Yes, there are such things as "functional" addicts, but as I said it leads to other addictions and contradictory behaviors. Also, the addiction is never static, it must be dealt with or it eventually destroys the addict. How could a barbituate addict possibly recover in time to perform in time for a public event? If your functional addict was ingesting an equivalent amount of alchohol to 30 pills of a powerful barbituate, he could not wake up in time for work the next morning.
Rush Limbaugh has a very busy schedule. He does not have the ability to be known as being different "after hours" without being found out. In addition, we are talking about a very large number of pills per day and a very powerful drug. It is like saying a herion addict who shoots up every day could successfully be in front of the public the way Limbaugh is. I cannot imagine it.
It is interesting that you pointed out that the person you knew was a chain-smoker. It sounds like it would be part of his addiction. I would wager that part of his "after-hours" behaviors included any or all of the above; gambling, hookers, or other high risk activities. Rush Limbaugh is an ex-smoker. He gave up his addiction to cigarettes. He entered into a committed relationship and has stayed married. He regularly goes to speaking engagements and public events. He is well prepared for his show and is well informed with no lapse in preparation or knowledge. How is he leading a double life? I just do not see it.
I don't know anything about barbituates, but the alcoholic I know would sleep maybe four hours a night, because, as you know, it is typical for alcoholics to fall into a deep sleep from the alcohol, but then wake up too early and not be able to go back to sleep. The alcoholic I know would wake up around 4am every morning and do stuff on the computer (like games.)
Rush Limbaugh has a very busy schedule. He does not have the ability to be known as being different "after hours" without being found out. In addition, we are talking about a very large number of pills per day and a very powerful drug. It is like saying a herion addict who shoots up every day could successfully be in front of the public the way Limbaugh is. I cannot imagine it.
I have no idea, once again, how these different drugs work, but I did know a few guys in college who did cocaine along with their college courses.
It is interesting that you pointed out that the person you knew was a chain-smoker. It sounds like it would be part of his addiction. I would wager that part of his "after-hours" behaviors included any or all of the above; gambling, hookers, or other high risk activities.
No, the addict I know did not and does not do any of that stuff. I did know a gambling addict, who was also an overeater, and sadly, he never got it together.
Rush Limbaugh is an ex-smoker. He gave up his addiction to cigarettes. He entered into a committed relationship and has stayed married. He regularly goes to speaking engagements and public events. He is well prepared for his show and is well informed with no lapse in preparation or knowledge. How is he leading a double life? I just do not see it.
Truly, that all makes sense, what you say, but I only consider the possibility because of the addicts I have known who have carried on big careers and earned lots of money-- and yes, sometimes got divorced because their spouse didn't want to be an enabler.