Rush Limbaugh Statement on Prescription Pain Medication Stories

PRNewswire (Yahoo) ^ | Friday October 10, 2:55 pm ET | Rush Limbaugh

[ThePythonicCow]

Press Release

Source: Premiere Radio

Rush Limbaugh Statement on Prescription Pain Medication Stories
Friday October 10, 2:55 pm ET

NEW YORK, Oct. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Rush Limbaugh today issued the following statement on his radio program:

"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."

For audio/video clip(s) of Rush Limbaugh's on-air statement, please go to

www.rushlimbaugh.com and/or www.premieretalk.com.

---

Source: Premiere Radio

[gdani]

It will be a sad day for us Real Americans when you leftists figure out that your smug, hateful attitude is eroding support for whatever principles you still hold.

I'm no leftist. I think Rush has handled this the right way. However, I also don't support the War on Drugs.

My question was for those who do support the war on Drugs. Rush is an addict. He probably committed multiple felonies as a result.

If *you* are a supporter of the WOD then how do you square your support for it w/out thinking that Rush should be arrested, convicted & possibly imprisoned?

[Only1choice____Freedom]

The questions remains:

Is what he did illegal?

We'll have to wait for the correct answer on that one.

[ladtx]

I believe this kind of addiction after back surgery is common.

You're right. A close friend had back surgery several months ago and we were afraid she was getting addicted to the medication. Her husband even told us he thought she was addicted. It was a struggle but she gradually got off them and is fine now without going to rehab. They can get hold of you real quick.

[CobaltBlue]

Over the years I've known quite a few people who are addicted to prescription painkillers - all legal, prescribed by their doctors. Most of them it really interferes with the thought processes, slows them down mentally.

I am amazed that Rush functions as well as he does.

[KriegerGeist]

"It wouldn't surprise me if the pain medications were related to the hearing loss."

From a medical website:

"Doctors aren't yet entirely sure how Vicodin causes hearing loss. One theory is that the opiates damage the delicate hair cells inside the inner ear, which act like tiny microphones to transmit sound vibrations to the brain. The effect also may involve nerve endings in the ear called opioid receptors, which are sensitive to overstimulation."

[RightFighter]

So was Bret Favre:

Quarterbacks receive hit after hit, week after week. While on the field and in the course of treating various injuries, Favre developed an addiction to painkillers. While recovery from ankle surgery in a Green Bay hospital, he suffered a seizure. "I quit cold turkey," Favre told Peter King in the May 27, 1996 issue of Sports Illustrated, "and I entered the NFL substance-abuse program voluntarily. I don't want a pill now, but I want to go into a rehab center because I want to make sure I'm totally clean. The counselors I've seen think it's best for me. The one thing they've taught me is that there will always be a spot in your brain that wants it."

In May of 1996, Favre went public with his addiction and gave a press conference about his situation regarding his addiction to painkillers. At 5 a.m. the next day, he entered the Menninger Clinic, a rehabilitation center in Topeka, Kansas, where he stayed for 46 days. "I'm 26 years old, I just threw 38 touchdown passes in one year, and I'm the NFL MVP," he says. "People look at me and say, 'I'd love to be that guy.' But if they knew what it took to be that guy, they wouldn't love to be him, I can guarantee you that. I'm entering a treatment center tomorrow. Would they love that?"

[wimpycat]

I never took him to be particularly harsh on people with "troubles" and I don't see his drug addiction or his statement this afternoon as inconsistent with his previously stated views.

Just because he's a addicted to painkillers doesn't mean he's not against drugs. I'm sure lots of people do things that they are ordinarily against, and would advise their children and other people against doing. I believe you can be against something and still do it anyway. Nobody likes being addicted--to anything.

He says he's taking full responsibility for his addiction and is nobody's victim. That sounds like Rush to me.

[Voltage]

I have great sympathy for anyone who lives in constant pain. That was my mothers situtation for many years, finally he broke down and had BOTH shoulders replaced. The doctor said he had rarely seen such deteriorated shoulder joints. She has never regained full use of her arms, but at least the pain is reduced..but not eliminated. She can get by with over the counter meds now.

If you have not been in this situation you can only imagine!

[jimt]

I wonder who will be the first person who supports the War on Drugs to explain why Rush shouldn't be convicted & possibly imprisoned.

Rush himself has said as much about drug users.

Enquiring minds want to know.

This inquiring mind would like a) an apology, b) an admission he was wrong. There's not a dime's worth of difference between illegal drug use and illegal drug use.

People who say one thing and do another are rightly called hypocrites. Let's hope Rush recovers from both his pain and his addiction and dumps the pro WOsD stance.

[hchutch]

I make a distinction between addition to illegal drugs (which many athletes and actors have had to deal with) as opposed to an addiction to prescribed painkillers/drugs.

In the former case, one is brekaing the law with the first joint/line/rock/hit/whatever. The latter case is a different matter. It could sneak up on someone very easily, and even a good doctor might make a mistake on that front.

Not about to blacklist Rush over this - a lot will depend on the investigation, IMHO.

[Joe Hadenuf]

OMG he said something about these allegations!!!!!!

What about his lawyer, I thought you were suppose to keep your mouth shut until charges are filed......LOL to all those that believed this bull shiit.

[sc2_ct]

As C.S. Lewis said, we as Christians are living in occupied territory. It is understandable that even the best amonst us eventually succumbs to human weakness. What is important is that he is facing up to this honestly and with integrity. He is in my prayers, as you would be were you in his position.

I myself reserved judgement.

[Callahan]

On your way to the trash can, you better stop and have a heart to heart with your children:

"Kids, let this be a lesson to you. Not everyone lives up to the standards we set, so why set them at all? Aiming low is better than being a hypocrite. Just look at Bill Clinton."

[onyx]

Rush was surrounded by a host of enablers, that's for sure.

[GOPMark]

I have always been indifferent on Rush, but this statement was amazing. The whole part about not being a role model is a real class act, my prayers are with him and EVERY drug addict of all stripes.

[chimera]

First, if you're having pain from something, you don't anymore, so there is that sensation of relief. Many people also experience a side effect of elation, a sense of well-being, kind of a kick, an energizing feeling, like you're able to do more and just feel better. I think it varies somewhat with the individual.

While that may not sound all that bad or no big deal, it is because, like anything, if you come to depend on it for just normally feeling well, when you don't have it anymore you feel really, really lousy. Not a good condition to be in, I am guessing.

[Jaded]

Yeah, but nobody really cared about Kitty. Least of all the press. It was her husband's run for pres that led her down that path.... blah, blah, blah.

I think the biggest question was could he take 93 pills (give or take) a day and why would Rush Limbaugh skulk to the local Amoco or Denny's to swap cigar boxes with a housekeeper.

If he is addicted to prescription pain killers who is giving him the prescriptions? If there is no 'scrip then he's just addicted and there are no more hairs to split.

Too bad the vices and addictions of those in the left-outer-limits don't get this kind of press.

[MamaB]

It's scary, isn't it? I was still in school when all that happened but I have read about all of that over the years. He wasn't even able to pick up John.

[cksharks]

I take 5mg of oxycoden hydrocloride 4 times a day. I feel the relief but I take them with my transplant meds and do not abuse them. If the pain is not bad I do not take the pills. Sometimes I go for a coulpe of days without taking any. That is a small dose and they can be very addictive for many people.