Tulsa World: A congressman's call: Sullivan details addiction, decision to seek help

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A congressman's call: Sullivan details addiction, decision to seek help

U.S. Rep. John Sullivan says he checked himself into a treatment center after realizing how his drinking was affecting his family, Daniel, 6 (from left); his wife, Judy; Sydney, 9; Tommy, 15; and Meredith, 11. STEPHEN PINGRY / Tulsa World

By JIM MYERS World Washington Bureau
Published: 7/5/2009 2:28 AM
Last Modified: 7/5/2009 5:56 AM

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. John Sullivan said his surprise announcement in late May that he had checked into a California treatment center for alcohol addiction was not triggered by a single incident.

"No," said the Republican lawmaker, who now admits he is not only an alcoholic but a "periodic binge drinker."

"I know people were thinking some shoe was going to drop — I got a DWI, did something awful."

Instead, Sullivan said, he experienced "one of those moments of just clarity" that people with addictions have.

"I just can't live like this," the 44-year-old recalls thinking.

"I had just a lot of negative feelings, guilt, shame, remorse about it, and I just want to be a better person, better man, better husband, better father."

He describes how drinking, which he said he sometimes did not do for years at a time, was impacting his family.

"I was snappy with my kids, yelling at them, arguing with my wife in front of them," Sullivan said.

"It just got worse. My kids saw it. I was setting a horrible example."

He said promises to quit were broken.

"I was basically lying to them," the congressman said.

Sullivan made the comments in a telephone interview on Thursday, more than a month after checking himself into rehab and almost a week after returning to Tulsa.

Sullivan said he made his decision to enter the Betty Ford Center in California in the middle of the Memorial Day congressional recess

in late May.

He checked himself in on May 28, and the congressman's office released a statement the next afternoon.

"It was one of the best experiences I think I have had in my life," he said of his stay at Betty Ford.

"It really helped me focus on alcoholism, the disease of alcoholism, my issue with it."

Sullivan said he chose the California center with his wife's help.

"It was just a personal choice," he said when asked why he chose the Betty Ford Center over treatment centers in Oklahoma.

"I just heard good things about it."

Conceding he is still a bit embarrassed over having to seek treatment and then discussing it publicly, Sullivan said his treatment changed his perspective on the disease of alcoholism.

He said he learned his body processes alcohol differently than others and how that helped lead to his binge drinking, even after not drinking at all for sometimes as long as six years.

"That was strange. That was the hard part for me to understand," Sullivan said, adding that he now knows total abstinence is his only acceptable option with alcohol.

The congressman had talked publicly about the problems alcohol had caused during his teen years.

Shortly after his first election to Congress in 2002, he told high school students that he finally had eliminated drinking from his life.

Despite his earlier experiences, he now says he never identified with the disease of alcoholism.

"I also thought an alcoholic was a guy under a bridge cooking a squirrel on a stick," Sullivan said.

With his month-long leave from Congress now over, Sullivan plans to return to Washington this week when the Independence Day recess ends.

Sullivan expressed appreciation for the letters and support he received from other members of Congress, constituents and friends.

"People were very kind, and it meant a lot to me," he said, adding the support came from both sides of the aisle.

"Our delegation was very helpful to me."

Sullivan also said he had spoken of his struggle over alcohol with Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., who has sought treatment for similar problems.

"He has been helpful," he said. "We have become pretty good friends. He actually called me before I went in."

He said serving in Congress was not a factor in his drinking, and he wants to run for re-election next year.

"No, I mean I drank before I got in Congress. I don't think it matters, the external things," Sullivan said.

"Monkeys eat bananas. Alcoholics drink."

Jim Myers (202) 484-1424
jim.myers@tulsaworld.com By JIM MYERS World Washington Bureau

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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "Sunday: Sullivan discusses his alcohol addiction," which was published on 7/4/2009.

