In recent years, the prescription drug addictions of many public figures have come to light. One of the most tragic personal stories of prescription drug addiction 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 privately dealt with a devastating addiction to prescription drugs.
Rush Limbaugh is a noted conservative talk show host and author. Around 20 million listeners tune in to his radio show Monday through Friday. He wrote several books that have become best sellers and have sold millions of copies. His conservative views (including calls for personal responsibility and clean living) and quick wit made him a national superstar; many people were shocked when it became known that he himself was addicted to drugs.
In October 2003, Palm Beach County Police linked Rush Limbaugh to the illegal black market for prescription drugs. Limbaugh admitted that he had become addicted to prescription painkillers several years earlier when he underwent spinal surgery. The surgery was unsuccessful and the radio host continued to experience excruciating pain in his lower back and neck. He claimed that he checked into treatment centers on two previous occasions to try to stop using the pain pills.
Although Limbaugh spoke out against drug use many times on his radio broadcast, he opened up about his own struggles shortly after the story broke in other media outlets. He made no excuses for his addiction and entered a treatment center for the third and final time.
Rush Limbaugh has since returned to his radio show and claims he is now drug-free, but the ordeal has made him lose the respect of some of his former listeners and provided those who disagree with his views with evidence. that he is a hypocrite.
While Rush Limbaugh recovered relatively quickly from his addiction, he went through many difficult times before he was 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 don’t end as well as Limbaugh’s; some end in death.
