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In recent years, the prescription drug addictions of many
public figures have come to light. One of the most tragic personal prescription
drug addiction stories in recent years is that of radio commentator Rush
Limbaugh. He achieved a level of fame, wealth, and influence that most people
would envy, but he dealt with a privately devastating prescription drug
addiction.
Rush Limbaugh is a prominent conservative talk show host and
author. Around 20 million listeners tune into his radio show Monday through
Friday. He wrote several books that have become bestsellers and have sold
millions of copies. His conservative opinions (including calls for personal
responsibility and clean living) and quick wit made him a national superstar;
many people were shocked when it developed that he was addicted to drugs,
himself.
In October of 2003, Palm Beach County Police linked Rush
Limbaugh to the illegal black market of prescription drugs. Limbaugh admitted
that he had become addicted to prescription pain medication several years
earlier, when he underwent a spinal surgery. The surgery was unsuccessful and
the radio commentator continued to experience excruciating pain in his lower
back and neck. He claimed that he checked himself into treatment centers on two
previous occasions to try to quit using the pain pills.
Though Limbaugh spoke out against drug use many times on his
radio broadcast, he came clean about his own problems soon after the story
broke in other news outlets. He made no excuses for his addiction and entered a
treatment center for a third and final time.
Rush Limbaugh has since returned to his radio show and
claims that he is now drug free, but the ordeal lost him the respect of some of
his former listeners and provided those who disagree with his views evidence
that he is a hypocrite.
While Rush Limbaugh recovered relatively quickly from his
addiction, he went through many hard times before being able to cure his
addiction, and the severe hearing loss he suffered was likely a result of the
drugs he was taking. The hearing loss seems to have been adequately resolved
with the use of a cochlear implant. However, many personal prescription drug
stories do not end as well as Limbaughs; some end in death.
Article written by Damian Sofsian
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