek treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

The congressman was announcing his decision during a new conference Friday afternoon, then planned to travel to Minnesota later in the day.

Kennedy, who has struggled with addiction and depression, said he had checked into the Mayo Clinic over the Christmas holidays and returned to Congress "reinvigorated and healthy."

Yahoo (AP) News

[OKNancy]

1. please provide a link as soon as one

is available

Thanks

[Stand and Fight]

2. How convenient that this comes out now...

Goss resigns for unknown reasons and we have this thing with Rep. Kennedy. :eyes:

Goos resigning = Hookergate at the Watergate. :bounce:

[rodeodance]

15. I am glad Kennedy made statement.

[Stand and Fight]

43. As am I...

I just don't think the press has to focus on that as much as they are when there is Hookergate and Goss' resignation to cover.

[regnaD kciN]

37. Or, as I refer to it...

Goss resigning = Hookergate at the Watergate.

...Watergate II: Hookers on the Potomac. :evilgrin:

[Stand and Fight]

42. Hey, that's pretty good.

:yourock: Writig a screenplay, are you?

[Freddie Stubbs]

45. Are you suggesting that Kennedy timed this to deflect attention?

:shrug:

[alcibiades_mystery]

46. It's completely ridiculous, isn't it?

Sometimes, the things that people say on this board! The probably scenario would work something like this: Bush's minions secretly up Kennedy's dosage of the painkillers to which he is addicted on Thursday night, knowing that Goss will resign today. Ooooga! Ooooga boooga! Then they hypnotize him to drive his car into the wall at precisely the right time, thereby deflecting attention from Hookergate.

It's all a big conspiracy, you know? What, you don't believe it? FREEPER DISRUPTOR!!!!! RW TALKING POINT!!!!!! I suppose you don't believe that the Bush admin is capable of ANY EVIL AT ALL< since you don't seem to believe they hypnotized Pat Kennedy!

Oi. It's like a lunatic asylum in here some days.

[VolcanoJen]

3. Wow. So, there goes Hurricane Goss.

It will be interesting to see how the rest of this news day develops.

:eyes:

[Dagaz]

4. Good choice

This will put this behind him. Rehab isn't stigma like it was years ago.

[jarab]

7. Unless you're poltiically "on the other side", I've noticed. n/t

...O...

[jseankil]

seeking out help, good for him! /nm

nm

[eleny]

10. Absolutely

It ends all speculations. Now we can get back to Goss!

[regnaD kciN]

39. Wanna make a bet...?

Watch...Republicans will now demand an investigation of the Mayo Clinic -- wanting to check all of Kennedy's records to see if the treatment was for prescription drugs or alcohol. :eyes:

[eleny]

54. Maybe Kennedy can quick use the $30,000. Limbaugh soluton!

[rodeodance]

5. cnn now. Pat K is making a statement-chronic depression.

[rodeodance]

6. over Christmas he had checked into Mayo Clinic for help.

[rodeodance]

8. says he does not want to live his life this way: Not remembering what

happened Thrus morning. Knows he needs help.

[rodeodance]

11. oh--this is so heartbreaking. He will go to Mayo clinic today.

[Orsino]

27. Chronic depression AND ADDICTION.

As much as I applaud his openly seeking help, I was irked by his patting himself on the back as "open and honest" without bothering to mention what substance(s) he's addicted to.

If alcohol is among them, that's nearly an admission that he was driving drunk last night, and it makes his having avoided a sobriety test that much more suspicious.

RHIP.

on edit: seems I missed the part of the story where he alludes to prescription pain medication. That's pretty open.

[janx]

34. Depression and addiction are often linked.

It's a drag.

[Snivi Yllom]

9. good

Before he does himself or others harm.

[rodeodance]

12. I just hope RW Shuts up now!

[rodeodance]

14. Sen. Ted Kennedy---admires Pat for speaking publicly.

[OKNancy]

13. Other folks who get into trouble should take notes

His actions just now will totally diffuse this whole matter ( or it should )

[rodeodance]

17. Dana Bash is making a fool of herself.

[kskiska]

33. First she said it was surprising

then said it wasn't surprising in view of his history. Which is it, Dana?

