Rep. Patrick Kennedy Receiving Treatment

Rhode Island Congressman Patrick Kennedy, the son of Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy, has checked himself into a medical facility for treament.

Rep. Kennedy is back in rehab for a drug or alcohol relapse, according to sources close to the congressman in Washington. He's wrestled for many years with bipolar disorder, addiciton to OxyContin and bouts of binge drinking. He's also been a leading voice in Congress on mental health issues.

All this comes as his 77-year-old father, Sen. Edward Kennedy, is wrestling with a brain tumor.

The Democrat from Rhode Island sought treatment three years ago after an early morning car crash near the U.S. Capitol. He called his recovery a "lifelong process" in a written statement Friday and said he'll do whatever it takes to preserve his health.

Kennedy was first elected to Congress from Rhode Island's First District in 1994. His people say that if all goes well, he should be back in the office around July 4.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.