There's a difference when someone is taking the medication to get high and when they are taking it to relieve pain so that they can perform normal daily tasks, e.g., sitting, standing, walking, etc.
I thank God that my pain management doctor never precribed the more addicitive medications such as oxycontin, etc. However, I would be the first to say that without a medication regime, I would be miserable from the chronic pain, as I was before.
And don't give me the crap about chiropracters, etc. I've been to them and they have done a wonderful job. Likewise, exercise, diet, attending Church, prayers, all are good, but they too have limits. When a disk is pressing on nerve, and it''s not operable for all practical purposes, you simply are faced with the choice of living with the pain or trying to treat it so that you can reasonably function through the day.
The real failure was that of Rush's doctors for not providing him less addictive alternatives.
He will certainly be in my prayers.