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

[Burkeman1]

Rush was a major influence on me through my college years. I painted houses and did roofing and chimney work while listening to him during summers. After college, I caught his show as much as I could. I think he has lost some edge and bite in the last few years that he used to have.

His voice validated me and not the other way around. I listened to Rush becauce I agreed with him and not because he "brainwashed" me as some people like to think of his listeners. I don't agree with everything he says- but the man is an inspiration and a hero.

It would be truly crummy to abandon him now.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

I guess I see all sin as being equal.

If Limbaugh had committed adultery, or cheated on his income taxes, or anything else, I would just kind of shrug it off. I would expect them to make amends, but I wouldn't necessarily feel wounded.

If we want a leader who has never stumbled, then I think we would remain without someone to guide us. We are all equally susceptible to temptation.

[Tempest]

"Abusing prescription drugs is a crime."

how so?

[mil-vet]

Point well taken! I saw a silly little "write-up" of a visit by the pope to Bush which kinda fits how liberal socialist pondscum (LSP), especially hollyweird and the press, are gonna try to spin this:

The Pope is visiting DC and President Bush takes him out for an afternoon on the Potomac...sailing on the presidential yacht, the Sequoia.

They're admiring the sights when, all of a sudden, the Pope's hat blows off his head and out into the water. Secret service guys start to launch a boat, but Bush waves them off, saying, "Wait, wait. I'll take care of this. Don't worry."

Bush then steps off the yacht onto the surface of the water and walks out to the Holy Father's little hat, bends over and picks it up, then walks back to the yacht and climbs aboard. He hands the hat to the Pope amid stunned silence.

The next morning the topic of conversation among Democrats on the Hill, the New York Times, Hollywood celebrities, and in France and Germany is:

"Bush Can't Swim"

LSP types are SO predictable!

[WHBates]

"Just imagine a democrat doing what Rush did then picture what these same people's responses would be to it."

No problem a Democrat would never admit to it and the Democrat Party and news media would somehow blame it on the Bush tax cut.

[wardaddy]

I hope so, I know they usually have in my life and I hope Rush can recover personally.

As far as his standing as a conservative, he is compromised pretty badly as a spokesman/icon/leader/motivator in my opinion...fwiw (which ain't much admittedly)

[Belial]

No problem a Democrat would never admit to it and the Democrat Party and news media would somehow blame it on the Bush tax cut.

You mean they'd change the subject and divert the blame? Kinda like you are?

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

Speedy Recovery Rush. May God Bless and Guide your recovery. May he support you and your family and friends through the days ahead.

Those who are your supporters will remain so. Those who are your enemies will remain so. Get well and hurry home to your faithful listeners.

I've had many people here at FR mad at me because I though this story was true. But I did so because Rush himself did not deny the allegations. After watching FoxNews the night this story broke, and hearing then that Rush had been in detox twice by his own admission, it wasn't hard to put it all together. (I also don't think he has to be ashamed of that. Someone else said they heard him mention going through detox twice to get off his pain pills.) I thought then and DO NOW that for HIS SAKE that FIRST "medically" and second "professionally" that going into rehab was his "safest" option. I'm very RELIEVED tonight. Having worked in an area of Physical Rehab Medicine that treated back injuries and other injuries, (Many requiring pain control) his story is not unheard of (I worked for a Physiatrist). We often told our patients not to exceed the doses we gave them. But back pain is an insidious pain, and hard to treat. They often did take more..and often ran out. Why do people think there are so many "PAIN CLINICS" that have opened up around the United States? Rush isn't the first person with a back injury that has had this happen. (Betty Ford wasn't the first substance abuser either.. but she sure was a blessing in stepping forward to help millions of other people get well! So there is nothing to be ashamed of in asking for help!)

It may not seem like it to some of you right now, but in the long run it is a blessing it all came out. It couldn't go on much longer like this. Not for Rush to live a long and full life. As strange as it sounds his enemies may have done Rush a favor. It is not unheard of for the heart to just suddenly stop when taking this many pain meds or a mixture of them if the "quantity" reported was true. Heck, the fact Rush admitted this at all, is admitting he was doing something very dangerous to his health. I'm just extremely thankful he is seeking help.

Lastly, If the media takes GREAT GLEE in hitting Rush while he is down, their hypocracy will be VERY blatant and OBVIOUS. Everyone has seen the obvious love and support they have given to the likes of Matthew Perry, Robert Downey, Erin Skorkin, Courtney Love, Elton John, and all the other Hollywood types who did drugs just for FUN, not because they were in PHYSICAL pain.

I support ANYONE who tries to be sober and have a normal life. No matter what their drug of choice was. I pray they ALL get well and stay well.

Lets see if Hollywood, the liberal politicians and the liberal media can support Rush or if they are so full of hate they show their true colors!

We'll be watching and the world will be watching. HYPOCRACY OR COMPASSION? We'll see..... but something tells me I could get very wealthy if I'd just take bets!!

[Afronaut]

Great move Rush! Get it under control and live life clean ! I am proud of him, too bad he it had to happen this way, but it is not important. Go get help. You are worth it.

[rstevens]

I wonder who will be the first poster here to say...

Let me be the first one to say Go F*** yourself..

[dead]

Why don't we wait to hear from a credible and, dare I say, official source before we pronounce judgement?

My God, you are living in fairy tale land!

The man just admitted he’s an addict. He has a problem and needs rehab.

He was either obtaining those drugs in those amounts illegally, or his doctor is going to jail.

You can cling to the later possibility, but obviously the first is far more likely.

[MamaB]

I had not been doing anything differently. They just started one day and I could not explain it. I have had lots of problems with my costo though so it may be connected with that. Oh! Just remembered that I have been lifting heavy boxes when we moved our daughter out of her apartment back in August and all of this started a few weeks after that. You think there could be a connection?

[Right Wing Professor]

In his instance, he is asking for more kindness and understanding than he was willing to extend to others.

I agree with you on many issues, but I think you're going too far on this. All he asked for in his statement was prayers; not kindness, and not understanding. And if people were forbidden to propose ethical ideas they themselves don't live by, then ethics would be impossible. We're all entitled to propose goals we ourselves can't live up to.

[pgyanke]

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

I never claimed to be perfect... just outspoken.

If you want to believe that Rush has been an addict for years but NEVER broke ANY laws then go ahead.

I'm not suggesting he's pure as the driven snow but I am suggesting we at least wait and hear someone (ANYONE?) accuse him besides the National Enquirer.

[Tempest]

"Oh, garbage. I listened to the guy from 1992 on, and only got to where I couldn't stand him about 2 years ago. He used to savage Marion Barry, and if some liberal would try to start programs for junkies, would go into that pompous whining voice of his while mocking problems. "

Like I said I never really listen to the guy. But was he mocking the people or was he mocking Marion Barry because he wanted to start up subsidized drug programs payed for by tax payers money?

Personally I'd rally against most of those social welfare programs myself.

[shhrubbery!]

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.

Quotes, please.

I read some of Rush's quotes about drug users. Not very nice.

How about posting some of them here so we can see how "not nice" they are?

[gdani]

"Abusing prescription drugs is a crime."

how so?

As I said in a previous post, most (if not all) states & municipalities have a separate crime for "drug abuse" or "drug use".

If Rush was abusing these drugs then he broke the applicable law(s).

My understanding is that not many people are charged with just that crime. Rather, they are tacked on by prosecutors to other related crimes such as possession, etc. so that, soon, a person in such trouble has multiple charges against them.