[regnaD kciN]

40. Not. A. Chance.

Watch all the right-wing talking heads who defended Rush and his addiction start piling on this case. :eyes:

[AngryAmish]

16. It takes courage to face your addictions

Nobody should be prosecuted or persecuted when they admit that they have a problem and take steps to correct the problem. This man is a role model for everyone in our party.

[rodeodance]

18. I am proud of him.

[AngryAmish]

20. There has never been a prouder day for our party

[regnaD kciN]

41. I beg to differ...

If the proudest day for our party is when one of our representatives announces he's getting treatment for addiction, we've got a pretty pathetic party indeed.

Not to pillory Rep. Kennedy, but neither should we praise him to the skies for realizing he has a medical problem and dealing with it. That's a more sensible approach than lots of celebrities display, but not exactly a high point for our party, compared to, say, the New Deal, the creation of Social Security and Medicare, or the Civil Rights Acts.

[Skinner]

19. LINK -- Feel free to edit this into your post

WASHINGTON - Rep. Patrick Kennedy (news, bio, voting record) will enter rehab for addiction to prescription pain medication Friday evening after a highly publicized car crash near the Capitol.

Kennedy, D-R.I., plans to seek treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

The congressman was announcing his decision during a new conference Friday afternoon, then planned to travel to Minnesota later in the day.

Kennedy, who has struggled with addiction and depression, said he had checked into the Mayo Clinic over the Christmas holidays and returned to Congress "reinvigorated and healthy."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060505/ap_on_go_co/patrick_kennedy

[rodeodance]

21. AP link here:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060505/ap_on_go_co/patrick_kennedy;_ylt=Ak7DY2GcymETm70xuq_Lrxas0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA2Z2szazkxBHNlYwN0bQ--

Rep. Patrick Kennedy to Enter Drug Rehab

By ANDREW MIGA, Associated Press Writer 1 minute ago

[rodeodance]

22. more here:

...The congressman said he became concerned about his condition after the Thursday morning car accident.

"I simply do not remember getting out of bed, being pulled over by the police, or being cited for three driving infractions," Kennedy said. "That's not how I want to live my life. And that's not how I want to represent the people of Rhode Island."

The congressman's father, Sen. Edward Kennedy (news, bio, voting record), D-Mass., issued a supportive statement in which he said he's proud of his son for admitting his problem and taking steps to correct it.

"He has taken full responsibility for events that occurred ... and he will continue to cooperate fully with any investigation," the elder Kennedy said.

The younger Kennedy said he hoped that his "openness today and in the past, and my acknowledgment that I need help, will give others the courage to get help if they need it."

[UpInArms]

23. I wonder if he was taking Ambien - doesn't that cause all types

of sleep-walking/driving/eating events?

"I simply do not remember getting out of bed, being pulled over by the police, or being cited for three driving infractions," Kennedy said. "That's not how I want to live my life. And that's not how I want to represent the people of Rhode Island."

[rodeodance]

24. more from AP article:

..He announced his decision to reporters at a Capitol Hill news conference. He walked in alone, gripped the lectern, cleared his throat and began haltingly.

Kennedy, who has struggled with addiction and depression, said he had checked into the Mayo Clinic over the Christmas holidays and returned to Congress "reinvigorated and healthy."

"Of course, in every recovery, each day has its ups and downs, but I have been strong, focused and productive since my return," Kennedy said in a statement obtained by The Associated Press.

The congressman said he became concerned about his condition after the Thursday morning car accident.

[rodeodance]

25. why is the cnn reported talking of 'post 9/11'--capitol police need to

not be babysitters!

[rodeodance]

26. saying things done with a wink and a nod --but says not appropriate

'post 9/11'-- good grief! I so tire of all things changed after 9/11.

