Kennedy says he has sought treatment for OxyContin

NEW YORK --U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy, who entered rehab last year after an early morning car crash outside the U.S. Capitol, said Friday he had sought treatment months before the crash for an addiction to OxyContin, a prescription pain medication.

The Rhode Island Democrat said in an appearance on NBC's "Today" show he felt great as he continued his recovery from substance abuse and was determined not to let the disease "take its toll on me ever again."

When he checked into the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota in May after crashing his car, Kennedy said at the time he had also been at the clinic the previous Christmas. He said he only was addicted to "pain medication" but did not specify that he was addicted to OxyContin.

Kennedy has been open about his struggles with mental illness, including bipolar disorder and his addictions to alcohol and various substances. He said it didn't matter what substance he was addicted to.

"Even though I had detoxified from pain medication, one thing you learn as an addict is you can substitute anything for your main addiction," Kennedy said.

Kennedy said Friday that his public profile helped him after he checked into rehab because it has prompted other recovering alcoholics and addicts to approach him. Still, he acknowledged being hesitant to admit his addictions publicly because he said he felt ashamed.

"I am also feeling that same sense of stigma in my life, and that's why I can empathize with millions of Americans who feel that sense of shame at calling themselves addicts and alcoholics," Kennedy said.

Kennedy appeared with U.S. Rep. Jim Ramstad to promote legislation that requires equal health insurance coverage for mental and physical illnesses. Ramstad, a Minnesota Republican, is a recovering alcoholic and is Kennedy's sponsor in recovery.

After spending a month at the Mayo Clinic, Kennedy pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of prescription drugs and was re-elected to a seventh term in November.