Rush Limbaugh: Open Line Friday [Confirms Some Aspects of Drug Story, Checking In To Rehab]

[I Am Not A Mod]

A thread for those listening to today's show.

[Skooz]

Those who know nothing about addiction are always an authority on the subject. Congratulations on your sobriety. I made my decision March 3, 1993.

Congrats. July 30, 1985. Every day is a gift from Jesus.

Jesus delivered me from addiction by the power of prayer alone. I have not been tempted to use drugs since then. I am still amazed.

[Cathryn Crawford]

Remember, everyone has their own personal failings. It's how one handles their failings that makes them who they are.

It also says something about the observers as to how they react.

[Qwinn]

I think there's a MASSIVE difference between being addicted to recreational drugs, and an addiction arising from a doctor's prescription.

I see absolutely nothing fake about being against recreational drug use and feeling sympathy for his situation.

Note that I say that from the outside. I am not someone who is hell bent pro-War on Drugs. I am for the legalization of marijuana, and I disagree with people who think -all- drug users need to be treated as criminals.

But this situation is markedly different from, say, being hooked on coke or heroin, and condemning one does not necessitate condeming the other for consitency's sake. The recreational addict made the initial mistake of -trying- the drug knowing the possible consequences - a patient who gets hooked by his doctor can't be considered as having even made that initial mistake.

The absolute BEST of us could become addicted to a drug that our doctor prescribed us. Especially if what I read on another thread is true, that this drug is supposed to be 5x as addictive as heroin.

Qwinn

[Rebelbase]

Congrats on your continued success.

I know a couple of people who have broken free from a crack additiction and one who has been freed from methadone. It takes a strong will and a lot of faith.

[A CA Guy]

More than likely he had several doctors unaware of cross prescribing of each doctor.

He is like a cancer patient in horrific pain. I know somebody with a ruined back like that.

It is not uncommon for addiction in hospitals to be caused after operations to the spine by aggressive medicating.

Speaks volumes about this needing to be addressed in the medical field.

[MrLeRoy]

So where did he get the pills?

Must the WOD, be brought into everything. Sheesh.

Who said anything about the War On Some Drugs?

[cogitator]

I really don't have any anger toward any of these folks -- not Rush, not the inner city junkie. So I don't want to see Rush go to jail.

Neither do I. But then, that would actually go against one of his "undeniable truths":

"There's a simple way to solve the crime problem: obey the law; punish those who do not."

So I wonder if Rush would agree that if he didn't obey the law (which has yet to be proven, of course), then he should be punished?

Well, either way, I hope he kicks his habit.

[Wolfie]

So I guess when he says "I accept full responsibility", he means it in a Janet Reno sort of way.

[Rockitz]

In my prayers, big guy!

[tophat9000]

Anyone who had lower back issues knows just how bad the pain can be

[Admin Moderator]

The Admin Mod stupidly pulled several threads til he realized Rush admitted he did have a real problem

The Admin Mod pulled several threads because the Admin Mod didn't want there to be dozens of threads about the same thing, with the discussion being fragmented all over the place. The Admin Mod was pretty sure this was coming. The Admin Mod had this thread up for that purpose, and The Admin Mod had it in breaking and the Admin Mod updated the title to reflect what he said as fast as the Admin Mod could while also taking care of pulling the dozen of duplicate threads.

If that wasn't up to your standards or expectations, well, sorry about that.

[areafiftyone]

ROFLMAO - I think you just gave a bunch of Freepers a heart attack! ;-)

[Monty22]

Isn't there some way to have these drugs only kill pain and not produce any 'positive' effects like feeling good? That's the only answer.

[1Old Pro]

I would hope that at some point he gets the back fixed.

That's what's worriesome. Some back problems aren't fixable and we know he tried once.

[mhking]

Severe back pain will drive Saints to drugs.

Damn right! Note that his admission is not that he had done anything illegal - only that he was addicted to prescription pain killers. There are those who insist that the source of the drugs is key. Until his lawyer gives him the OK to open up about that, I'd say that the point is not paramount; his good health is.

On a peripheral note, MSNBC has gone wall-to-wall with this, interviewing Jerry Nachmann, Pat Buchanan and now Steve Maltzberg on it.

[Yaelle]

From today's show, I can't help but feel that Rush reached down deep inside himself and mustered every ounce of strength to outlast recall-week just to avoid detracting CA voters from their problems (the real issue) and helping Davis.

I never thought of that. Wow, it's probably true. I assumed that he must have been or might still be addicted after reading the Enquirer story, and I listened hard every day to see if I could spot anything. It's been going on for 6 years, and I could spot no trace of anything. It's unbelievable how this man has managed to function. And I know he put a lot of effort into all his recent post-Enquirer shows to make sure they were absolutely tops. He puts excellence and his service above himself, that is for sure.

If he wanted to, he could have retired today.

Frankly, I do not think he could get through rehab if he did not have the show he loves to look forward to. This is going to be h#ll for him, and he needs that goal.

However, when he unties the other half of his brain, he is going to blast to the top of all ratings again. Whatever company sponsors his shows when he comes back, I am buying from them in triplicate. I hope it's not Hooters or I will have to be eating lunch with boobs in my face and as a breast-feeding Mommy I see enough of them all day long. LOL.

[Skooz]

have never been to rehab but I will celebrate 19 years on Sunday by the grace of God

Congratulations and Praise God!

[ALOHA RONNIE]

...RUSH's Top words of wisdom today was to ask us all what a Democrat Media that personally attacked a Guberntorial Candidate ARNOLD in California late in a Recall Campaign...

...would do to give us the wrong picture of our success in Iraq in Time of War..?

[AxelPaulsenJr]

No response:

This thread is about Rush a man that we love, who has admitted to a drug problem and has asked for our prayers. Which have been duly given.

Like many others, I deeply resent the attempt by the anti-woddies to turn this sad time into a crusade for their cause.

[rintense]

Agreed. I get low back pain from time to time due to other health issues, and the pain completely shuts me down. And yes, I will admit to 'self-medicating'- taking a vicodin for the back pain when it was prescribed for something else. Does it justify illegal activity? No. And I'm interested to see if the charges by the housekeeper are true.