Moteurs News

While drug addiction, substance abuse, and drug overdoses affect thousands each year, many of those affected are innocent.

First, there is the addict themselves. But, second, there are the people surrounding them – their family, friends, and coworkers. Lastly, there are the strangers that pass them by each day just in everyday life. The addict mentality is usually one of “I am only hurting myself,” while we know this is not true because they also hurt their family and friends, the pain doesn’t stop there…

Sometimes, addicts even hurt strangers and most commonly in the event of a car accident.

One tell-tale sign that you have a problem with drugs or alcohol is that you become comfortable driving under the influence. You have developed the mentality that you are still a good driver and that the drugs or alcohol are not impairing you severely enough that you cannot operate a vehicle.

However, many people each year are killed by this mentality.

In a 2014 survey done by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 10 million people – aged 12 or older – reported driving while under the influence of illicit drugs during the previous year (the year before the survey was completed).

NSDUH also reported that men are more likely than women to drive while under the influence. In addition, those aged between 18 and 25 drive under the influence more often than those aged 26 and above do.

 

 

Even though it is never okay to drive under the influence, many people still do – ultimately, costing many people their lives.

In 2015, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 10,265 died in an alcohol-impaired crash. This number accounted for nearly one-third of all traffic-related deaths in the United States.

For those suffering from addiction, these are the kind of consequences that could last a lifetime. Driving under the influence, and furthermore causing a fatal accident, could put you in jail for many years.

If you or someone you know participate in impaired driving – whether it be drinking or doing drugs – find ways to change the situation:

• Offer to be the designated driver, or if you are impaired plan ahead to have a designated driver.
• Discuss the risks of driving in advance with your friends to ensure everyone is on the same page.
• Keep the car keys out of sight so no one is tempted to drive after drinking or doing drugs.
• Always know your limit. Be prepared to stop before you have had too much and are over the legal limit.
• Seek luxury drug rehabilitation as soon as possible.

 

 

If you are struggling with addiction and feel like you’re alone…

Don’t.

Thousands of others, probably quite a few around you that you don’t even know about, struggle with addiction every day. And, even several stars – athletes, musicians, race car drivers – struggle with addiction, too.

 

In 2007, Aaron Fike was arrested on suspicion of heroin possession. Following this event, his story unraveled.

ESPN Magazine Interview

In an interview with ESPN Magazine, Fike, who was 25 at the time, told the media outlet that he had been for eight months. Moreover, his heroin addiction came after a six-year addiction to painkillers. Fike said his drug addiction stemmed from injuries he suffered in a sprint car crash.

In the weeks leading up to his arrest, Fike’s heroin usage which began as a once-a-week experiment had become a daily routine. Fike has also admitted that not only had he secretly been struggling with drug addiction for years, but that he had also shot up with heroin even on some race days.

At the time of his arrest, Fike was with his fiancée. The two were found at an amusement park in their car in possession of an array of drug paraphernalia, including bloody napkins, a 100-count box of syringes and black tar heroin.

Addiction in The Automotive Industry

However, Fike is not the only NASCAR driver who has been found to struggle with substance abuse. Since 2000, there has been a total of seven NASCAR drivers who have been found to have substance abuse problems and have been suspended indefinitely. Of those seven drivers, four failed or missed a drug test and the other three, including Fike, were caught by police.

Wrapping It Up

These events just go to show that nobody is above addiction and you cannot safely assume that someone is not susceptible to it. Addiction can cost you so much more than money – it can cost you your freedom, and in the event of these NASCAR drivers, their job.

Fike’s story is a great example of how addiction usually begins with something small – a gateway. Oftentimes, with drugs, an addict begins regularly taking an easy to obtain and less harmful drug. After that, the addiction and drug of choice just continue to escalate.

For alcoholics, it might begin with only drinking on the weekends, then switch to drinking a few days during the week as well, and before they know it they are binge drinking on a daily basis.