Lauren Stanforth and Casey Seiler are reporting in the Times Union State Senate Republican Majority leader John Flanagan released a statement Sun., Aug. 6, saying he recently completed treatment for an alcohol problem. The 56-year-old Long Island lawmaker has led the chamber for two years. He said he sought help for a problem that was worsened by the pressure of his leadership role. "Recently, I recognized that alcohol was becoming a crutch to deal with [the] pressure I was under related to my responsibilities as Majority Leader of the New York State Senate," Flanagan said. Flanagan's spokesperson said he did not know the length of the senator's course of treatment or where he received it. Flanagan was first elected to the Assembly in 1986 at age 25, following the sudden death of his father. He was elected to the Senate in 2002. Read the full story in the Times Union.