Author: The Fix

Tainted Alcohol To Blame For 25 Deaths In Costa Rica

The death toll from tainted alcohol keeps rising in Costa Rica, with dozens more hospitalized.

Authorities in the Central American country of Costa Rica have seized thousands of containers of alcohol and shut down some establishments that serve liquor as the death toll from methanol poisoning has climbed this summer to 25.

The country’s Health Ministry said in a statement that 59 people have been hospitalized in connection with the tainted alcohol; 25 of them have died. Though Costa Rica is a popular tourist destination, the Health Ministry said that nearly everyone who has been affected has been a resident of Costa Rica.

“The Costa Rica Tourism Institute reaffirms that no tourists have been affected by adulterated alcohol in Costa Rica, and that visitor safety is priority. The local authorities continue to monitor the situation and work to understand and remain transparent about the investigation,” Costa Rica Tourism Board representative Thalia Guest told USA Today.

A Tourist’s Account

However, one American man who had recently left Costa Rica believes he was affected by the poisoning. California resident Walker Barnes, 25, told NBC News that he drank rum the night before leaving Costa Rica. When he returned home he was hospitalized for extreme pain and aches.

At first his doctors were confused about what the condition could be, but when Barnes shared reports about the poisoned alcohol with his medical team, they agreed that it sounded like he was dealing with methanol poisoning.

Methanol is a type of alcohol not intended for consumption. It’s said that people will add methanol to liquor in order to increase the volume of the drink. It’s believed to be the substance poisoning people in Costa Rica.

In Costa Rica, most of the poisonings have been reported in San José, the capital, and in Alajuela, another city. The victims have ranged in age from 32 to 72, and have included 19 men and six women. Six brands of alcohol are known to have been affected. They are Guaro Montano, Guaro Gran Apache, Aguardiente Estrella, Aguardiente Barón Rojo, Aguardiente Timbuka, and Aguardiente Molotov.

Proceed With Caution

In July, the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica urged people traveling to the country to proceed with caution when drinking, especially from the brands that have been connected with poisonings.

“The Embassy strongly recommends all persons avoid consuming alcohol from these brands,” the Embassy said in a statement. “The Government of Costa Rica is investigating the situation and the Embassy remains in contact Costa Rica authorities regarding the ongoing investigation.”

View the original article at thefix.com

22 August 2019
Mexico May Allow Cocaine Use For Two People

Mexico did not legalize cocaine. But that could change for two unidentified individuals if a court ruling is upheld.

No, Mexico did not legalize cocaine. However, a tribunal may decide to uphold a Mexican court’s decision seeking to allow possession, transport and use of cocaine for two people.

The court’s ruling would only take effect if confirmed by the tribunal. The case could end up in Mexico’s Supreme Court, USA Today reported. And it would only apply to the two individuals who have not been identified.

The reason behind the court’s ruling to allow cocaine for the two is also unknown.

In May, the court ordered Mexico’s health authority—COFEPRIS (the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risk)—to allow the two people to possess, transport and use cocaine—but not buy or sell it.

So far COFEPRIS said it has moved to block the court order.

Drug Policy Reformers Speak Out

Mexico United Against Crime (MUCD), a drug policy reform group, said it is hoping the court’s decision will spur the government to focus more on preventing violent crime. In 2018, Mexico counted a record 33,341 homicides. In the first half of 2019, Mexico has already seen 17,608 homicides.

“We have been working for a safer, more just and peaceful Mexico for years, and with this case we insist on the need to stop criminalizing users of drugs other than marijuana and design better public policies that explore all available options, including the regulation,” said Lisa Sánchez, director of MUCD.

The group helped influence the Supreme Court’s ruling in 2018 that an absolute ban on the recreational use of marijuana was unconstitutional.

Mexico has been grappling with unprecedented violence for years now. Drug policy experts point to the fallout of former President Felipe Calderon’s war on drug cartels that he waged over his six-year term (2006-2012). In that time period, about 120,000 homicides were logged in Mexico.

Decriminalization

Now, under President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the country is considering drug decriminalization. The policy was proposed under the administration’s National Development Plan released this year.

