OK, why? If the drug gets rid of the pain, why quit? Why not just stay on the drug? So he's addicted, so what? If you just maintain enough to take care of the pain and no more, I don't see what the big deal is. Yeah maybe it made him deaf, we don't really know that, but that damage has been done.
When I worked in drug treatment there would almost always be people that were addicted to prescription drugs. Some for pain, some for emotional issues but all very addicted.
During group sessions patients that were on prescription drugs would very often make the excuse that their addiction is not as bad as the coke head sitting next to them. With few exceptions those that failed to realize that their addiction was not any better than others would fail in their treatment.
All I am saying is that it is a disservice to Rush to claim that his addiction is different than the coke head in Rush's treatment center.
At first I did not believe the reports about Rush and now I must. It is heartbreaking not only to think how someone so strong could fall victim to drugs, but also to think of the pain he will go through to reach recovery.