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"Here's the distinction I make with Rush. The root cause of his addiction was his attempt (with doctor's help) to alleviate severe back pain. He wasn't snorting cocaine at parties or shooting up. He wasn't dealing. If I cut him any slack, it's because of his back pain because I suffer from some amount of back pain, myself, and it's very debilitating. At this point, I am not taking any prescriptions for it, only over-the-counter pain relievers."

I too suffer from the same kind of back pain as Rush, although mine is inoperable. I take the same medication as Rush, and I have to purposely, and physically restrain myself from taking more medication than prescribed. It would be very easy to step over that line, and be pain free all the time. I am dependent on this medication. That is much different than being addicted. I venture to say Rush's problem was closer to dependency than addiction.
That being said, Sloth commented that the numbers worked out to 3 pills every 6 hours. That is A LOT of this medication. I currently take 3 pills per day. If his were the 40mg version, that works out to the equivalence of 12 10mg Percocets every 6 hours. I know I could never take that amount. It would kill me, and I'm not a small guy. However size doesn't matter in this case, as I met a young, 100lb girl abusing Oxycontin (chewing, snorting) and she had a 800 mg a day habit. I don't know how she was alive. This medication ain't cheap. My 1 month prescription with out insurance would be about $450. On the street I've heard it going for as much as $5 a mg. Do the math on that.
Rush will be in my Prayers tonight. He faces satan himself, being in that much pain, and not being able to get help for it.
All of you a$$holes (not Purccival, or Sloth, this is for some others like cloud8)that are glad he's gone through this, remember that one day you'll have to answer. Your punishment might be the pain he endures everyday. Let's see how glib you are then.

Sorry to hear that you're dealing with that kind of pain. :-(

That being said, it amazes me that Rush has been able to be as productive (and lucid) as he was while dealing with that kind of pain and dependency. And I've often wondered how he manages to play golf. It must help him, rather than hurt him, I guess.

I am saddened by your pain, and I wish you well FRiend.