In an interview with ABC News, President Bush talked openly about his past alcohol addiction. According to President Bush, “I doubt I’d be standing here if I hadn’t quit drinking whiskey, and beer and wine and all that.”
He went on to say, “Alcohol can compete with your affections. It sure did in my case, affections with your family, or affections for exercise.” Bush stated that he gave up drinking after a night on the town celebrating his 40th birthday in 1986.
President Bush opened up about his past alcohol abuse in order to encourage teens at the White House who had come for an event to help stop drug and alcohol addiction in their communities.
3 responses to “President Bush Talks Openly About Past Alcohol Addiction”
I dont understand why there is such on ordeal over public figures that have history of alcohol or drug use. The important thing is do they at the time they are in office? If I’m not mistaken everyone has a past and I’m sure 99% of the people have tried something they shouldnt have at one time or another.
The importance in coming forward about drug addiction for public figures goes hand in hand with the new trend towards “transparency” not only for politicians but for corporations as well. The more people are companies are transparent, the less they are thought to be hiding something, which adds to their credibility.
The second reason for public figures to come forward about past drug use is to role model for younger citizens and give them hope about kicking addictions and going on to lead successful and productive lives.
Along with the drinking or drugging, “addicts” exhibit certain behaviours. In active addiction, they are often decietful, dishonest, and manipulative. While it’s not a moral short-coming, it is the result of time spent using and attempting to hide their use, eventually causing a brain disease.
Therefore, it’s important to know that our public figures are not only abstinent from their drug of choice, but also have worked on their behaviours and cognitive processes that were infected by their addiction.