HEALTH : Kitty Dukakis in Alcohol Clinic

Kitty Dukakis, the wife of Gov. Michael S. Dukakis, has entered an alcohol treatment program in Newport, R.I., according to a statement issued by the governor’s press office today that blamed the letdown after his failed presidential campaign.

Mrs. Dukakis, 52, has had a history of addictions and chemical dependency but was never known to be dependent on alcohol until the statement released today. In July, 1987, she announced that she had recovered earlier from a 26-year dependency on diet pills. The governor’s wife said she had conquered her addiction to amphetamines, which she had hidden from her husband.

Dukakis said his wife entered the Edgehill Newport facility Sunday evening and will stay there for about 30 days. “Until shortly after Election Day on Nov. 8, Kitty had never had a problem with alcohol,” Dukakis said. He said the stress of the campaign and the post-election letdown had caused his wife “on a limited number of occasions, while at home” to use alcohol in excessive quantities.