The text signals a desire to move away from long-held prohibitionist policies, and toward a new strategy that won’t repeat past mistakes.

“In the matter of narcotic drugs, the prohibitionist strategy is already unsustainable, not only because of the violence generated by its poor results in terms of public health,” according to the translated text provided by Marijuana Moment.

“Worse still, the prohibitionist model inevitably criminalizes consumers and reduces their odds of social reintegration and rehabilitation.”

View the original article at thefix.com

22 August 2019
FDA Proposes New Graphic Health Warnings For Cigarettes

The current text warnings haven’t been updated since 1984.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is renewing its push for updated warnings and graphic images on packs of cigarettes meant to catch people’s attention and ensure users know the risks of smoking tobacco products.

The current text warnings haven’t been updated since 1984, and the FDA believes that they have long gone unnoticed by consumers.

“With these new proposed cigarette health warnings, we have an enormous public health opportunity to fulfill our statutory mandate and increase the public’s understanding of the full scope of serious negative health consequences of cigarette smoking,” said acting FDA Commissioner Ned Sharpless, MD, in a press release. “Given that tobacco use is still the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the U.S., there’s a lot at stake to ensure the public understands these risks.”

The FDA believes that the current Surgeon General’s warnings that appear on cigarettes and product ads have become “virtually invisible to both smokers and nonsmokers” over the years.

Big Tobacco Pushes Back

The agency made its first attempt to update these warnings with large, colorful graphics depicting health issues such as diseased lungs and cancerous neck tumors in June 2011.

However, they were challenged in court by tobacco companies on the grounds that they were “crafted to evoke a strong emotional response,” which they argued violated their freedom of speech. The U.S. Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia sided with the cigarette makers in August 2012, and the FDA went back to the drawing board to create usable warning labels.

According to AP News, eight health groups sued the FDA in 2016 when the new warning labels didn’t appear. Three years later, the agency is ready to finalize a new rule proposed on the 15th for warnings backed by research and designed to fill what FDA Tobacco Director Mitch Zeller called “significant gaps in [the public’s] understanding of all of the diseases and conditions associated with smoking.”

Zeller believes the new designs will be able to weather any legal challenges.

Currently, close to 120 countries have adopted the kind of graphic warnings the FDA is proposing, and studies have suggested that they work as intended. According to one study from 2014, graphic warnings “lowered intention to smoke in the future among those with a moderate lifetime smoking history (between 1 and 100 cigarettes), and they increased intention to quit smoking among those with a heavy lifetime smoking history (more than 100 cigarettes).”

Deaths from smoking-related illnesses have remained high over the decades, and have actually increased among women, even as the percentage of Americans who smoke has decreased. It causes over seven million deaths worldwide every year and is the leading cause of preventable death.

View the original article at thefix.com

22 August 2019
Dylan McDermott Celebrates 35 Years Of Sobriety

The prolific actor took to Instagram to celebrate his sober milestone.

Actor Dylan McDermott celebrated 35 years sober this week. In a heartfelt Instagram post (Aug. 19), the actor shouted out Alcoholics Anonymous and his adoptive mother, Tony award-winning playwright Eve Ensler, for helping him on his journey.

“Today is my Sober Birthday. 35 years! Staying sober has been my greatest accomplishment. I say that because I was able to show up for myself in every way possible,” The Practice actor said in the caption accompanying a photo of himself. “In the most turbulent and best of times I had the rock of the 12 steps to guide me. I was able to be a father, son, brother and friend.”

The Golden Globe winner, whose adoptive mother is Tony Award-winning playwright Eve Ensler, mentioned his birth parents in his post. “Proud of this day because many in my family including my birth mother and father struggled with addiction. It was brutal to witness. I’ve also seen many who didn’t make it and that truly breaks my heart.”

Childhood Trauma

In 2012, Today reported that the mystery surrounding McDermott’s mother’s 1967 death had been solved after authorities reopened the case.

Five-year-old McDermott was outside the apartment when his mother, Diane, was shot dead by her boyfriend John Sponza.

Sponza claimed at the time that Diane had died by suicide, but upon further investigation after McDermott later inquired about the case with Connecticut police, her death was ruled murder by Sponza.

