K-Love's Jon Rivers: Painkiller Addiction Led to Sudden Departure

K-Love radio's Jon and Sherry Rivers (and Lexi) have re-surfaced to solve the mystery of their disappearance from the K-Love Morning Show several months ago. Speculation ranged widely, but in the end it turned out Jon was brought to his knees by the same demon that has haunted Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Rush Limbaugh and so many others publicly and privately: prescription painkillers.

Jon Rivers announced in a letter on K-Love's website front page that he had his family and friends to thank for tackling him to the ground, in a figurative sense, and holding him accountable for recognizing that the prescription medication had taken over his life. He gave thanks for them and for his spiritual resources that are helping him recover, and apologized to fans to the sudden, silent departure, taking full responsibility himself.

K-Love is a network of hundreds of noncommercial radio stations throughout the U.S. as well as streaming audio on the Internet. "Positive and Encouraging" on-air talent, news, and Christian music are supported by listener contributions and other backing, rather than commercials. Jon and Sherry Rivers' sudden departure from K-Love's Morning Show was out of character for the station, and loyal and supportive fans have been waiting for the news that has just been posted, along with providing supportive prayer for the Rivers family.

Prescription painkillers are, as most Americans are now aware, an equal-opportunity substance when it comes to addiction. Many who become addicted were following doctor's orders for a legitimate and painful condition when they first started taking them, only to find that it was up to them to deal with the aftermath as addiction set in.

The Food and Drug Administration has recently been addressing problems of misuse and overdose, especially with time-release painkillers such as Oxycontin. Increased controls such as reduced dispensing amounts, frequent doctor visits to update prescriptions and other precautions present a further hardship, however, for the increasing numbers of patients with fibromyalgia, chronic back pain, cancer and many other conditions.

As Jon Rivers begins to share his journey of recovery through his Christian faith, he is discussing issues such as the need for his family to take drastic measures to get his attention and help him start recovery, and why they felt that maintaining their privacy was necessary in the early stages of stopping the addiction.

Reviewing media coverage of others whose medical treatment took a wrong turn shows the challenge that recovering celebrities face as the mainstream media's often uninformed, judgmental and shaming comments. There is even sometimes the involvement of law enforcement and the casting of suspicion on medical professionals involved such as in Michael Jackson's case, which hamper the recovery process and encourage others snared by prescription painkillers to keep their problems to themselves and unsolved.

The K-Love community is reaching out to Jon, Sherry and Lexi Rivers in support, learning in the process how Christian healing takes place and also how anyone can unwittingly become an addict, especially those for whom it seems so unlikely. For those who wish to learn more or become more involved, K-Love has several Facebook pages and Twitter accounts as well as an active website.

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