On Sept. 30, Michael Phelps was arrested in Baltimore on suspicion of a DUI and quickly took to his Twitter to apologize to his fans for exercising bad judgment. It wasn't the first time the Olympic champion swimmer had gotten behind the wheel while inebriated, either. In 2004, he was also popped for a DUI and offered up a similar kind of apology as well as a promise to use better judgment in the future. At this point, Phelps seems to be admitting he needs more help to reel in his notorious partying. Phelps posted a message to fans on his Facebook page, admitting it's time to enter rehab.
"The past few days have been extremely difficult. I recognize that this is not my first lapse in judgment, and I am extremely disappointed with myself," he wrote. "I'm going to take some time away to attend a program that will provide the help I need to better understand myself.
"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."
Sources confirm Phelps is headed to rehab to get his demons under control so he can improve the quality of his life while moving forward.
Are you surprised an athlete like Phelps has found himself battling an addiction issue? It seems many elite athletes struggle a bit once their Olympic careers end and it's time to go in a different direction. Do you think part of Phelps's struggle is connected to trying to figure out what to do with the rest of his life? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