According to the Republican-American, McDermott explained to the police the reason he pursued his mother’s case. “In order for me to survive and to get where I am today, I needed to bury that moment in my life deep within myself,” police reported him as saying. “I’ve come to the point in my life where I’m able to begin to process all of this.”

Recovery Journey

The trauma of witnessing his mother’s death was no doubt part of McDermott’s healing journey.

He concluded his Instagram post by giving credit to those who helped him along the way and encouraging treatment for those who need it.

“If you’re hurting please get help,” he wrote. “The loving hand of #AlcoholicsAnonymous is always available! Without the guidance of my sponsor and @EveEnsler I would not be here today. I will be forever grateful to them!”

“I look forward to many more years of sobriety, trudging the road of happy destiny…”

View the original article at thefix.com

22 August 2019
Heather Locklear "Grateful" To Be Sober Ahead Of Rehab Stay

The Spin City actress posted on social media after being ordered to a 30-day treatment program.

Heather Locklear is preparing to enroll in a month-long treatment program.

The Melrose Place actress was ordered by a judge to complete a 30-day treatment program after she pleaded no contest to eight misdemeanor charges for attacking police officers and EMTs on two separate occasions.

She posted a photo on Instagram of various items including a photo of her dog Mister and a notebook cover with the message “You’re still sober. Keep that shit up.” Locklear captioned the photo: “So grateful.”

Her post was met with supportive comments. “Good for you. Keep up the fight!” one said. “Stay strong! One day at a time,” another commented.

First responders were called to Locklear’s California home in February and June of 2018 for “disturbances” including a fight with her boyfriend in the February incident.

Following the June incident, Locklear was hospitalized for a possible overdose, People reported at the time.

That November, Locklear was placed on a 5150 psychiatric hold after her therapist determined that she was having a mental breakdown.

The actress had been charged with five misdemeanor counts of battery on a peace officer, two misdemeanor counts of resisting an officer and one misdemeanor count of battery on an emergency medical technician. Each carried a maximum sentence of one year in Ventura County jail.

Personal Crisis

Locklear’s attorney Bill Haney said that she was going through a “personal crisis” that exacerbated the incidents. He said that she is “apologetic to the first responders who were present.”

Locklear will avoid a 120-day jail sentence if she completes the 30-day treatment program. She must enroll in treatment by September 6. Then, Locklear will be under three years of unsupervised probation during which she may not have weapons, non-prescribed medication or alcohol, according to Page Six.

Locklear is a six-time Golden Globe Award nominee for her roles in Melrose Place and Spin City.

Legal Troubles

The actress has had her share of legal troublessince 2008, when she was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of prescription drugs. That year, she had sought help for depression and anxiety.

Despite the actress’ troubled history, people have come back from worse, and fans remain hopeful for Locklear.

View the original article at thefix.com

22 August 2019
6 Amazing Benefits of Giving Up Alcohol and Joining a Sober Community

We no longer look for short-lived highs followed by compounded messes and erratic emotions. In our willingness to be present, to be aware of our inner lives, step by step we create the lives we really want to live.

Hi, I’m Karolina and a proud member of the sober community. I didn’t really think I’d ever find myself here. Sure, I had a love-hate relationship with alcohol that filled me with more hate after each hangover, but who doesn’t? I didn’t identify as a “problem” drinker as a lot of my drinking looked like what everyone else was doing. Was I even allowed to quit?

And yet there was that unease, that cognitive dissonance; I knew I was made for more than hangxiety and regret. After years of feeling stuck, I finally tried sobriety as an experiment and fell in love with my new life. It turned out everything I truly wanted was just on the other side of my fear: happiness, purpose, friendships, love, and growth.

And so here I am. I’m not in AA or traditional recovery (although I’ve been working on my self-development through other tools, books, and community groups since I quit). I don’t relate to words like “relapse” or sayings like “one day at a time.”

I wondered: did I fit in here? Into this landscape of sober people? For a long time, I didn’t even like using the word “sober,” because it felt so antithetical to what I was experiencing in my alcohol-free life. I was discovering joy(!) and gratitude, not somber misery. Why was it painted to me so grimly before? This was life in HD technicolor.

