Michael Phelps decides to go to rehab.
The world-renowned swimmer and Olympic gold medalist tweeted on October 5 that he has decided to go to rehab after his second DUI arrest.
"The past few days have been extremely difficult," he tweeted following his arrest last September 30. "I recognize that this is not my first lapse in judgment, and I am extremely disappointed with myself.”
After failing a field sobriety test on the day he was arrested, Phelps was taken to a Baltimore police station and charged with driving under the influence, excessive speeding and crossing double lane lines, People.com reports.
Maryland Transportation Authority police said Phelps was traveling 84mph in a 45mph zone. According to other police records, Phelps had a blood-alcohol level of .14 percent, above the Maryland legal limit of .08, and was ‘disoriented’ and ‘argumentative’
“I’m going to take some time away to attend a program that will provide the help I need to better understand myself.” He added, “Swimming is a major part of my life, but right now I need to focus my attention on me as an individual, and do the necessary work to learn from this experience and make better decisions in the future.”
USA Swimming Executive Director Chuck Wielgus released a statement after the incident, “We fully support Michael’s decision to place his health and well-being as the number one priority. His self-recognition and commitment to get help exhibit how serious he is to learn from this experience.”
Us Magazine reports that this was his second DUI after pleading guilty to drunk driving in November 2004. The swimmer was also photographed taking a bong hit in February 2009, which led to another public apology.
