Olympic gold-medal winner Ryan Lochte intends to seek professional treatment for alcohol abuse.
Per TMZ Sports, Jeff Ostrow, Lochte's attorney, described the Olympian's problem as "serious" and said Lochte will be seeking immediate assistance to help him with the issue:
"Ryan has been battling from alcohol addiction for many years and unfortunately it has become a destructive pattern for him. He has acknowledged that he needs professional assistance to overcome his problem and will be getting help immediately.
"Ryan knows that conquering this disease now is a must for him to avoid making future poor decisions, to be the best husband and father he can be, and if he wants to achieve his goal to return to dominance in the pool in his 5th Olympics in Tokyo in 2020.