The love I have for my new life is the result of the connections I’ve made with sober women and men. In all the other associations and lives I’ve led, I have never found such an openhearted, empathetic group of support and friends. Adding my own voice to the sober community and sharing advice with those who are still on the other side of fear has given me a new purpose. A sense of place. A calling.

And yet it’s such a diverse space. We all have different stories, different identities, and life experiences. And we use varied methods and paths to find our happier selves. Some of us are in AA, some of us make our own way. Some of us have experienced deep trauma, others are the epitome of privilege or luck. Some of us turn to logic-based approaches, while others turn to spiritual ones.

We may have our own unique paths, but we have so much more in common:

1. We No Longer Settle

We knew it well. Waking up frazzled, in pain, sad, and ashamed. Is it possible to have a hangover without having an existential crisis at the same time? Who was that person last night? Why did she do this to me? I can’t keep on like this. And yet it keeps happening, because alcohol is our plus one. The world told us to drink. We listened. And even though it feels miserable at times, drinking seems safer and easier, a comfort zone of sorts.

And then one day it hits us. Screw “safe” and “easy.” We stop settling for hangovers. We stop settling for complacency. We stop settling for mediocrity. And it trickles down into our lives, because when you stop asking yourself if your life is okay and instead ask if it’s actually fulfilling, you get to the real heart of the matter.

2. We Look for Deeper Connection

Scientists say humans are prone to addiction when they are isolated and lonely. And what’s lonelier than pretending everything is fine? Or fake friends forged over boozy conversation that you can’t remember the next day? It’s a disconnection that hurts our souls, and once we go sober, it doesn’t stand. We can no longer fake it, and we open up to the vulnerable inside us.

We look for real connection, with people who really see us and honor our life. We strengthen bonds with loved ones, free to finally be comfortable in our skin instead of always looking for something outside of us to find comfort. And we look to see our empowering lifestyle reflected in other badass men and women. The friends I’ve made in the sober community have completely transformed my life. It’s a space designed for love and support, ever growing with enthusiasm. Just look at the sober parties, the meetups, the community groups. We are hungry for the real deal of connectedness, and not the flimsy social glue served in a cup.

3. We Are Present in Our Lives

Life comes with feelings and stressful situations and doing hard things. And it also comes with joy and meaningful development and growth through adversity. Instead of being present with our feelings, we’re taught to have a drink, release a chemical reward, and numb uncomfortable thoughts. Abracadabra, instant gratification. A drink, the easiest solution to not deal with your life. And to train your brain to look for the easy rewards, to find entertainment so passively, you literally just sit on the couch.

But screw “easy,” we said. We want to be active agents in our life. We want to create, build, dream, and we want to feel. We no longer look for short-lived highs followed by compounded messes and erratic emotions. We embrace the uncomfortable and do hard things. Because that’s how you build your dream life. In our willingness to be present, to be aware of our inner lives, step by step we create the lives we really want to live. Finding gratitude, awe, beauty and the fulfillment that comes with awareness of your true desires.

4. We Rebuke Societal Conformity

How many people wouldn’t dare refuse a social drink for fear of standing out? Or because they worry others would assume they have a problem?

We sober folk not only have the bravery and courage to say no to drinks at cocktail parties, and networking events, and lately even yoga studios, but we also say no to societal conformity and the whole idea that alcohol is requisite to a fun and fulfilling life. Who said? Who profits when we believe this? We don’t and instead we question that entire line of reasoning and find our own self-actualization instead. When you look past societal pressure and a desire to fit in, you can find your true voice. It’s not just passing up a drink at the company happy hour. We don’t want to be like everyone else. We want to be exceptional.

5. We Smash Our Self-Limiting Beliefs

If we can quit alcohol, our Achilles heel, in a booze-soaked society, we can do anything. And we finally start to believe this ourselves. My love-hate relationship with alcohol led me to believe a number of things that weren’t inherently true about me: that I couldn’t have fun without booze, that I was awkward at socializing, that I couldn’t do hard things like run long distances or launch a business. And that most of all, I couldn’t go against the grain and opt out of drinking.