[Autonomy]

28. Text of Patrick Kennedy's Statement

The statement Friday by Rep. Patrick Kennedy:

Over my 15 years in public life, I've felt a responsibility to speak honestly and openly about my challenges with addiction and depression. I've been fighting this chronic disease since I was a young man, and have aggressively and periodically sought treatment so that I can live a full and productive life.

I struggle every day with this disease, as do millions of Americans. I've dedicated my public service to raising awareness about the chronic disease of addiction and have fought to increase access to care and recovery supports for the too many Americans forced to struggle on their own.

This past Christmas, I realized that I had to seek help again so checked myself into the Mayo Clinic for addiction to prescription pain medication. I was there over the holiday and during the House recess getting well, and I returned to the House of Representatives and to Rhode Island reinvigorated and healthy.

Of course, in every recovery, each day has its ups and downs, but I have been strong, focused and productive since my return. But in all candor, the incident on Wednesday evening concerns me greatly.

I simply do not remember getting out of bed, being pulled over by the police, or being cited for three driving infractions. That's not how I want to live my life, and that's not how I want to represent the people of Rhode Island.

More: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060505/ap_on_go_co/kennedy_text_1

[AX10]

29. K&R

[rodeodance]

30. "That's not how I want to live my life," good for him.

[stepnw1f]

31. KICK

I too suffer the same

[stillcool]

36. Me too....

the major difference between now and when I was using, is then I did illegal drugs...now I do legal ones. Since I got sober, the political overtones that shaped my reality are a constant source of discovery. When I first started seeking my truth, I was horrified...now so much makes perfect sense.

[stepnw1f]

44. Yup

and it's a constant exhausting battle for me. I get tired easily these days.

[truthisfreedom]

35. interesting. he sounds more sincere than rush limpbutt.

[Radio_Guy]

32. He is a very strong man

Good for him that he is facing up to it and doing the right thing. He is proving himself to be a true Kennedy. This nation should be proud of him.

:toast:

[no name no slogan]

38. Thank you, Rep. Kennedy

I've been hospitalized for depression before-- almost at the Mayo, last time, but there were no beds. They have an EXCELLENT program and will help him get the help he needs.

Thank you, Rep Kennedy, for helping to destigmatize this disease. :thumbsup:

[AlamoDemoc]

47. I recall meeting him at a fund-raising event in Providence, RI

He was very genuine and sociable person, as I recall. I don't recall seeing him drink or act out of the ordinary.

[TheCowsCameHome]

48. If he seeks help, wish him well. It could be any one of us.

At least he's not running from his problem.

[peter_the_great]

50. It's another case of Ambien sleep driving

It's another case of Ambien sleep driving. We need to get this drug off of the market.

""I simply do not remember getting out of bed, being pulled over by the police or being cited for three driving infractions," Kennedy said at a Washington news conference broadcast live on cable television." . . . .

Kennedy said he was disoriented from taking prescription drugs -- Phenergan to treat gastroenteritis and Ambien, a sleep medication -- and that he was rushing to the Capitol under the misapprehension that he was late for a vote."

http://ktla.trb.com/news/ktla-kennedyrehab,0,4104425.story?coll=ktla-news-1

[goclark]

53. Wish him well, with the drama that the family has endured

the probably need to all live at the Mayo Clinic.

Beautiful family, beautiful public servants yet they have to fight their demons publicly.

[truthisfreedom]

49. Ambien... confusion, strange behavior and hallucinations. fun drug, huh?

take a trip and not remember leaving the farm.

[hexola]

51. There has to be more than Ambien...

Ambien is relatively new drug, correct...?

I've been fighting this chronic disease since I was a young man, and have aggressively and periodically sought treatment so that I can live a full and productive life.

Is Ambien addictive?

[MountainMamma]

52. Good for you Patrick

for admitting the problem and seeking help is the first step
to getting honest with oneself.  PK's mother,Joan, has had her
problems with addictions over the years.  I'm sure that his
family will support him in his recovery efforts whole
heartedly.  Hopefully his fellow Rhode Islanders will too. 
All the best to you Patrick as you take one day at a time.