Limbaugh to head to drug rehab

[Stravo]

Limbaugh admits addiction to pain medication
Friday, October 10, 2003 Posted: 4:23 PM EDT (2023 GMT)


PRESCRIPTION ADDICTION
•Approximately 4 million Americans said they were currently using prescription drugs for non-medical purposes in a 1999 report.
•Commonly prescribed pain medications that can become addictive include: codeine, oxycodone, and sleep disorder drugs.
•Prescription drugs are the most common form of drug abuse among older people.
•Fastest growing group of new prescription drug abusers are 12- to 17-year-olds and 18- to 25-year-olds.

Source: National Household Survey on Drug Abuse

(CNN) -- Rush Limbaugh announced on his radio program Friday that he is addicted to pain medication and that he is checking himself into a treatment center immediately.

"You know I have always tried to be honest with you and open about my life," the conservative commentator said in a statement on his nationally syndicated radio show.

"I need to tell you today that part of what you have heard and read is correct. I am addicted to prescription pain medication."

Law enforcement sources said last week that Limbaugh's name had come up during an investigation into a black market drug ring in Palm Beach County, Florida. The sources said that authorities were looking into the illegal sale of the prescription drugs OxyContin and hydrocodone.

Limbaugh, who has a residence in Palm Beach County, was named by sources as a possible buyer. He was not the focus of the investigation, according to the sources.

The radio talk show host said he first became addicted to painkillers "some years ago," following spinal surgery. However, he added, "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."

He had tried to break his dependence in the past and has checked himself into medical facilities twice before, he said.

Limbaugh said that he is "not making any excuses" and that he is "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," he said.

Earlier this month, Limbaugh resigned from his position as football commentator on ESPN after making remarks that critics considered racist.

Limbaugh said he left the show "Sunday NFL Countdown" to protect the network from the uproar caused by his statement that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was overrated because the media wanted to see a black quarterback succeed.

He did not apologize for the comments and does not consider them to be racist remarks, merely an observation of the media's reaction to McNabb's success.

The revelation about Limbaugh's possible addiction to OxyContin appeared the same week he resigned from ESPN. In the statement read by Limbaugh Friday, he did not name the pain medication he said he's addicted to.

Limbaugh is one of the most recognized talk show hosts in the nation and also one of the most controversial. In 2001, he signed a nine-year contract with Premiere Radio Networks, which syndicates his show to nearly 600 stations, for a total salary package reported to exceed $200 million.

It is estimated that nearly 20 million people listen to Limbaugh's show daily.

Limbaugh signed a nine-year contract with Premiere Radio Networks, which syndicates his show to nearly 600 stations, for a total salary package reported to exceed $200 million.

Also in 2001, Limbaugh learned he had a hearing problem. He was diagnosed in May and told his listeners in October that he was almost entirely deaf as a result of an autoimmune inner-ear disease. He said he had lost 100 percent hearing in his left ear and 80 percent in his right ear.

He successfully had a cochlear implant placed in his left ear to restore his hearing. He announced in January 2002 that he could hear his own radio show "for the first time in nearly four months via a medical marvel."

Until then, he relied solely on a TelePrompTer and his staff's assistance to understand his callers.

I cannot describe the joy I get when some fat loud mouthed hypocritical son of a bitch gets cauight in his own bullshit. I wish someone would go back and find every refrenece he has made about drug addicts and played it or put it up in a web site because I am sooooo sure that there were some VERY negative remarks.

Sean Hannity himself described drug addicts as weak willed people who did drugs because they enjoyed it. I wonder if that applies to his butt buddy Rush now.

I have someone near and dear to me fighting addiction most of her life and this attitude among conservatives has always enraged me.

[Sea Skimmer]

Already posted

[The Duchess of Zeon]

I cannot describe the joy I get when some fat loud mouthed hypocritical son of a bitch gets cauight in his own bullshit. I wish someone would go back and find every refrenece he has made about drug addicts and played it or put it up in a web site because I am sooooo sure that there were some VERY negative remarks.

Sean Hannity himself described drug addicts as weak willed people who did drugs because they enjoyed it. I wonder if that applies to his butt buddy Rush now.

I have someone near and dear to me fighting addiction most of her life and this attitude among conservatives has always enraged me.

You know, it really took quite a lot of courage from Mr. Limbaugh to come out and openly admit to his addiction precisely considering that attitude among conservatives--an addiction like this may be evidence of a weak will (and that's not really an indictment of the addicted because about 70% of society is weak-willed), quite so, but this is the conquest of that lack of will to admit one's addiction and work towards rectification of it. But of course you would never think about that...

[Iceberg]

There's a great deal of schadenfreude here.

[Andrew J.]

You know, it really took quite a lot of courage from Mr. Limbaugh to come out and openly admit to his addiction precisely considering that attitude among conservatives--an addiction like this may be evidence of a weak will (and that's not really an indictment of the addicted because about 70% of society is weak-willed), quite so, but this is the conquest of that lack of will to admit one's addiction and work towards rectification of it. But of course you would never think about that...

Of course, he only admitted it after he got busted. Quite frankly, I might have respected hima bit if he had just come clean about it out of the blue, but this is just normal political maneuvering. If he could have convinced everyone he was innocent he would have, so I'm just going to laugh at his sorry, pill-popping ass.