But I did it anyway. I smashed my self-limiting beliefs about alcohol, giving me the courage and confidence I needed to do a whole host of things I was scared of. I’ve seen it all around me in the sober-sphere. We speak up, write books, launch businesses, share our stories, run marathons, show our children healthier coping skills, and do so many things that our drinking selves were way too stuck to even attempt.

6. We Know the Art of Transformation

Our lives are masterpieces. We came here to expand our souls; we were meant to evolve and grow. And the role alcohol played in our lives and the ways we surmounted that allowed us to completely change everything. Most people say quitting alcohol was just the very first thing. The foundation that allowed everything else to fall into place. Our lives are dedicated to health and well-being and love and connection that not too long ago were overrun with shame and despair and insecurity. We practice gratitude and self-acceptance and self-love.

That’s the art of transformation and we know it well. We feel such hope and possibility for anyone coming to the same questioning about alcohol in their lives, because we know how much happiness and fulfillment lies on the other side. Change is scary and uncertain. And yet by letting go of what no longer served us, we completely reinvented our lives for the better.

From the very outset, I’ve been in awe by the bravery, whole-heartedness, and full embrace of life I’ve seen here. That set my aspirations way above a happy hour and allowed me to completely reinvent my life. Thank you for welcoming me.

What joys and epiphanies have you experienced in your new sober life? Tell us in the comments: What would you add to this list?

View the original article at thefix.com

22 August 2019
Treating Addiction with Ketamine, NAD+ and Aftercare

Because of the ketamine treatment, many people feel relief from symptoms of PTSD, depression and anxiety, all of which can be triggers for relapse.

Justin Hoffman’s relief from post-traumatic stress disorder began with the hiccups.

Not the cute and happy kind, but chronic hiccups that had to be treated with morphine and Thorazine in the emergency room. When he mentioned this to a colleague in the treatment industry, that doctor suggested ketamine as a possible treatment. When Hoffman received a dose of ketamine not only did the hiccups stop, but he experienced something unexpected.

“I felt like the PTSD that I had been walking around with was gone,” said Hoffman.

The experience led to Hoffman partnering with board-certified anesthesiologist Henry Liang to found Klarity Life, a treatment program that will be opening in Las Vegas this fall. The program consists of two aspects. At The House at Klarity Life, Hoffman, the program director, utilizes holistic therapies to facilitate healing in a luxurious setting where clients have private rooms and meals prepared by a private chef. Dr. Liang, the medical director at The Clinic at Klarity Life, gives patients NAD+ and ketamine infusions, as well as supplements, which allows a virtually painless detox.

Hoffman, nephew of the 1960’s counterculture icon Abbie Hoffman, was familiar with the benefits of nontraditional treatments. After spending 20 years hooked on opioids and trying over 30 rehab programs, he got sober with the help of plant-based medicine. That was six years ago, and since then he has worked to help other people achieve lasting sobriety by combining plant-based medicine with strict aftercare that includes nutrition, exercise and spiritual exploration.

“It made sense to open a safe, beautiful place, to teach other people the things that worked for me: like yoga, cryogenic therapy, nature, Qigong,” Hoffman said. “I started to watch the success rate for treating addiction rise from 30 percent with just plant-based medicine to 70 percent with aftercare.”

Hoffman had built a business and life around helping other people get sober using plant-based medicine, but when he tried ketamine for the first time he realized that it was an even more powerful tool for helping to treat addiction.

NAD+, a component of vitamin B3 (niacin), has long been used to treat withdrawal symptoms. Justin and Dr. Liang realized that the combination of NAD+ and ketamine, coupled with Hoffman’s rigorous aftercare program, would give people with substance use disorder the best chance of lasting sobriety.

“It clicked in my head that this is the best choice for addicts, even better than plant-based medicine,” he said.

The program facilitates healing by pairing The Clinic’s NAD+ and ketamine infusions and supplements with The House’s holistic aftercare regimen of clean eating, therapy, exercise and spiritual restoration. The infusions offer virtually painless detox as well as alleviate depression and PTSD symptoms; the aftercare teaches people how to live a full life without relying on drugs or alcohol.

“With this place, I cover all the bases: nutrition, spirituality and recovery,” Hoffman said. “After 30 rehabs and their protocols, I realized how archaic they are. They’re giving meds to cover symptoms. It’s like putting a Band-Aid on a laceration of throat. We don’t want to put a Band-Aid on anything.”

