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Limbaugh Faces Random Drug Testing
May 4, 2006

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News Summary

A plea deal that allows radio commentator Rush Limbaugh to avoid prison on charges related to prescription-drug misuse includes random drug testing for the next 18 months, the Associated Press reported May 3.

Limbaugh, who was accused of 'doctor shopping' to feed an addiction to powerful painkillers like OxyContin, won't be criminally charged if he complies with the testing and continues attending addiction treatment.

The deal does not include a requirement for the conservative talk-show host to admit his guilt, and in fact Limbaugh has been declaring victory in the case, saying the agreement shows that he is not guilty of the charges. "I haven't even craved a painkiller since I got out of rehab," he told listeners recently.

Limbaugh's attorney, Roy Black, said the deal said was "a commonsense resolution and the appropriate way the state should treat people who have admitted an addiction to prescription pain medication and voluntarily sought treatment."

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by Adaiah Gooden, MA BHT CL on 28 Apr 09 08:49 AM EDT
What a shame for those with enough "clout" to be able to get off and declare victory. I work in a methadone clinic and none of my clients have that luxury. Indeed, some have endured loss of work, inability to find work, loss of family and relapse. I wonder how fortunate he would be if he wasn't a "celebrity"? Guess that could be said of anyone with enough money and/or recognition. Poor examples of real life.

Posted by Tom on 01 Jul 09 08:46 AM EDT
In regards to the above post. Those people at the Methadone clinic simply have people swap one addiction for another. People do have real pain and sometimes need medications just to live some type of normal life, that or be bed ridden with chronic pain. I have personally had 3 back operations and a abdominal aorta aneuryms repaired and it was laying on my bad spine, pulsating on the heart beat, it felt like a man with a hammer beating on those bad disk...What are you to do, die with high blood pressure or take something to ease you off!! I am not taking up for anyone on either side of this topic

Posted by Jenn Lively MEd., NCAC on 06 Jul 09 12:54 PM EDT
Rush can put a spin on anything! Only he would use the term "victory" referring to getting out of a guilty charge. I would have a tad bit of repect for him if his "victory" was one day at a time over his addiction -instead of his case! Some people are constitutionally incapable of understanding or aquiring a true recovery.

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