STORM2K

bfez1 wrote:Rush Limbaugh Admits Addiction to Painkillers, Will Enter Rehab

Rush wrote:"You know I have always tried to be honest with you and open about my life. So I need to tell you today that part of what you have heard and read is correct. I am addicted to prescription pain medication.

"I first started taking prescription painkillers some years ago when my doctor prescribed them to treat post surgical pain following spinal surgery.

"Unfortunately, the surgery was unsuccessful and I continued to have severe pain in my lower back and also in my neck due to herniated discs. I am still experiencing that pain. Rather than opt for additional surgery for these conditions, I chose to treat the pain with prescribed medication. This medication turned out to be highly addictive.

"Over the past several years I have tried to break my dependence on pain pills and, in fact, twice checked myself into medical facilities in an attempt to do so. I have recently agreed with my physician about the next steps.

"Immediately following this broadcast, I am checking myself into a treatment center for the next 30 days to once and for all break the hold this highly addictive medication has on me. The show will continue during this time, of course, with an array of guest hosts you have come to know and respect.

"I am not making any excuses. You know, over the years athletes and celebrities have emerged from treatment centers to great fanfare and praise for conquering great demons. They are said to be great role models and examples for others. Well, I am no role model. I refuse to let anyone think I am doing something great here, when there are people you never hear about, who face long odds and never resort to such escapes. They are the role models. I am no victim and do not portray myself as such. I take full responsibility for my problem.

"At the present time, the authorities are conducting an investigation, and I have been asked to limit my public comments until this investigation is complete.

"So I will only say that the stories you have read and heard contain inaccuracies and distortions, which I will clear up when I am free to speak about them.

"I deeply appreciate all your support over this last tumultuous week. It has sustained me. I ask now for your prayers. I look forward to resuming our excursion into broadcast excellence together."

j wrote:Rush handled this with class, dignity, and as always (as he preaches) accepts full responsibility for his actions, and blames nobody but himself.

Addiction to Prescription drugs is a much larger problem than many people realize. As I've said before, being addicted to prescription medicine, does not make a person void of character or integrity. My 78 year old Mother-in-Law went into Geriatric Ward for the very same problem. Years and years of prescription after prescription written with little to no regard to the ensuing addiction. An addiction to Pain killers will produce a most severe, migrane quality headache with just a single dose missed. You, me, or the girl next door can easily become addicted to these drugs, especially if the operations to relieve pain, do not work as intended.

Judging by his statement, the allegations of illegal use are as expected, distorted and full of in-accuracies.

It will be a month before I listen to his show again, because there is no substitute.

Lindaloo wrote:It all depends on the circumstances to be deemed "illegal activity" I have a very good friend who was the coroner here who had an addiction to the painkiller Lortab. He never did anything illegal because the doctor kept prescribing them to him. He admitted he had a problem, checked himself into rehab and kicked it. Does this mean he is a bad person? Indeed not!!

sunnyday wrote:If any good can come out of this sad situation for Rush, maybe it will be that the people who blindly follow him and say ditto to every word he utters will see that he is only a man with faults like everyone else, and maybe they will begin to think for themselves again!