Phelps taking break from swimming after DUI

BALTIMORE, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps says he's taking a break from swimming so he can "attend a program" to "better understand" himself after a drunken driving arrest last week.

Phelps was arrested for driving under the influence Tuesday in Baltimore. He failed a field sobriety test and had a blood alcohol content of .14, nearly twice the legal limit in the state of Maryland.

He was charged with DUI, excessive speed and crossing double lane lines. It was his second drunken driving arrest.

Tuesday afternoon he took to Twitter to apologize for his actions and "take full responsibility."

Phelps returned to Twitter Sunday in a series of posts to say he was disappointed in himself.

The past few days have been extremely difficult.

— Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) October 5, 2014

I recognize that this is not my first lapse in judgment, and I am extremely disappointed with myself.

— Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) October 5, 2014

The swimmer said he planned to take a break to "attend a program" to work on himself.

I'm going to take some time away to attend a program that will provide the help I need to better understand myself.

— Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) October 5, 2014

Swimming is a major part of my life, but right now I need to focus my attention on me as an individual,

— Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) October 5, 2014

and do the necessary work to learn from this experience and make better decisions in the future.

— Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) October 5, 2014

Phelps is the most decorated Olympian of all time with 22 medals, 18 of them gold.