Tulsa - John Sullivan is getting back to work after a one month leave from Congress. Sullivan said his treatment for alcoholism was a long-time coming.

News Channel 8 spoke with him at length last week. He talked about the binge drinking he had quit many times over the years. He said he decided to do something, because he got tired of letting his family down.

"I was doing it at home a lot, my children got to see it. I would argue with my wife, not be there for my kids like I would like to be. I knew I needed to address this issue," said Sullivan.

Sullivan will tell you drinking did not hurt him that much. Even when he was drinking, he said he worked-out regularly and got his job done. It was his loved ones who paid a price.

"They wanted to do things, and I wouldn't the next day when I'm hung over or don't feel too good. I wasn't there for them either, and might be snappy with them, and tell them, 'Get outta here.' I'd argue with my wife, and I feel terrible about that. It's not the way I want to be." explained Sullivan.

For Sullivan failing his kids started with drinking when he was a teenager. He began by sharing some Coors Light with his high school buddies. He would drink on and off, binging and then giving it up for years. But abstinence was never permanent, so after breaking promises to quit he said he finally decided he had to put his family first.

"I don't mean this to be in any way insulting, but there's no car accident, no lawsuit, nothing behind the curtain that will pop-out later?" asked News Channel 8. "There's no car accident, no DWI, no lawsuit, nothing like that," assured Sullivan.

Sullivan says modern family life is tough enough under normal circumstances.

"When you have an alcoholic like me in the mix it really complicates things, and it did especially my older two children. I think it did affect them, and I'm sorry for that. I'm going to keep working on that, and as I get better in my recovery I'll make amends, living amends to them and my wife," said Sullivan.

Sullivan said he has received a lot of support from the public, and only one nasty letter. He also wants to make up for lost time in Congress. With the current Democratic majority he will tell you his party needs all the help it can get right now.

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