Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz., who has been absent from the Congress since last week, is in treatmen

[demmiblue]

Source: AZ Central/USA Today

Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz., who has been absent from the Congress since last week, is in treatment for alcohol dependence, she announced Wednesday in a written statement.

Kirkpatrick, 69, represents Arizona's 2nd Congressional District based in Tucson, and her announcement comes after a fall last week. She must undergo physical therapy for the fall, she said, but is expected to fully recover.

"I do, however, have another challenge I must face, which was the underlying cause of my fall," she said. "Beginning next week, I will receive treatment that I have struggled to ask for, to treat my alcohol dependence.

"I am finally seeking this help after struggling to do so in the past, and I am ready to admit that I, like countless other Americans, suffer from this disease. Hard work and determination — which have brought me success in life — have not been enough to win this battle. Other than being a wife, mother, and grandmother, the most important job in the world to me is representing my fellow Arizonans. I know I must get better in order to do my best in each of these roles."

Read more: https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2020/01/15/arizona-rep-ann-kirkpatrick-getting-treatment-alcohol-dependence/4478788002/

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Good luck on your sobriety, Rep. Kirkpatrick (and thank you for speaking out about the issue)!

[brooklynite]

1. Her public statement:

“I sincerely thank the many people who have reached out in support after my accident last week. The fall was serious, but with physical therapy I will fully recover. I do, however, have another challenge I must face, which was the underlying cause of my fall. Beginning next week, I will receive treatment that I have struggled to ask for, to treat my alcohol dependence.

“I am finally seeking this help after struggling to do so in the past, and I am ready to admit that I, like countless other Americans, suffer from this disease. Hard work and determination — which have brought me success in life — have not been enough to win this battle. Other than being a wife, mother, and grandmother, the most important job in the world to me is representing my fellow Arizonans. I know I must get better in order to do my best in each of these roles.

“With humility, I share this news with you. Throughout my time in public service, I have always said that you may not agree with me but you will know where I stand. I will continue to honor that commitment to transparency and communication. So while my immediate focus is on my rehabilitation and treatment, I am taking this important step forward with the full expectation and desire to return to work stronger and healthier and to continue serving my beloved Arizona.

“I am grateful to the people of Arizona whom I am privileged to serve, my amazing staff who work tirelessly on your behalf, and my infinitely supportive and loving family.

“During my absence, my congressional offices in Washington and Arizona will be fully operational, processing all constituent requests, meetings, activities and correspondence. My positions on all recorded votes will be submitted to the Congressional Record and made publicly available.

“From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your support.” – Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick

[SWBTATTReg]

2. My best wishes for her recovery...a horrible disease that takes so many down...nt

[lagomorph777]

3. Best wishes for sobriety.

And in my perfectly crass fashion, I hope her seat is safe enough that she can survive this politically.

[Midnight Writer]

4. Looking forward to her recovery and return to work.

[gopiscrap]

5. I am also a "Friend of Dr Bill"

for 25 years now. My heart is with her!!!

[TygrBright]

6. Frankly, I'm surprised the whole Democratic Caucus isn't in treatment...

...because dayum, if I had to deal with what they're dealing with, I'd be consuming alcohol from an effing firehose.

wearily,
Bright

P.S. And yes, thank you Rep. Kirkpatrick and best wishes for your recovery - may it rock!

[ancianita]

7. Ditto!

[Paladin]

8. Best wishes to Rep. Kirkpatrick.

There's nothing remotely humorous about alcohol dependence---but I'm betting trump and his goon followers exercise some poor taste in their responses to the Representative's problem. Fuck them, in advance.

[Sloumeau]

9. She's my Democratic rep here in Tucson.

She was elected in the 2018 wave. It was great to get her after that horrible McSally. I wish her nothing but the best.

[NecklyTyler]

10. Best wishes for recovery Representative Kirkpatrick.

Republicans wanting to express negative opinions can just STFU.

[ChazInAz]

11. Keep Comin' Back!

I've been trudging the road to happy destiny for thirty-eight years.

[zanana1]

12. Brave lady.

Courage is needed to undergo treatment for alcohol dependence. The physical detox is awful, but the emotional and mental rehab takes a lot longer and is quite as challenging. I went that route 42 years ago. It was five years before I could dance sober. No "liquid courage" made me pretty meek.
But let me tell anyone out there who is an alcoholic with a wish to stop drinking; IT IS TOTALLY WORTH IT! Every July 27th, I buy myself a cake (and eat about half of it). There are no calories in sobriety cake!