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

[pgyanke]

I said "probably".

You are "probably" a drug dealer yourself. You are "probably" a wanted felon...

Probablies can be very slanderous.

[I still care]

There are always freepers who like to call names and act superior, but the vast majority are caring, thinking people. An exception was right after 9/11 when there was lots of invective and name-calling, but emotions were running really high then.

I have seen over and over on these forums understanding freepers who realize what pain (emotional and physical) is.

The great true difference between conservatives and liberals is that liberals believe your problems are the fault of others and nature, and that the government and others should be forced to suffer for and pay for your problem, while conservatives believe that ultimately your difficulties are your own to solve and overcome without REQUIRING (the magic word) others to help you against their will.

[Charliehorse]

In 2002 I had a quadruple heart bypass. I had a difficult recovery with many anxiety attacks about my condition, finances, etc. I was on pain pills. Let me tell you they were wonderful. All my cares went away and I felt so good after taking them. I was afraid I would become addicted but didn't. I certainly can see how one would become addicted. Watch out if you get into that situation.

[Trailerpark Badass]

When referring to ILLEGAL drugs, not prescription (LEGAL) drugs.

A distinction without a difference, as far as I'm concerned.

[RightWingMama]

It's easy to do the right thing once you get caught. That said, I'm glad he got caught because it'll help him do the right thing.

The Lord works in mysterious ways.

[Sabertooth]

I thought the cyst was the reason he wasn't drafted? Am I thinking this stuff up? LOL. Never knew about any other surgeries.

Dunno. I think I have some sort of auto-responsive ADD.

Two things that can make my mind wander... non-family members talking about their surgeries, and anyone talking about their dreams.

[AZamericonnie]

I have seen that kind of pain. My husband has a herniated disc in his back. When you cannot walk, sit or lay with out a constant intense pain you will take anyting to make it stop. That kind of pain makes you crazy. He was on everthing including oxycontin for a time. There are withdrawls when you stop.

This revelation will not change peoples feelings for Rush IMO. Those who love him will love him still & those who do not, well you get my point. Conservatives are held to a higher standard. We hold ourselves to higher standards. Ruch had the class to admit his troubles & is seeking help. I comend him for that & he will be in my prayers.

[conservativeammom]

I also suffer fibromyalgia and it is not fun. I do not take anything stronger than Tylenol, but I must say there are times when I wish I had something stronger because the pain gets bad at times. I have done the muscle relaxers and other modes of pain management, but I prefer not to get dependent on these medications.

Rush has owned up to his problem, he has been up front and honest about this today and I think we need to support him and his desire to get off the pain medication. I will pray for Rush and his family, because this affects not just the one addicted to the medication, it also affects the family and friends of this person.

Hang in there Rush and we will be here when you are released from treatment and able to come back to your show

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Buck up. This is just the first hour!

Give it a few days, and see how the story shakes out. The fact that the Nat'l Inquirer didn't unload new stories this week leads me to believe that the story wasn't Rush, initially.

The maid wanted immunity and gave the authorities Rush's name. The fact that he hasn't been charged is reassuring. From my understanding they must not have that strong of a case against him, at this point.

He'll go to rehab and return to his program.

And eventually, this will be behind him.

However, he will NEVER be back at the same pinnacle he was at. The bigger they are, the harder they fall, etc.

[wardaddy]

Vicodin is hydrocodone...slightly different and a bit weaker.

I would guess Rush took what he could get.

[jammer]

As predicted, the DUmmies are going to new lows with this. They're calling dittoheads hypocrites. They are the real hypocrites.

They ARE hypocrits. But, they are correct to the extent that dittoheads who are drug warriors and still defend Rush ARE hypocrits. The only non-hypocrits in this mess are the anti-WOD folks who defend Rush on this issue. Or WOD warriors who give him hell.

[Huck]

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

[Lord_Baltar]

Well, Rush actually ran with that whole Kitty Dukakis thing quite a bit...

He made quite a point of commenting about it as often as he could

[wardaddy]

Bump...

[PeoplesRepublicOfWashington]

I have no doubt that the NE article catalyzed his decision making, if that's what you're getting at.

[Catspaw]

Do you know what's disappointing about Rush?

That he was addicted to painkillers for 5 to 6 years, and it wasn't until the story in the National Enquirer broke before he decided to go into a serious rehab in-patient treatment program.

That he didn't come right out and say "I am addicted to painkillers" right after the story broke, leaving some one this board to think that the story about his addiction was a lie, and he allowed people to continue to believe that.

It's hard to accept that someone people idolize has feet of clay. Rush does. He has an addiction to painkillers. He's a junkie. His drug of choice wasn't crack or heroin or meth. It was prescription drugs (he didn't say if he got the drugs legally or illegally), but that doesn't make him any less of an addict.

I hope his rehab is successful. I hope people leave him alone while he's getting treatment. I hope he comes back. But don't act like another enabler.

[sinkspur]

Hermann, you're a very smart man, but a very cruel man.

This harshness mirrors your belief that infants can not go to heaven.

Hand-in-hand.

[pgkdan]

is there some kind of buzz you get with these pain meds ?

I wouldn't call it a buzz exactly, but I cut a finger off, actually squeezed it off under a belt and at the same time broke most of the bones in the rest of my hand. I got to the hospital at noon, badly bleeding and was wheeled into surgery about 8:30 that evening, the only pain medication I got was a shot of Demerol before going in to surgery. prior to that shot I was fuming and my hand was THROBBING, 2 secondds later I was in the best mood of my life. I felt wonderful. When I left the hospital I was prescribed Percodan and they stopped the pain and made me sleepy...but never high.

[rattrap]

illegaly aquired perscription drugs are illegal drugs.

[L.N. Smithee]

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."

You may want to add to that: "Eventually, low standards will be accepted as the norm, and you'll be just as good as anybody else."