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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: LindyBill who wrote (16623)	11/18/2003 12:22:14 PM
From: DMaA	Respond to of 793800

As I was walking the dog yesterday, I was listening to National Peoples Radio Collective. An MD, pain specialist was being interviewed. His point of view was there is no reason in the world that people with chronic pain shouldn't be treated with oxycontin(sp?) or other narcotic pain killers. It can make their lives worth living. I agree. I hope this Limbaugh episode doesn't make it harder for people to get help for their pain.

To: LindyBill who wrote (16623)	11/18/2003 3:05:28 PM
From: Neeka	Respond to of 793800

Part of his punishment for his addiction will be that his enemies will be able to turn his own words against him. But given his willingness to accept responsibility for his own failings and speak truthfully and even soberly about them, he doesn't have to worry that his fans will desert him anytime soon. I wouldn't be surprised if his listening audience increases. Listened a bit today and he seems like the same guy to me. The medication didn't affect his thinking at all imo. I don't know what the problem is with long term OxyContin treatment, but imo, if it helps, why not? One more pov, although I don't sense a gentler Limbaugh. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gentler Limbaugh returns from drug rehab to airwaves Peter Hartlaub, Chronicle Staff Writer Tuesday, November 18, 2003 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rush Limbaugh's return to the radio on Monday was part dittohead and part "Dr. Phil,'' as the popular conservative host spoke openly and emotionally about his addiction to painkillers and promised more in the weeks to come. Limbaugh had been missing from the airwaves since Oct. 10, spending more than a month in a rehabilitation clinic in Arizona. Limbaugh told listeners that he left the clinic Wednesday with a better outlook on life. "I thought I was going into a treatment center to be treated for an addiction to opiates, to painkillers,'' Limbaugh said in the first few minutes of his program. "And I was, but it's about so much more than that.'' Limbaugh used the bulk of his three-hour return to catch up with some old foes -- attacking Sen. Edward Kennedy and peace activists, among others -- and he promised that no one at the clinic tried to turn him into a "linguini-spined liberal.'' But he also showed a gentler side, at times sounding more like Al Franken's affirmation-fueled "Saturday Night Live'' character, Stuart Smalley, than the conservative talk radio firebrand his fans crave. "I can no longer try to live my life by making other people happy,'' Limbaugh said during one of several talks about his addiction in the first hour of his show. "I can no longer turn over the power of my feelings to anybody else, which is what I have done a lot of my life.'' Limbaugh's trip to rehab came after he endured a tough month in the media. In early October, he quit his job as an ESPN sports analyst after suggesting that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb is overrated because journalists want a black quarterback to succeed. At about the same time, the National Enquirer broke a story featuring an interview with Limbaugh's maid that linked the radio host to the abuse of OxyContin pills. Law enforcement sources in Florida confirmed that his drug use was under investigation by the state attorney's office. Limbaugh didn't address that issue directly on Monday but promised more conversation in the weeks to come. "It's quite hilarious to listen to people quote the National Enquirer as the world's foremost authority,'' he said. "And I'm here to tell you they're not, ladies and gentlemen. What you know, what you think you know, you don't know. But you will when I am able to tell you all about it. And I hope that is very, very soon.'' While legal issues didn't make it in the program, Limbaugh was very open about his path to addiction. He said he became addicted years ago when a doctor prescribed painkillers after back surgery. Limbaugh said he needed another surgery, but it would have involved a 2 percent chance of losing his voice -- a chance he didn't want to take, considering his occupation. Limbaugh said he tried to detox twice by force of will to no avail and is now certain he couldn't have faced his demons without help. "What I endured was a wonderful process,'' Limbaugh said. "I think what I went through these last five weeks is as important as the first grade. And maybe the second grade. It's something that ... I wish I could have done 30 years ago.'' E-mail Peter Hartlaub at phartlaub@sfchronicle.com. sfgate.com