Will Rush's Hard Line Haunt Him?

cbs ^ | 10-10-03

[wheelgunguru]

(CBS/AP) Conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh stunned listeners of his nationwide radio show by announcing on the air that he's hooked on painkillers and is checking himself into rehab.

In the past, Limbaugh has decried drug use and abuse on his bluntly conservative show, mocking President Bill Clinton for not inhaling and often making the case that drug crimes deserve punishment.

"Drug use, some might say, is destroying this country. And we have laws against selling drugs, pushing drugs, using drugs, importing drugs. ... And so if people are violating the law by doing drugs, they ought to be accused and they ought to be convicted and they ought to be sent up," Limbaugh said on his short-lived television show on Oct. 5, 1995.

During the same show, he commented that the statistics that show blacks go to prison more often than whites for the same drug offenses only illustrate that "too many whites are getting away with drug use."

Law enforcement sources who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed to The Associated Press that Limbaugh was being investigated for by the Palm Beach County, Fla., state attorney's office.

"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," he said Friday.

"You know I have always tried to be honest with you and open about my life," Limbaugh said. "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."

Attempts to reach Limbaugh by phone, e-mail, fax and at his Florida home were unsuccessful Friday.

Limbaugh gave up his job as an ESPN sports analyst Oct. 1, three days after saying on the sports network's "Sunday NFL Countdown" that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was overrated because the media wanted to see a black quarterback succeed.

The reports of possible drug abuse surfaced at about the same time, first in the National Enquirer. The tabloid had interviewed Wilma Cline, who said she became Limbaugh's drug connection after working as his maid. She said Limbaugh had abused OxyContin and other painkillers.

Mike Edmondson, a spokesman for the Palm Beach County state attorney's office, said Friday his office could neither confirm nor deny that an investigation was under way. Limbaugh's attorney, Roy Black, did not return a message seeking comment.

CBS News Correspondent Paul Moniz reports experts tell him addiction to these types of drugs is difficult to treat long-term. Studies of abstinence rates show that only 30-50 percent of rehab patients are able to remain drgu-free at one year and, at 12 years, only 25 percent are drug free.

"Some specialists regard prescription drug addiction as a chronic disorder and say a realistic treatment goal is sharp reduction in use, not total abstinence, Moniz says.

This is Limbaugh's third time in rehab, Moniz adds.

Limbaugh said he started taking painkillers "some years ago" after a doctor prescribed them following a spinal surgery. His back pain stemming from the surgery persisted, so Limbaugh said he started taking pills and became hooked.

"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."

A spokesman for Premiere Radio Networks, which syndicates the politically focused "Rush Limbaugh Show" to more than 650 markets, declined to elaborate on Limbaugh's previous treatment.

OxyContin is a narcotic painkiller that is widely prescribed for victims of moderate to severe chronic pain resulting from such problems as arthritis, back trouble and cancer.

Limbaugh reported two years ago that he had lost most of his hearing because of an autoimmune inner-ear disease. He had surgery to have an electronic device placed in his skull to restore his hearing.

Research has found that abuse of opiate-based painkillers like OxyContin can lead to profound hearing loss caused by damage to the inner ear, said Dr. Gail Ishiyama, an assistant professor at the UCLA department of neurology. She could not confirm that was Limbaugh's case without access to his medical history.

Steve Plamann, executive editor of The National Enquirer, said he was gratified by Limbaugh's admission and his plans to seek help.

"We didn't do our stories gleefully. We just reported the facts," Plamann said.

However, Limbaugh said that reports about his addiction have inaccuracies and distortions which he will clarify when he is able to speak about them.

Premiere spokesman Michael Sitrick said Limbaugh is expected to return to his program after completing treatment. Several guest hosts were scheduled until then.

[fatidic]

Rush's use of prescription drugs was illegal! But, of course his extremely high intake of pills was justified so he could play golf every day and walk with a swagger and shake his head all over the place as he talks with great animation. Rush is entitled to his pleasures with such strong supporters to defend him.

[FreedomPoster]

>>Heck, look at OJ and Kobe--celebrity trials turn into circuses.

High-profile trials are seen by many prosecutors as paths to exposure and higher political office. Rudy Guliani, anyone?

