"For some people, politics becomes an obsession," said Terry Madonna, with Franklin & Marshall College. "It can just become so ingrained in who they are ... that they can't give up the stage."
Political figures struggling with addiction have dominated the news cycle in recent weeks, with embattled Toronto Mayor Rob Ford at the forefront of notoriety.
Local politicians, too, have battled drug and alcohol problems in the public eye. Nazareth Councilman Chris Audenried is the latest example after his second drinking-related offense within the span of a year.
The 50-year-old councilman was found passed out in a running vehicle Nov. 14 at a Bushkill Township park, according to police. He's been charged with drunken driving, DUI with the highest rate and possession of an open container of alcohol, court records indicate. Audenried's blood-alcohol content was 0.31, according to police.
Audenried had entered a first-time offenders' program for a public drunkenness charge from January, where he was found in his vehicle with an open bottle of vodka, according to authorities.
Last summer, former state Rep. Joe Brennan was arrested in an assault and drunken driving incident. He served a short prison sentence on the DUI charges before getting work release in February and being released on parole by April. Brennan did not seek re-election after his latest brush with the law but was hired at the House Democratic caucus' Legislative Policy and Research Office.
The media attention such figures garner can lead to deceptive conclusions about the prevalence of politicians who suffer from substance abuse, according to Terry Madonna, director for the Center for Politics and Public Affairs at Franklin & Marshall College.
"I think politicians are much more careful about this now," Madonna said. "One too many drinks is a career-ender for many political folks. I find it more of deterrent, if you're a politician."
Addiction affects 'all walks of life'
Experts in the field say addiction — whether to alcohol or drugs — is certainly not a phenomenon exclusive to any gender, race or career.
"Addiction doesn't discriminate," said Elizabeth Miller, assistant administrator with the Northampton County office of Drug and Alcohol. "All walks of life have addiction issues."
A 2007 study by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration examined substance use and workplace testing policies. An updated study is expected sometime next year, according to the officials with the agency.
The 2007 study reported 9 percent, or about 10 million workers around the nation, reported heavy alcohol use in the previous month — the number was highest at 16 percent among 18- to 25-year-olds.
Some political careers, including those of legislators, were lumped in with managerial careers while other government jobs fell under the public administration title.
The report shows that within the management and administrative umbrella, 11 percent reported illicit drug use. Among public administration, that figure dips to 4 percent.
About 10 percent reported heavy alcohol use within the management and administrative category while 6 percent of those in public administration careers did the same.
Stigma can prevent treatment
One thing does persist across the board, however, according to those in the substance abuse field. And that's stigma.
"The stigma is that people are weak and they succumb to drugs and alcohol and become addicted," Miller said. "The concept that is more accepted in the field is that it's a disease."
Miller said she believes the stigma attached to alcoholism and drug addictions prevent some people from getting help when they need it.
Shawn Buskirk, deputy director for the Warren County Department of Health and Human Services, said self-awareness is the key to getting help for an addiction issue.
"Sometimes the agent of change is a crisis event that brings them to seek help," Buskirk said. "We don't want to see people reach (rock bottom). We want to get to them before that."
But effective treatment requires cooperation, Miller said.
"The clincher is that person has to want to change. That's the difficult part," she said.
County departments can offer services that some people are unaware exist and can cover the costs of detoxification and rehabilitation for qualified individuals who have no insurance or have plans that don't help, according to Miller and Buskirk.
Treatment is paramount to recovery, they said.
"The most important thing is ... not just talking the talk but walking the walk," Buskirk said. "Your action, behavior and motions have to all be consistent."
Resignation doesn't come easy
But should politicians struggling with these issues give up their jobs?
Resigning can be incredibly difficult for a public official, Madonna said.
"For some people, politics becomes an obsession," Madonna said. "It can just become so ingrained in who they are ... that they can't give up the stage. Power and being in politics ... it's an elixir that becomes all-consuming on some people."
When to step down is an answer varying widely from situation to situation, Madonna said. A first-time offender can expect some leeway from the public, but continued offenses can become problematic, he said.
"If you become a repeat offender, there's a pretty high expectation that you give up your job," Madonna said. "You lose your credibility."
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CALL FOR HELP:
These county departments offer services that can help with battling addiction. Call to learn more:
- Warren County: 908-475-6331
- Northampton County: 610-697-5800
- Lehigh County: 610-437-7742