Per Politico:
Rep. John Sullivan (R-Okla.), 44, has checked himself into the Betty Ford clinic in California for help with what he calls "my addiction to alcohol."
Politico again:
In a message to constituents obtained by the Tulsa World, Sullivan said he would be taking a leave of absence from Congress. He did not say how long he expected to be gone but said he looked forward "to returning to serve and work for you in the House of Representatives as soon as possible."
How many people could get a leave of absence from their work for an addiction problem? I don't know what the law says but I believe most of us would be looking for another job after we got out of rehab.
Politico once again:
Sullivan’s issues with alcohol surfaced during his 2004 reelection campaign against Democrat Douglas Dodd, when it was revealed he had been arrested or taken into custody several times relating to incidents ranging from public intoxication to scuffling with a police officer
Not only is this a self-inflicted wound, it is recidivism. Will he have to check into rehab again possibly in the middle of a crisis when the country needs it's congress to be at the top of their game? I wish him all the best but, perhaps he should resign to concentrate on his personal life and allow the Oklahoma people to find a congressperson who won't be distracted from doing the people's work by a battle with their own personal demons.
Update: As a fellow human I feel for this man and his family but as I am also one of his constituents, I feel I have a reasonable right to question if someone couldn't fill his shoes better at this point.