Rush: 30 Days is Not Enough

The UM List ^ | 10 Oct 03 | S.H. Zinser

[xzins]

There is nothing I would like more than to see Rush back on the radio. I've been one of his long-time fans. I will continue to be one.

However, I have watched rehabilitation programs and the people who use them for about two decades. The position of chaplain gives one an unusual vantage point. You aren't patient, or healthcare provider, or visitor. You are spiritual counselor to all of the above. You hear comments and thoughts of both clients and those close to them. You hear the concerns of those who provide care, who hope against hope that those who are addicted can do the hard work it takes to overcome.

You watch with consternation as an old patient, one in whom you'd had such hopes for success, walks back through the doors for one more shot at throwing off the chemical chains that bind. After a few revisits by the same person, you begin to see how difficult that success really is.

And you develop opinions. You have opinions about different treatment plans you've run across, opinions about the possible success of any given client, and opinions about the very act of change itself.

And so, let me say to you, Rush, as an experienced old chaplain who's seen a lot. Thirty days is a short program. I prefer the longer programs...especially when the client has in the past tried and failed to overcome. I prefer those in which the client sincerely gives up an old life and dedicates himself to a new one. The best symbol for this giving up is to go away for a long period of time to a full control facility.

Maybe it's the heart and dedication to give up the old life that makes it work better. Maybe it's the extra time to inculcate new attitudes, new healthiness, and a new vision.

And perhaps you won't come back as Rush Limbaugh. But...at least you'll come back whole again. This is a time that calls for humility, for full surrender. It calls for lengthy, painful sacrifice.

No longer the humor and hubris of "on loan from God, Himself," Rush.

Just another human with weaknesses. Human weakness.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

[ConservativeMan55]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/999233/posts

[Support Free Republic]

Got a minute?

I'd really like you to rub my ears,
or help out FR.

[xzins]

It isn't about a show.

It's about a human being in need of help.

[P-Marlowe]

If this guy is right, then it shouldn't take 30 minutes. If Jesus cleanses those who confess their sins and call upon him of all unrighteousness, then why would he need rehab at all? Would he not be a new creation?

Does Jesus need the help of rehab counselors to heal? Frankly many of the rehab counselors I have known have been active drug addicts and alcoholics. And they're the ones running the program.

[Servant of the 9]

How long rehab takes depends largely on why someone became addicted.
An addict has to cure the pain that caused the addiction before he can truly quit. If it is a mental pain, it may take years. If it is physical, as in Rush's case, addiction can be overcome much more easily once the pain is controlled.

SO9

[Dixielander]

Since you have some experience with addicts, I'm asking for your opinion. If Rush agreed to stay in rehab for a longer length of time, would it mar the effectiveness of the program if he were permitted to give his listeners and fans progress and status reports each day or so via radio?

[lowteksh]

I also have been involved in a supporting role to several rehab facilities and it is very common for people with addiction issues that have gone on many years to enter a 30 day program only to find out that it takes that long just to detox. When I first heard about this I thought it would take Rush at least 60 days to overcome this problem, and only then will his rehab be successful if he realizes that he's going to have to be a part of the N.A. program for many years to come. You can go into a rehab facility to detox, but 30 days or 60 days is not long enough to break the addiction to these drugs.

[A CA Guy]

The answer for Rush when he is back is this. The wife and he need to hire an assistant that is with him at all times he is not home and they could pay him $100,000 a year.

This keeps Rush from most of the trouble and in better health. Plus, Rush can afford it.

[dinok]

No man is a mountain, but mountains are conquered by men one step at a time.


God be with you Rush...

[Jorge]

It isn't about a show.

It's about a human being in need of help.

As one who's had to overcome several drug addictions, I can tell you that overcoming might very well be about Rush's show.....having goals and objectives is important element in kicking addictions.

[xzins]

And Jesus CAN instantly heal. And sometimes He doesn't take the route that we insist on.

Sometimes He uses doctors, nurses, staff, medication, healing time.

There are bad programs. But, there are also some very solid, honorable programs.

[fml]

--No longer the humor and hubris of "on loan from God, Himself," Rush. --

I disagree, when he returns he'll still be on loan from God, but pill addicted free. It is not is pain or the relief from that pain that God loaned us, it is his ability to share the gift of similar thinking (not feeling) conservative thoughts with so many who believe the same in a vast and open forum which we were all invited to share.

[xzins]

Good post.

[mlmr]

I work inpatient psych. There are new detox drugs that significantly reduce the detox and address the craving. We are using Naltrexone and there is a newer drug that we are just starting to use....duh cannot rememver its name. Detox is not fun. recovery work is key. Most of our detoxes are medical induced users with back pain or headaches.

[xzins]

Yep. Nice to have a mission.

But the point is that if the show is an impediment and not a help, then the person is more important than the show.

[P-Marlowe]

And Jesus CAN instantly heal.

Which is why this author is wrong. It can be done in 30 days. It can be done in 30 minutes. It can be done in 30 seconds. It can be done instantly.

So why the pessimism? The fact is that he doesn't need the doctors to beat this, he needs the Lord. By HIS stripes we are healed.

[xzins]

Yep. I agree. Seen too many short-program attendees walk right back to the old friendships and the old lifestyle.

[Moomah]

Excuse me, but isn't Rush's tag, " ... with TALENT on loan from God"? ... I'd say that everything we are and all that we have is on loan from God so where is the problem in that? I'd say Rush is more right-on that you might think.