On May 5, 2006, the New York Times ran two stories, Patrick Kennedy Crashes Car into Capitol Barrier and then, several hours later, Patrick Kennedy Says He ll Seek Help for Addiction. It was the first time that the popular Rhode Island congressman had publicly disclosed his addiction to prescription painkillers, the true extent of his struggle with bipolar disorder and his plan to immediately seek treatment. That could have been the end of his career, but instead it was the beginning. Since then, Kennedy has become the nation s leading advocate for mental health and substance abuse care, research and policy both in and out of Congress.