On Sunday night, Andrew Gillum announced that he would be entering rehab for alcoholism, after he was found inebriated inside a South Beach hotel last week along with a man suspected of a crystal-meth overdose.
"After conversation with my family and deep reflection, I have made the decision to seek help, guidance and enter a rehabilitation facility at this time,” said the former Tallahassee mayor and gubernatorial candidate in a statement.
“This has been a wake-up call for me. Since my race for governor ended, I fell into a depression that has led to alcohol abuse. I witnessed my father suffer from alcoholism and I know the damaging effects it can have when untreated. I also know that alcoholism is often a symptom of deeper struggles. I am committed to doing the personal work to heal fully and show up in the world as a more complete person.”
Gillum, who is currently a contributor on CNN, also said he plans to focus on his family, and that he’ll no longer be involved in any “public facing roles for the foreseeable future.”
"I want to apologize to my family, friends and the people of Florida who have supported me and put their faith in me over the years,” added Gillum. "I ask that you respect my and my family’s privacy during this time. Thank you."
The 40-year-old Democrat who lost to Ron DeSantis in 2018, was found by police vomiting in a room at the Mondrian South Beach hotel last Thursday. Two other men, ldo Mejias and Travis Dyson, were also in the hotel room.
According to the police report, Dyson collapsed on the bed and was treated for a possible drug overdose, while officers also found three baggies of crystal meth on the bed and the floor.
The report does not specifically say if Gilllum used or possessed drugs.
Gillum released a statement on Friday, stating that he was in Miami for a wedding and that he drank too much. However, while speaking to the Miami New Times, Dyson said he did not know Gillum was in town for a wedding.
"I personally was not celebrating a wedding," said Dyson to the Times. "I don't know if [Gillum] was in town for a wedding. He did not mention that."
Gillum is also the head of Forward Florida, an organization aimed at registering voters.
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This article appears in Mar 12-19, 2020.