Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy Statement

May 5, 2006

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. The recurrence of an addiction problem can be triggered by things that happen in every day life, such as taking a common treatment for a stomach flu. That's not an excuse for what happened Wednesday evening, but it's a reality of fighting a chronic condition for which I'm taking full responsibility.

I am deeply concerned about my reaction to the medication and my lack of knowledge of the accident that evening. But I do know enough to know that I need to seek expert help. This afternoon, I'm traveling to Minnesota to seek treatment at the Mayo Clinic to ensure I can continue on my road to recovery. The greatest honor of my public life is to serve the people of Rhode Island, and I'm determined to address this issue so that I can continue to fight for the families of Rhode Island with the same dedication and rigor that I have exemplified over the last decade.

I hope that my openness today and in the past, and my acknowledgement that I need help, will give others the courage to get help if they need it. I am blessed to have a loving and supportive family who is in my corner, and I am grateful to my friends, especially those in Rhode Island, who have reached out to me. Thank you for your prayers and your support.

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