	Report Comment Check It out, Tulsa (7/4/2009 4:09:11 PM) I appreciate his candor but while he is doing the hard work of getting his life together, don't the people of this state deserve to be represented in Washington? Please step aside so someone else can do the job you are being paid to do.
	Report Comment tweedles, tulsa (7/4/2009 4:14:57 PM) God Bless him and his family. Keep fighting John!
	Report Comment 2ndjoyce, BA (7/4/2009 4:18:51 PM) Wanting to be better is the first great step, John. Good luck to you!
	Report Comment Shirley S, (7/4/2009 4:32:39 PM) I am honored to be represented by a man who is big enough to say he has a problem and is willing to get help! He has done a fine job of representing the people of Oklahoma Thank you for your honesty John...that speaks volumns about your character. Everyone is human...
	Report Comment spirit07, Tulsa (7/4/2009 4:44:02 PM) John, glad you got help. Though I don't agree with your99% Bush voting record. Why does my beloved Tulsa keep electing you. I wish you would go away!
	Report Comment Bullhead, Nicut (7/4/2009 4:46:54 PM) Even though I don't believe his explanation for taking this step, I'm glad he took it. But first, quit lying to yourself John and it will be easier to follow through with the rest of your sober life. God bless you and your family. I pray you can do it.
	Report Comment Grand Old Partier, Owasso (7/4/2009 4:54:36 PM) I wonder if the good people of Rhode Island were calling for Rep Patrick Kennedy to step aside while he entered drug rehab for prescription drug addiction? The answer is no, in fact he was given a show of support three days later by the RI Democrat Party with an official endorsement. Sullivan manned up, got help and is now back on the job.
	Report Comment Tony G, Tulsa (7/4/2009 5:00:21 PM) An honorable man, would step down, knowing his condition has compromised his effectiveness.
	Report Comment Bill Paddock, (7/4/2009 5:09:27 PM) I look forward to reading the entire article but based on this, I have great respect for John Sullivan. He certainly shows more integrity than most of the people leaving comments here.
	Report Comment tfromtulsa, Tulsa (7/4/2009 5:21:38 PM) Grand Old Partier - But it's a sign of character when a Democrat admits they have an addiction. You know the rules.
	Report Comment jess, (7/4/2009 5:22:37 PM) Wish Obama would admit he is an egomaniac and go somewhere to get some treatment for it.
	Report Comment tfromtulsa, Tulsa (7/4/2009 5:23:07 PM) TonyG - Are you saying the Kennedys were not honorable men?
	Report Comment TK1, (7/4/2009 5:48:09 PM) The step aside crowd is the same bunch that promised a big scandal story after the first announcement. If you want to throw every senator and representative out of office that is currently out on medical leave, you've got a big job ahead of you. While you're at it, you might put a requirement in that if you're running for a higher office (like presidency) then you need to step down from Congress, too. Wouldn't that be the honorable thing to do, Tony?
	Report Comment NOT JADED, Tulsa (7/4/2009 5:48:42 PM) GOP- You mean his own party supported him. Shocking.
	Report Comment tfromtulsa, Tulsa (7/4/2009 6:01:45 PM) Ayo - I'm sure he'll be crushed to hear that, since your opinion is probably so important to him.
	Report Comment tfromtulsa, Tulsa (7/4/2009 6:05:40 PM) Thanks, Buster. I do what I can.
	Report Comment tfromtulsa, Tulsa (7/4/2009 6:14:37 PM) You, too, Buster! Happy 4th to everyone!
	Report Comment Grand Old Partier, Owasso (7/4/2009 6:23:48 PM) Happy Dependence Day everyone!
	Report Comment Graybeard, Tulsa (7/4/2009 6:30:31 PM) I'm not a Sullivan fan, but would hope he is announcing his weakness and therapy for the right reasons and doesn't have a skeleton coming out of the closet. Chickens that get out usually come home to roost.
	Report Comment heynow, (7/4/2009 6:50:09 PM) Yet another Republican hypocrite.
	Report Comment TtownTimmy, (7/4/2009 6:51:57 PM) I've known John since I was in grade school. He always wanted to serve his country. When the rest of us in high school had no clue what we were going to do with our lives, John always said he wanted to serve our country in some capacity. Yes, he has his flaws...we all do...but he's openly discussed it and I admire him for that. I haven't talked to John in many years but I am proud of him as a friend and as an honorable person who wants nothing more than to make Oklahoma a better place for all of us.
	Report Comment Bullhead, Nicut (7/4/2009 6:52:58 PM) Ayo, I'm sure your opinion is important to Sullivan... if he's any kind of polition, that is. I'm very happy he says he's had an epiphany and is getting help even though I too do not beleive his reason. -------------------------------- spirit07, said: "Cherry Buster, ya sum sert a child pedophile with a name like that. Sick name your prevert" I totally agree, spirit.
	Report Comment Bullhead, Nicut (7/4/2009 6:55:17 PM) Ayo, I'm sure your opinion is important to Sullivan... if he's any kind of politician, that is. I'm very happy he says he's had an epiphany and is getting help even though I too do not beleive his reason. -------------------------------- spirit07, said: "Cherry Buster, ya sum sert a child pedophile with a name like that. Sick name your prevert" I totally agree, spirit.
	Report Comment Few Clothes, Austin, TX (7/4/2009 6:59:10 PM) It doesn't matter whether it's the reason or not, he stepped up to the plate and admitted his addiction and I wish him well.
	Report Comment TLFKRF, Tulsa (7/4/2009 7:27:04 PM) If only Ted Kennedy would have gotten help maybe he would not be a killer today.

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