One of the most appealing parts of Klarity Life is that it offers clients nearly painless detox from almost any drug. Using infusions and supplement management in the first 24-72 hours, people who are dependent can detox without feeling severely ill. By day three to four of infusions, people are typically feeling great, Hoffman said. Infusions continue for eight to ten days, and for the rest of their stay clients focus on learning to live healthy, rewarding lives in recovery.

“We have you feeling good right away,” Hoffman said. “The rest of the time we’re working on healthy substitutes for what you’ve been doing in the past.”

As part of this, Hoffman exposes clients to an array of treatment modalities, from 12 step programs to SMART recovery. By sampling an array of recovery resources, clients can connect with the resources that work best for them.

“We want to expose them to all different types of therapy,” Hoffman said. “I want to embrace anything that is saving someone’s life. I’ve lost too many people to say my way is the only way.”

Because of the ketamine treatment, many people feel relief from symptoms of PTSD, depression and anxiety, all of which can be triggers for relapse. Healing this root cause of addiction, and then building the foundation for a life of healthy habits, is what sets Klarity Life apart, Hoffman said.

“We’ve been seeing miracles,” he said.

Klarity Life is a boutique rehab program opening this fall in Las Vegas, offering outpatient NAD+ and ketamine infusion therapy and a holistic approach to health and healing.

View the original article at thefix.com

21 August 2019
Using Naltrexone During Pregnancy Can Benefit Infants, Moms

A new study found that naltrexone was more effective than buprenorphine at preventing overdose during pregnancy.

Using naltrexone to treat pregnant women who have opioid use disorder can benefit both mother and child and reduce the chances of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), according to a study released this week.

The study, published in the journal Clinical Therapeutics, compared outcomes for mothers and babies when the mothers were treated with naltrexone (known by the brand name Vivitrol), compared with a group of mothers who were treated with buprenorphine.

Naltrexone vs. Buprenorphine

The study was small, with just six mothers treated with naltrexone and 12 treated with buprenorphine. However, the results were powerful. They showed that none of the infants whose mothers had been treated with naltrexone experienced neonatal abstinence syndrome.

On the other hand, 92% of the infants whose mothers used buprenorphine showed signs of neonatal abstinence syndrome, and 46% required medications to treat their withdrawal symptoms.

Eighty-three percent of mothers treated with naltrexone were able to initiate breastfeeding.

The study also found that naltrexone was more effective at preventing overdose during pregnancy, which is one of the biggest risk factors for the health of women and their fetuses.

All of the women taking naltrexone abstained from illicit opioid use during their pregnancy, but 23% of the women being treated with buprenorphine relapsed during their pregnancy. The authors noted in a news release that the most important aspect of treating opioid use disorder during pregnancy is keeping the mothers stable on their medication to decrease any risk of relapse.

“While these study results are preliminary, the outcomes we observed for both mother and baby when naltrexone is used to treat opioid use disorder during pregnancy are promising,” said study author Dr. Elisha Wachman, a neonatologist at Boston Medical Center.

Wachman said that there needs to be more study that compares long-term outcomes.

“Our findings support the need for a larger multi-center study examining the long-term maternal and child safety and efficacy outcomes of naltrexone during pregnancy,” she said. “If those studies yield positive outcomes for both mother and baby, continuing women on naltrexone during their pregnancy could be another safe approach to treat opioid use disorder.”

Over the past 10 years, the number of babies born dependent on opioids has increased five-fold. For these infants, the symptoms of neonatal abstinence syndrome appear in the first few days of life, and can include trouble eating, muscle rigidity, and an inability to be soothed.

Up to 80% of babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome require medications—including morphine, methadone and buprenorphine—to treat their symptoms.

View the original article at thefix.com

21 August 2019
Personal Trainer Inspires Fellowship In The Gym

Gary Rutherford offers personal training for others who are in recovery, helping them find fellowship in the gym.

Gary Rutherford struggled for years to get sober.

