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I respect your work with addicts, but Nachum, how can you say that they can't function? What about "functional alcoholics?" I've known one my whole life. You wouldn't know he was an alcoholic if you worked in his office with him. You'd only know "after hours." He has a genius I.Q. Yes, he was a chain-smoker also. I don't find it unbelievable, for this reason, that Rush was or is addicted to medication. And seriously, it doesn't make me think he must therefore be wrong about everything else.

You'd only know "after hours."

Yes, there are such things as "functional" addicts, but as I said it leads to other addictions and contradictory behaviors. Also, the addiction is never static, it must be dealt with or it eventually destroys the addict. How could a barbituate addict possibly recover in time to perform in time for a public event? If your functional addict was ingesting an equivalent amount of alchohol to 30 pills of a powerful barbituate, he could not wake up in time for work the next morning.

Rush Limbaugh has a very busy schedule. He does not have the ability to be known as being different "after hours" without being found out. In addition, we are talking about a very large number of pills per day and a very powerful drug. It is like saying a herion addict who shoots up every day could successfully be in front of the public the way Limbaugh is. I cannot imagine it.

It is interesting that you pointed out that the person you knew was a chain-smoker. It sounds like it would be part of his addiction. I would wager that part of his "after-hours" behaviors included any or all of the above; gambling, hookers, or other high risk activities. Rush Limbaugh is an ex-smoker. He gave up his addiction to cigarettes. He entered into a committed relationship and has stayed married. He regularly goes to speaking engagements and public events. He is well prepared for his show and is well informed with no lapse in preparation or knowledge. How is he leading a double life? I just do not see it.

Alcoholism/addiction is a progressive disease that will get worse over time. I venture to say that unless your friend stops his "after hours" drinking, he will eventually become a full blown alcoholic. The progressiveness of addictive diseases then takes over the alcoholic/addicts life, leading them unable to function and conduct normal tasks, such as keeping a job, etc. If the addiction does not stop, the person will die and many of them do.

I am not a toxicologist, but some time ago, I worked for a large drug testing lab and visited many drug rehabilitation centers throughout the country. Drug addiction is ugly and it destroys lives, families, careers, everything. I have heard stories that would break your heart.

OxyContin is a very powerful narcotic which has a time release component that provides pain relief of up to twelve hours. That's why it has become so popular with addicts; because they can keep their high/effect for a longer period of time. Some people refer to it as heroin in a pill form.

I agree with Nachum, Rush does not fit the profile for an addict. There is no way that Rush would have been able to perform in the high calibre that he has if he were addicted to this drug. I am not talking about a mispronounciation of words or a slur here or there. (which we all do when we are either stressed or doing too much in our lives, especially as we age.) The effect of this drug would have been so obvious, that he would have had all of us calling him to see what was wrong. Also, he would never been able to keep up the personal appearance and travel schedule that he has.

This is just my opinion based upon my experience.