We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Help for the addict-in-chief.
- Authors
Riessman, Frank
- Abstract
This article discusses a possible solution to the presidency crisis brought about by the addictive behavior of U.S. President Bill Clinton. There is no doubt that Clinton is a victim of a serious addiction. He is almost a textbook case, in fact, characterized by denial, incredibly poor judgment, and continuing compulsive acts that are threatening to him and all he values. He needs a period of relief from his duties. Under the 26th Amendment, he can sign his duties over to Vice President Al Gore and resume them when he is well. The president needs intense rehabilitation lest he remain in office and continue to expose the country to the consequences of his own addiction. Serious addiction requires more than occasional visits with his accountability group. Successful addiction interventions require attendance in mutual aid groups with other addicts and all-embracing, time-intensive treatment. Clinton would not only be helping himself and the addicts in the group, but modeling to the world the appropriate steps necessary to achieve recovery. With almost anyone else, diagnosis of illness at this level and the prescription of immediate and protracted help would be apparent. However, because of the political implications of Clinton's acknowledging his illness, nothing has been done about it.
- Subjects
CLINTON, Bill, 1946-; PRESIDENTS of the United States; COMPULSIVE behavior; ADDICTIONS; UNITED States politics &; government
- Publication
Social Policy, 1998, Vol 29, Issue 1, p6
- ISSN
0037-7783
- Publication type
Article