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

[jetson]

I know Rush has found Jesus! Rush probrably does not have time to pray in church since he is out saving the United States from becoming a socialist stronghold that would not recognize ANY praying in church or at home.

[MamaB]

Will stress make it worse? Our daughter has been in the hospital 6 times since June 1st and is in there now. Just wondered if there might be a connection.

[zacyak]

The backpedalling and equivocating here is just about more than I can take.

I just look at this thread as a useful way to flush out some of the idiots and hypocrites who post on this forum. Just imagine a democrat doing what Rush did then picture what these same people's responses would be to it. The double standard exibited is amazing.

[WHBates]

"It's obvious that once Rush's doctor stopped prescribing the pain pills for him, he sought other ways to get them."

Do you know this for a fact? I guess I missed this admission. I heard what he said on the show and that wasn't part of it. Not that it's important at this point.

[wardaddy]

His addiction does not make any of his beliefs less valid, today, does it?

No, of course not but in this case the messenger who is in fact a leader is damaged I fear. I regret and am a little resentful he gave our enemies so much ammo. He knew better.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Nope - I've told them that there is nothing to gain by drug use, they shouldn't do it, they'll get severely punished for it, and have been up front about the mistakes of my youth.

[Jack Black]

Very likely, yes.

[UseYourHead]

My motto is that if an author can't live it, he or she shouldn't write it.

That certainly makes for a very small library. Maybe it's not such a bad idea either.

[Huck]

Hey wardaddy. So it has come to pass. Sucks for our team. But right now, probably makes the most sense to let everyone "process" the news. Let is sink in. I keep hearing that proverb in my head: "Pride goeth before a fall." Let it sink in. It's bad news for conservatism, or so it seems today. But who knows? Things happen for a reason, don't they?

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

I always knew that FR had it's share of self-righteous, perfect individuals (cough, cough), but I didn't realize there were so many actual saints.

I have to believe that those who are ready for Rush to be prosecuted have never suffered or watched someone agonize every waking moment. It's so easy for them to sit back and pass judgment.

Even though the human inclination for addiction to drugs is similar in drug users, there is a very big difference in setting out to take drugs for kicks and being introduced to them by legal prescription.

What do you want to bet that some of the critics here may someday find themselves in need of chronic pain relief and innocently step foot on the same road as Rush and others like him? Maybe they would sing a different tune and understand how these situations can evolve.

[Yo-Yo]

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

I'm not even close to the first one, but I'll say that the most famous rehab facility in the nation is named The Betty Ford Clinic.

Did Betty Ford ruin the Republican reputation?

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Of course he knew better.

But why is it that conservatives eat their own, when they are injured, and liberals prop their wounded up and offer condolences?

[SJackson]

Not if he continues to advocate that such drug use be illegal and prosecuted, even against himself.

You're right. I operating on the assumption that IF he turns out to have acquired them illegally, he's not going to turn himself in, along with the keys to his house, car and any other property he transported or consumed them in.

If he does, he's consistant.

[yhwhsman]

I wonder if, for those who get addicted because of severe pain, the addiction is more from the lack of pain than a true addiction. Unless people have gone though this kind of agony, they can't truly understand how incredible if feels to be pain free. And you don't ever want the pain to come back.

[MamaB]

Isn't that the truth?

[wardaddy]

I see him and Bill Bennett as leaders and spokesmen and in Bennett's case, he was also a politician to a degree.

I did not care for Bennett's excessive gambling either and thought it reflected poorly on his character.

[Catspaw]

He has a right to remain silent.
He does not have a right to lie.

When he's under oath. His radio show is not a deposition, grand jury or witness stand.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

I agree.

[gdani]

It's not a leap of logic to suggest that the same is *probably* true for Rush.

You're right, it's not... it's called SLANDER. Can we just wait to hear from the authorities, rather than the National Enquirer, before we pronounce him a street corner crack dealer?

Slander's spoken. You're thinking of libel, legal eagle.

Sorry -- But I don't get my news from the National Enquirer. If you want to believe that Rush has been an addict for years but NEVER broke ANY laws then go ahead.

[kittycroft]

He's only doing something about it because he got caught.