Julian Borger in Washington
Saturday October 11, 2003
The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/internatio...060907,00.html

The king of American talk-radio, Rush Limbaugh, stunned his 20 million
conservative listeners yesterday by confessing on air to years of addiction
to painkillers and declaring he had booked himself into a drug clinic for a
month.

The confession came days after the tabloid revelations of a former maid who
claimed she bought thousands of prescription pills on the black market for
Mr Limbaugh, and the confirmation by the police near his Florida home that
they were looking into an illegal drug ring.

The revelations sent shock waves through Middle America, where the talk-show
host has been one of the most influential figures over the past decade,
appealing to poor, angry whites with a mixture of conservative values and
vehement loathing of the liberal "elites" that he claims dominate the east
and west coasts and the national media.

"You know I have always tried to be honest with you and open about my life.
So I need to tell you today that part of what you have heard and read is
correct. I am addicted to prescription pain medication," Mr Limbaugh, said
on his radio show yesterday, explaining that he became addicted after he was
prescribed painkillers after back surgery several years ago.

"Immediately following this broadcast, I am checking myself into a treatment
centre for the next 30 days to once and for all break the hold this highly
addictive medication has on me," Mr Limbaugh said.

The revelation was the latest controversy to engulf the radio personality.
Last week, he resigned as a commentator on American football following an
on-air suggestion that one player was overrated because he was black. The
remarks provoked uproar.

According to press reports Mr Limbaugh was taking two drugs: OxyContin and
hydrocodone. The right-wing icon's plight has illustrated a quiet epidemic
spreading across America, particularly in rural areas, where OxyContin
dependence is so prevalent the powerful painkiller is known as "hillbilly
heroin".
In 2001, Mr Limbaugh signed a nine year radio syndication deal worth well
over $200m (£120m). In part, his career has hinged on denunciation of
liberal attitudes, including tolerance towards drug-addicted celebrities. He
was aware of the irony in his remarks yesterday.

"Over the years athletes and celebrities have emerged from treatment centres
to great fanfare and praise for conquering great demons. They are said to be
great role models and examples for others," the 52-year-old radio host said.

Well, I am no role model. I refuse to let anyone think I am doing something
great here, when there are people you never hear about, who face long odds
and never resort to such escapes. They are the role models. I am no
victim... I take full responsibility for my problem."