Rep. Jim Ramstad (R-Minn.), a nine-term member of Congress and longtime supporter of addiction treatment and recovery issues, has announced that he will retire at the end of his current two-year term in office, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported Sept. 17.

Ramstad, himself a recovering alcoholic, said he was "burned out" but also expressed his desire to see addiction and mental-health parity legislation passed in Congress before he leaves office next year.

"My passion for serving people remains as strong as ever, but after 17 years of commuting every week to Washington, it's time to be home with the people I love and miss," said Ramstad.

Ramstad said the parity bill, which he cosponsors with Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.), is "the legacy I want to leave."

Ramstad is considered one of the few remaining moderate Republicans in the House, and his departure is considered a blow for the GOP, which experts say could easily lose Ramstad's seat to the Democrats.