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

[wardaddy]

yep...not too popular a view around here today.

[Auntbee]

Maybe not, but why would a doctor keep prescribing addictive pain killers to someone who is obviously addicted to them? He shouldn't be a doctor if he's done this. Nor should he be a doctor if he couldn't recognize the addiction.


I don't understand this either. My husband's doctor just kept giving him stronger and stronger medicine for his chronic back pain and it ended up killing him.

[Right Wing Professor]

I was going to add that that hypocrisy is the tribute vice pays to virtue, so I went to google to try to find out who originally said it. I found it attributed to Matthew Arnold (many times), La Rochefoucauld (many times), Ambrose Bierce, Voltaire, Montaigne, Meher Baba, and Alan Keyes, and then I stopped looking. If every bozo on the net is repeating a cliche and blaming it on the wrong person, it's time to give it up.

But I did find an interesting variation, by Richard John Neuhaus. "It used to be that hypocrisy was the tribute that vice paid to virtue, whereas now it is the charge that vice hurls at virtue". Those calling Rush a hypocrite might consider that one.

[over3Owithabrain]

BACK SURGERY IS THE BIGGEST SCAM FOISTED ON THE PUBLIC SINCE ONE-HOUR MARTINIZING. I have yet to know of one person out of 50 that said their surgery was a success. I just had what I found out later was unneccessary ankle surgery. Doctors are getting lazy and doing surgery for the $$. When it fails they just drug you up. Our society is being medicated to death.

[Kay Soze]

I'd say going deaf is pretty severe punishment, if it is related to his sue of pills. Not to mention the loss of pride and public humiliation.

And further illustrates the correctness of the conservative anti drug position.

Which democratic figure has EVER taken responsibility for any of their shortcomings?

The statement by Rush also further illustrates the difference between the conservative and liberal positions.

One is honest and forthright while the other is dishonest and conniving.

Which one of these fine very troubled liberals would ever say anything remotely like :

Take responsibility, assert he is not a victim, and ask for prayers?

A) Bill Clinton Monica, Perjury, Juanita Broderick…
B) Algore Illegal campaign contributions
C) Ted Kennedy Alcoholism, Adultery,leaving woman
to drown
C) Marion Barry Crack Cocaine
D) JFK Pills, Adultery
E) Johnson Vietnam
F) Joe Biden Plagiarism

[dead]

And I'm just asking folks to wait until someone, ANYONE of credibility presents some real evidence of illegality.

This isn’t a court of law. People speculate all the time on this forum.

I think Hillary Clinton is a crook, yet she’s never been convicted of a crime.

I think Robert Byrd is insane, yet I’ve seen no medical confirmation of this diagnosis.

I think Michael Moore weighs about 340 lbs, though I’ve not weighed him.

I think Rush obtained prescription drugs illegally, though I have no proof to confirm.

All I have in all these cases is a preponderance of evidence that leads me to these speculations. I've not seen any evidence to dissuade me from any of them.

[pgyanke]

Sorry, chum. I've done enough homework for you today.

I can admit when I'm wrong. Something in this citation of law told you I am. Rather than waste my time reviewing this entire citation, I was hoping you could post the relevant information THAT YOU HAVE ALREADY FOUND.

Thanks for very little, chum.

[BJungNan]

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

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

I wonder what the point of these questions is?

[Sandy]

If he's still experiencing the pain, what's the point of getting off of the pain medication?

I'm wondering the same thing. His story doesn't make any sense, imo.

[Bluntpoint]

She told me she was dialing "Male Sluts Go Crazy!"

[dead]

BACK SURGERY IS THE BIGGEST SCAM FOISTED ON THE PUBLIC SINCE ONE-HOUR MARTINIZING.

You've got to be kidding me! The guy at the dry cleaners said it would make my suit look like new.

[Sabertooth]

I did find an interesting variation, by Richard John Neuhaus. "It used to be that hypocrisy was the tribute that vice paid to virtue, whereas now it is the charge that vice hurls at virtue".

That's a keeper.*

*Source unknown.

[mass55th]

"My husband's doctor just kept giving him stronger and stronger medicine for his chronic back pain and it ended up killing him."

I'm sorry to hear this. Did you ever contact a lawyer about it?

[pgyanke]

Typically when someone on this forum makes allegations they can't back up they are called on it. I'll continue to do the same.

I think Hillary Clinton is a crook... Whitewater, filegate, travelgate, Lying History, et al

I think Robert Byrd is insane... I've heard him speak

I think Michael Moore weighs about 340 lbs... so? What does this have to do with anything?

You think Rush obtained prescription drugs illegally... BACK IT UP.

[Beck_isright]

"What a nice post!"

LOL, which one?

[Voteamerica]

OK. When the story ran in the National Enquirer I said that I thought Rush wasn’t answering because he was preparing for a law suit. I honestly never dreamed that it was true, and that it is is horrific.

But I will not be as kind as the rest of you now. Drugs are a huge problem in this country and he contributed to that problem. There is no other way to look at it. Everyone here sounds like a bunch of liberal pansies. Rush committed crimes, and he should be treated no differently than similar criminals. To suggest otherwise is genuinely hypocritical.

If you think Rush has “suffered enough” and this should be dropped at rehab then each of you should rethink how the crack addict and heroin addicts on the bad side of town should be treated. I have no sympathy for them or for Rush.

All of you think of what you are saying, you have lost your minds. Who cares if it was Rush, laws are laws.

[yhwhsman]

Since you've actually had experience with pain-medicine addicts, what do you think about the claim Rush was taking 93 pills a day?

[Belial]

You think Rush obtained prescription drugs illegally... BACK IT UP.

I'd say one strong sign is that Rush has yet to deny that he obtained drugs illegally.

And don't give me the BS about his lawyers not wanting to issue any denials...that was last week's excuse.

[Auntbee]

I've thought about it. But I don't know what can be done legally.

[pgyanke]

So, all it takes is an allegation by a third-rate rag and he has to forgo rules of litigation? Right. I trusted him when he said he'd come clean and I'll trust him to go further when he can.