[Atlas Sneezed]

Oxycontin is a schedule 2 drug in Florida. Possession or possession with intent to purchase is a 2nd degree penalty punishable by up to 15 years in prison OR a $10,000 fine. First time offenders are usually fined and not incarcerated.

---

I have a hunch that Rush did not "possess" such contraband when ne revealed his problem.

[Right_in_Virginia]

From the article: ~ This is Limbaugh's third time in rehab, Moniz adds.

No it's not. Rush tried detox before...not rehab.

What a lying sack of you-know-what the media is!

[GoGophers]

Hopefully it will save him.

Most definitely!

[GoGophers]

He did comment! He laid his problems out for all to see!

Only after he absolutely had to go public. What other options were available to Rush?

[huck von finn]

How do you know it was detox only?

[GoGophers]

How do you know it was detox only?

I am not an expert on this issue, but I think the length of time is the determining factor (detox is a shorter process).

[HairOfTheDog]

SO WHAT.

Most people who become addicted don't quit until their lives are unmanageable as is. That is why they make a choice. His first words upon being pushed into a corner were lame in your opinion. SO WHAT. He ain't clean nor is his head on straight even ~yet~.

[redheadtoo]

And what, pray tell us, is the over-the-counter food supplement for us who have chronic pain to deal with?

I have suffered from mild joint pain for at least ten years. Over the last year it became much worse. For six months I could not sleep at night due to the joint pain and I began to also suffer from muscle pain and cramping. I was beginning to have difficulty walking. My sister mentioned to me that potassium was useful for my muscle cramps.

Although I am a skeptic when it comes to food suppliments, I decided to try it. I hoped that it might provide me with a little relief from my secondary symptoms. The results were incredible.

In a week and a half I found that about 95% of my pain was gone. I still suffer from pain but now I can handle it. When I need a little more relief I use Ibuprofen. I don't know were I would be now if I had not tried potassium.

I hope this is useful to you. Perhaps you could post a vanity thread and ask other freepers how they have dealt with chronic pain.

[Clara Lou]

I'm not sure what you think I said in my post. The report says In the past, Limbaugh has decried drug use and abuse on his bluntly conservative show, The very general phrase "drug use" is misleading. Addiction because of chronic pain is very different from "recreational" drug use, wouldn't you say? I didn't defend. I tried to point out the difference.

[ecurbh]

What other options were available to Rush?

Lying. Denial. Blaming his problems on a "vast left-wing conspiracy". Among others.

[GoGophers]

Most people who become addicted don't quit until their lives are unmanageable as is. That is why they make a choice. His first words upon being pushed into a corner were lame in your opinion. SO WHAT. He ain't clean nor is his head on straight even ~yet~.

I agree with everything in post. I just disagree with posters calling him courageous for going public with his addiction.

[huck von finn]

Oh, I know what detox is. But I don't know that I've ever heard of people simply going to a hospital to be detoxed without going on with regular treatment--unless they changed their minds about wanting to get help.

Detox is just the process by which medical people get the offending drugs out of the addict's system. It takes a matter of days, if I recall correctly--or a week or two.

Treatment involves all kinds of other things, and lasts for thirty days (a shortie) to three months. And then after that, addicts usually receive aftercare and go to support entities like NA, AA, etc.

But I don't know where this idea of Rush's going in for just detox came from. He certainly didn't say so in his recent statement.

[uncbob]

Limbaugh said he started taking painkillers "some years ago" after a doctor prescribed them following a spinal surgery

Anybody remember him taking time off from his show for back surgery or even talking about back surgery

[GoGophers]

Lying. Denial. Blaming his problems on a "vast left-wing conspiracy". Among others.

Kind of hard with an ongoing criminal investigation.

[HairOfTheDog]

Who cares.... He had a choice to either go public or try to hang on to the pills, lose his job, and slowly eat away at everything he has. His was the right choice.... If people want to be happy and pleased and give him support and courage for doing that, then fine.

[GoGophers]

Who cares....

I care. We cheapen the concept of courage by falsely attributing it to undeserving individuals.

I call Rush courageous when he beats this addiction.

[GoGophers]

Much better explanation. Thanks!

[HairOfTheDog]

Oh - I just love word police who want to define for everyone who is deserving of words like courageous. I bet you hate my heroes too.