[The Duchess of Zeon]

Of course, he only admitted it after he got busted. Quite frankly, I might have respected hima bit if he had just come clean about it out of the blue, but this is just normal political maneuvering. If he could have convinced everyone he was innocent he would have, so I'm just going to laugh at his sorry, pill-popping ass.

What do you mean he got busted? A story in the National Enquirer that you're being investigated for illicit drug use is now getting busted? He could have denied that right up until a twelve-person jury of his peers delivered a guilty verdict, assuming it ever even goes to court.

[Iceberg]

It was on a bunch of newswires already by the time Rush admitted it, Marina. He may have been trying to beat the rush (pun not intended), but I remember hearing something about it sometime last week, and I don't read the Enquirer.

[MKSheppard]

A story in the National Enquirer that you're being investigated for illicit drug use is now getting busted?

Er...the Enquirer is a respectable muckraking rag now. 8 Years of Clinton
gave them their chops.

[The Duchess of Zeon]

It was on a bunch of newswires already by the time Rush admitted it, Marina. He may have been trying to beat the rush (pun not intended), but I remember hearing something about it sometime last week, and I don't read the Enquirer.

I can't recall anyone who didn't refer back to either the Enquirer or Matt Drudge, and though I grant more people probably believe in the accuracy of the Drudge Report than the National Enquirer, that's still a stretch. The practice of news sources to copy the Big Hits of others makes the trackback less easy than "I read it here."

[Wicked Pilot]

I love right wing scandals involving drugs or sex. They're just so fun. Of course Rush should consider himself luckly; if he were poor there would be no drug rehab, just jail.

[The Duchess of Zeon]

if he were poor there would be no drug rehab, just jail.

There is absolutely no indication that the police investigation has been suspended, so he could easily get both.

[Wicked Pilot]

There is absolutely no indication that the police investigation has been suspended, so he could easily get both.

Do you seriousily believe Rush would serve jail time? It's not like he shared an inhaler with a fellow schoolmate suffering an asthma attack.

[HemlockGrey]

Two days ago I was in a supermarket. Seeing a copy of the National Enquirer, I remarked, 'Rush Limbaugh Caught in a Drug Ring!' To which the old lady behind me replied, 'As if. They made it up.'

I consider myself vindicated.

[The Duchess of Zeon]

Do you seriousily believe Rush would serve jail time? It's not like he shared an inhaler with a fellow schoolmate suffering an asthma attack.

If the story about his involving someone else (his housekeeper) in his acquiring of drugs is true, then, yes, they would probably jail even him.

[TrailerParkJawa]

Do you seriousily believe Rush would serve jail time? It's not like he shared an inhaler with a fellow schoolmate suffering an asthma attack.

If the story about his involving someone else (his housekeeper) in his acquiring of drugs is true, then, yes, they would probably jail even him.

Not really. Rich people most often get to go to treatment. Only when they become repeat offenders do they get some jail time.

[Darth Fanboy]

I wonder what Al Franken thinks bout this?

"Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Addict?"

[Gil Hamilton]

I wonder what Al Franken thinks bout this?

"Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Addict?"

When Al Franken was on Leno, there was much schadenfruede going down.

[CelesKnight]

I cannot describe the joy I get when some fat loud mouthed hypocritical son of a bitch gets cauight in his own bullshit. I wish someone would go back and find every refrenece he has made about drug addicts and played it or put it up in a web site because I am sooooo sure that there were some VERY negative remarks.

I saw someone try this a week or so ago when the accusations first came out. Apparently, he hasn't said anything against drug users in almost a decade.

You know, it really took quite a lot of courage from Mr. Limbaugh to come out and openly admit to his addiction precisely considering that attitude among conservatives--an addiction like this may be evidence of a weak will (and that's not really an indictment of the addicted because about 70% of society is weak-willed), quite so, but this is the conquest of that lack of will to admit one's addiction and work towards rectification of it. But of course you would never think about that...

It took courage to admit it, particularly considering that he could potentially face criminal charges. However, I don't think that things are too dire for him. Americans are remarkably forgiving when someone owns up to their mistakes. If he had come forward before the investigation, this would already be a non-issue, and any attempt to make it one would likely backfire or simply go unnoticed. As it stands, I wouldn't be surprised if his audience welcomes him back as soon as he's out of rehab, with his credibility (such as it ever was) slowly restored over the next few years.

[neoolong]

Do you seriousily believe Rush would serve jail time? It's not like he shared an inhaler with a fellow schoolmate suffering an asthma attack.

If the story about his involving someone else (his housekeeper) in his acquiring of drugs is true, then, yes, they would probably jail even him.

Not really. Rich people most often get to go to treatment. Only when they become repeat offenders do they get some jail time.

Robert Downey Jr. springs to mind.

[The Duchess of Zeon]

Robert Downey Jr. springs to mind.

How many patsies did he use?

[Bob McDob]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! Suck on that, Federal Drug Administration!

[Next of Kin]

I cannot describe the joy I get when some fat loud mouthed hypocritical son of a bitch gets cauight in his own bullshit. I wish someone would go back and find every refrenece he has made about drug addicts and played it or put it up in a web site because I am sooooo sure that there were some VERY negative remarks.

I don't know if I'll go back and find every single reference but here is one of Rush's little gems:

...send the people who want to do drugs to London and Zurich, and let's be rid of them.
-- Rush Limbaugh show, Dec 9, 1993

Shall we log on to Expedia and buy him a one way ticket?