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"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 "
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
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
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
Steve Plamann, executive editor of The National Enquirer, said he was gratified by Limbaugh's admission and his plans to seek help She could not confirm that was Limbaugh's case without access to his medical history
Premiere spokesman Michael Sitrick said Limbaugh is expected to return to his program after completing treatment "
Limbaugh gave up his job as an ESPN sports analyst Oct com
However, Limbaugh said that reports about his addiction have inaccuracies and distortions which he will clarify when he is able to speak about them
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 I have recently agreed with my physician about the next steps We just reported the facts," Plamann said Limbaugh's attorney, Roy Black, did not return a message seeking comment He had surgery to have an electronic device placed in his skull to restore his hearing
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 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 The tabloid had interviewed Wilma Cline, who said she became Limbaugh's drug connection after working as his maid rushlimbaugh "
Attempts to reach Limbaugh by phone, e-mail, fax and at his Florida home were unsuccessful Friday
Limbaugh said he started taking painkillers "some years ago" after a doctor prescribed them following a spinal surgery 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
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 Source Confirms Limbaugh Investigation
Oct 11, 2:55 PM EST
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 I am addicted to prescription pain medication 5, 1995 And we have laws against selling drugs, pushing drugs, using drugs, importing drugs
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On the Net:
http://www His back pain stemming from the surgery persisted, so Limbaugh said he started taking pills and became hooked
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 Several guest hosts were scheduled until then
"Drug use, some might say, is destroying this country
"We didn't do our stories gleefully
"You know I have always tried to be honest with you and open about my life," Limbaugh said Gail Ishiyama, an assistant professor at the UCLA department of neurology She said Limbaugh had abused OxyContin and other painkillers
Limbaugh reported two years ago that he had lost most of his hearing because of an autoimmune inner-ear disease , 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
"So I need to tell you today that part of what you have heard and read is correct
The reports of possible drug abuse surfaced at about the same time, first in the National Enquirer |