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

[MamaB]

I can not imagine the kind of pain associated with back surgery.

[LanPB01]

I hope he does get through this. However, I'd just feel a little better about the situation if I felt more Freepers were being consistent in what they generally wish upon addicts. Just because someone has done wonders for the conservative cause doesn't mean we can't acknowledge his shortcomings. Otherwise, we look like a bunch of Clinton Kool-Aid drinkers, willing to compromise our beliefs if they negatively apply to one of our heroes.

[aruanan]

Rush takes responsibility, asserts he is not a victim, and asks for prayers.

Getting addicted to painkillers used to treat a medical condition is just another treatment risk one runs. There's no more moral dimension to this than there is to someone's risking brain damage from cardiac surgery.

[Hermann the Cherusker]

What an idiot.

And he lectures the liberals.

[dawn53]

I am amazed that Rush functions as well as he does

This amazes me too. My husband has an arthritic hip, the docs have given him pain pills (Vicodin), but he absolutely cannot take one on a work day because he says he can't think when he takes one.

[LiteKeeper]

SPOTREP - RUSH

[Pan_Yans Wife]

It must be wonderful to be such a strong moral figure that you yourself will never have to worry about succumbing to weakness. I wish I had that same self-confidence.

[gdani]

He probably committed multiple felonies as a result.

What is it on this site with the rush to judgement?

I said "probably".

In most (and probably all) states & municipalities, "drug abuse" (or it's equivalent language) is a crime & does indeed cover even those drugs that can be legally obtained through prescription.

[Ima Lurker]

Unfortunately that statement is true, not "liberal spin". I am just floored by this. If Rush hadn't admitted it I never would have believed it. I am disappointed in him and somewhat angry, however I do hope he is able to beat this addition and will be back on the air soon.

[Beck_isright]

You learn pain management techniques. Some days are better than others. I'll grow older with this problem and hope that medical science continues to advance until there is a cure for the arthritis associated with the surgeries.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Man, there are about 10 people on this forum that should be apologizing to me regarding their comments that I didn't know WTF I was talking about. LOL! But that aint going to happen.

Ray Charles could see by Rush's own words in the very beginning, that something was wrong.

When I stated all he had to do was make a brief statement stating, "I don't use drugs obtained illegally or use drugs illegally", every shiit house lawyer came out of the wood work saying, "he can't say anything until charges are filed, his lawyer, bla bla bla.....

LOL!

There, I feel much better.......

[pgkdan]

I wonder who will be the first poster here to suggest we "pray" for Rush Limbaugh.

Geez, talk about no class...you exude a complete lack of it. <P.Rush has asked for our prayers and I've been praying for him since I first of this last week.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Not even remotely.

[wardaddy]

my wife just called me from Hill's grocery in Green Hills where she heard it....I was actually working and playing on that tattoo thread.

well....tonight's news is going to run from glee to gloom....whew!

[af_vet_1981]

I wonder who will be the first poster here to suggest we "pray" for Rush Limbaugh.

If you care about him and believe in God, you have permission to pray.

I wonder who will be the first poster here to say, "OK, I was wrong last week when I said the media was lying -- so he IS addicted to painkillers."

I was right last week.

I wonder who will be the first poster here to wonder how this affects Republican politics, etc.

One thing he was always right about was that he was only expressing what millions already believe. He simply studied radio and the use of English to make money for it. As with Newt Gingrich, Rush is replaceable. It is true, after all, that his talent is on loan from God. He has fallen and squandered some credibility and influence. I'm impressed that he seems to be coming clean about it. People's first instinct is to lie. I wish him well and he is responsible for his actions, as you are for yours, and I am for mine.

[Publius6961]

Class act.

Still can't stand all the talk about sports, cigars and golf, though.

[pgyanke]

What an idiot... you lecture Rush?

[UseYourHead]

Your conservative books are not an iron-clad roadmap from perfect-living guides but rather a compendium of thoughts from people who think similar to you and want what's best for this country. Frequently, they suffer the same problems and addictions as the rest of us do. Addiction is not a party affliction, it IS the human condition.

If your purchase of these books was to assemble a wall of showcards for friends and associates, they should be thrown out. If they were purchased to enjoy a written conversation with a fellow American who believes some of the same things you do, enjoy them and pass them on when appropriate.

I feel no hypocrisy in owning a pundit book because it is not my Bible. I have friends who don't always stand up to the virtues they espouse, but I don't kick them to curb. Of course they aren't a $10.00 pundit book either.

[L.N. Smithee]

Why do you presume this would "bug" me?

Because you wondered who would do it first instead of doing it yourself.