“The first conversation I remember about having a problem with alcohol was when I was 17,” the UK resident told the BBC. “That just continued when I went to university where I had no ties with family due to being in another country. I had freedom, but it spiraled and snowballed.”

Even when Rutherford’s drinking had negative consequences in his life, he wasn’t able to stop.

Rock Bottom

“I thought I had reached the end point so many times. I had broke my back in a car accident, I lost part of my thumb, I had dislocated a shoulder, I had broken ribs,” he said. “Even the breakdown of my first marriage wasn’t enough to bring the change around and neither was my first time in rehab.”

However, a three-month rehab stay finally helped Rutherford turn the corner. After that, he began focusing on fitness as a way to maintain his sobriety. He ran five marathons in a year and a half, and then began CrossFit training. Now, eight years into his sobriety, Rutherford offers personal training for others who are in recovery, helping them find fellowship in the gym.

“I want to find the strength in that person and draw it out. I want to make that person feel like a person, empower them, make them thrive, encourage them,” Rutherford said. “Somebody found the strength in me to let me see that I was actually okay, there was hope and I was worth something—it saved my life.”

Scott Reid, who joined Rutherford’s training group right after rehab, said that being part of the group made him feel that people really cared about his sobriety.

“In fact, Gary was the first person I told I had relapsed because I was too embarrassed to tell my family,” he said. “A group of six strangers came together and left as friends that understood one another. So if one of us felt down or was struggling we could pick up the phone or go out for a coffee or a walk or something.”

Kevin Canning, 37, said that participating in Rutherford’s program was the first time he had set foot in a gym.

“But it’s not all about the fitness side of things, because now I have a lot more support from these guys,” he said.

In addition to growing stronger physically, the group can share their tips for building the mental strength needed for recovery. That way, they can choose sobriety, one day at a time.

“I think the biggest hurdle for me, was that I had to decide that I didn’t want to drink,” Rutherford said. “I’d been told: ‘No, you can’t drink.’ But here’s the thing—it’s like a diet. If somebody says you can’t have chocolate, it’s all you want, and it’s the same for alcohol. I was resentful, so I had to make that switch in my mind that I could drink at any point, but I choose not to.”

View the original article at thefix.com

21 August 2019
Uber, Lyft Drivers Unknowingly Being Used As Drug Mules

From finding baggies in the backseat to being tipped with pills, these rideshare drivers have seen their share of close drug encounters.

Uber and Lyft may have zero-tolerance drug and alcohol policies whether you’re a passenger or behind the wheel—but drivers are nevertheless subjected to intoxicated passengers or those who are carrying, using or selling illegal drugs.

“We hear about this all the time. Drivers are concerned that they’re being used as drug mules in a lot of situations—unknowingly,” said attorney Bryant Greening of LegalRideshare, a Chicago-based law firm specializing in rideshare accidents and injuries.

When new passengers enter a Lyft or Uber, the driver can sense how well, or how badly, a ride will turn out. Anything from the smell of the passenger, to their clothing or how talkative they are, can give a driver a sense of how the trip will go.

Jennifer Reid, a rideshare driver in Joliet, Illinois, told CBS about one incident in which a mystery substance was left behind in her backseat.

“When they got out, I looked in the back because I had a feeling, and I saw the white baggie with a little bit left in it, and then some white powder on the floor and on the seat,” said Reid. She suspected that the white powdery substance was cocaine.

“I just was annoyed and upset that it was brought into my car like that, and the fact that they actually did it in my car,” she added. Uber later paid for her car to be cleaned.

Through working with the Chicago Rideshare Advocates, Reid asked other drivers to share similar stories. One driver recalled a passenger who tried to “tip me in pills.” Another said they keep Narcan on hand after experiencing one passenger whose “eyes were rolled back.”

Unpleasant Encounters

The stories don’t stop there. More shared their unpleasant encounters with erratic passengers with Business Insider.

One Las Vegas driver had to call the police after a passenger who “only ate a little shrooms” opened the door while the car was in motion. Another driver from Orlando went on a “six-hour ride once with tons of stops that I’m pretty sure was a drug run.”

Many more deal with erratic and intoxicated passengers on a regular basis, some who inflict damage on their vehicles.

View the original article at thefix.com

21 August 2019