Fox News’ Bob Beckel Is Fired After Battling Prescription Drug Addiction

Bob Beckel by PVSBond licensed under CC BY3.0

 

 

I’m not really one for Fox News, or politics in general, but many are familiar with the antics of Bob Beckel. Whatever your opinion of The Fox commentator, he commentates no more- at least not on Fox News. According to Mediaite, after sustaining back surgery Beckel became addicted to the prescription medications given to him. Backel fought back and went to a residential drug rehabilitation center to overcome the disease. Backel missed seven months of air time attributed to his original surgery and difficulty with addiction, but despite his steps towards getting sober, Fox News decided to cut him off the air completely, and ended his contract with them.

Seemingly, his severance from Fox News was mutually beneficial, but sparks began to fly when Fox News big shot, Bill Shine, took to twitter with a scathing comment. Mediaite quotes,

“We tried to work with Bob for months, but we couldn’t hold The Five hostage to one man’s personal issues. he took tremendous advantage of our generosity, empathy, and goodwill, and we simply came to the end of the road with him.”

Ouch! Talk about a public backstab.

Since we don’t have many details on the intricacies of Beckel’s prescription drug addiction and how Fox was allegedly “generous,” “goodwilled,” and “empathetic” we can’t point too many fingers. But it would appear Beckel’s public denouncement on social media by Shine was entirely uncalled for. That’s like blaming someone who missed work because they were recovering from open heart surgery.

The stigma of addiction is apparent in their dealings with Beckel, despite its medical recognition as a medical and mental disease. You’d think a representative of Fox News would show more tact, and kindness towards a dedicated commentator like Beckel who hosted The Five since 2011. (Well, it is Fox News after all).

Beckel took to Twitter himself, not to fire back as one might presume of his combative attitude on live television, but to question Shine’s public disavowal. Mediaite quotes,

“I can’t understand the anger in Fox statement. I was healing from major back surgery I could not walk, I took no advantage. I got well.”

I suppose it’s no surprise Beckel didn’t mention anything about his addiction recovery, but it’s not like the public is receptive to the process of recovery for people with substance use disorders. But how can we learn and change that?

Surpassing the damning label of “addict” can only happen when we accept the disease of addiction is quantifiable and comes with measurable symptoms and consequences without treatment- just as any other treatable disease. Beckel’s endeavours to seek drug rehabilitation should be met with compassion and understanding.

What’s your take on the Beckel debate?

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