Utah Meth Cops Project Treatment Diary

Day 39

January 7^th, 2010-Today was my wrap up with Dr. Ross. A few more tests and a whole bunch of questions. Dr. Ross talked about where you go from here. The three lessons that are to be taken from the program are:

#1 Exercise a little bit every day,

#2 A balanced diet to include veggies, vitamins and minerals.

#3 Sauna a few times a week.

Exercise is a no brainer, we all should exercise more. I walk my dog twice a day and play Basketball and Racquetball every week. This is good but what we are talking about here is a daily routine of exercise that raises your heart rate and brings on a sweat. 30 minutes on that bike ride to nowhere or something else that produces the same demand on your body. The balanced diet is also common sense and requires two cups of veggies each day as well as a mix of items to give your body the vitamins and minerals it needs.

Last is this interesting concept of Sauna a few times a week. It does have some requirement. Dry sauna, at least 160 degrees, avoid wood and or any sauna environment that will hold or encourage mold, mildew or other spores. Why sauna? It gets your system cleaned out on an ongoing basis by sweating. It could be a trick finding a tiled dry sauna in your neighborhood so if you spot one out there let me know I am on the lookout for one.

There are other things you can and should do on a regular basis- Get more than six or more hours of sleep everyday.

The big question is was it worth it and what did sweating like a construction worker going to work with his daughter's pink lunch pail do for me?

Here it is-

I had headaches that could have been best described as one continuous low-grade headache that got worse at times.

My headaches are gone.

I had joint pain, back pain and neck pain all the time. It was bad enough that I was taking 800-1200 mg of Ibuprofen (Vitamin I) everyday. Needless to say I had stomach problems and other problems from taking that much ibuprofen.

I have not had any Ibuprofen or anything else in 49 days.

Today, I don't have any joint pain.

I had major stomach problems and problems in my esophagus.

The stomach problems have cleared up and the esophagus has greatly improved.

I would consider my time a success and worth my effort a hundred times over. I know it is not possible for everyone to go through a program but, there are things each of us can do in our lives to make the quality of our life better. I would encourage you to think about your diet, try to exercise regularly and sweat; get in some sauna time if possible. Doing these things will give your body a chance to get rid of some of the bad stuff we absorb in what we eat, breath and are generally exposed to everyday.

Thanks for reading and thanks for the comments and encouragement.

I hope to see you soon, sweating like a school bus driver hearing a crunch and seeing the principal's car in the side view mirror.

Day 38

January 6^th, 2010-Today started with me in still in search of the EP. I checked in with Morgan and downed my 5000 mg of Niacin and took off on my ride to nowhere. Not much of a Niacin reaction on the ride. I head to the box and slip into my routine. A few 30-minute cycles and I think over how I feel now, how I felt before and how the last two days have been. I guess that quiet consideration is what I needed.

I'm done, right now, right here, I knew I had achieved the "End Phenomenon".

It didn't come with trumpets or fanfare it was just a feeling, a knowing feeling.

I was done; I had achieved the goal; a better quality of life and a "do over" when it comes to chemical that had found their way into my body over the years.

I walked out of the box and let Ted and Morgan know; I'm program complete.

I shower off, change and sit down for the program debrief. Just as no one gets into the program without going through the "man known as Ted" so it is as you leave. You're not done until Ted says you’re done and that doesn't happen without paperwork, lots of paperwork. We plow through the exit testing and questionnaires and my analysis of the program. I turn in the last comment sheet and I look up to see Ted's big smile and his outstretched hand. I shake it as Ted tells me congratulations and then hands me the black sharpie pen and tells me I have earned a place on the Graduates Wall. I climb on a chair and scrawl my info on the wall.

Stu Smith, graduate #67, Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office/Utah

Department of Public Safety/Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office, program dates 11/30/09 to 1/6/10.

I will see the doctor in the morning but today was my last day of sweating like a repo man hooking a pick-up truck covered with NRA stickers.

Day 37

January 5^th, 2010-I am in the home stretch, Day 37 and 5000 mg of Niacin.

The gang was all here today and the question on everyone’s mind, "is Stu going to finish today".

I completed the bike ride and the day in the box but it just felt like I needed one more day. I feel good, really good but I'll be back for one more day of sweating like the baby sitter watching her boyfriend sprinting towards the backdoor as the key is turning in the front door.

Day 36

January 4^th, 2010-The view from the top of the Mountain is what I had hoped it would be. From here I can see that I feel better, I have no headaches, no more need for huge doses (1200 mg) of Ibuprofen everyday, and best of all I am getting six to seven hours of sleep to help my body rest and recovery each day.

5000 Mg of Niacin went down like a shot glass of chalk. Ted gave me a fruit drink chaser to make sure I got the Niacin down and even the tough former bomb tech winced a little while I downed this circulation system grenade. I waited for the explosion, imagining myself as Wiley Coyote with the Road Runner tearing off in a cloud of dust while the fuse burns toward the bomb. In the tradition of such highly anticipated non-events as Y2K and New Coke I sat there clicking off the miles on the bike and waited for the boom.

Nothing, I had a blush lighter than a longshoreman worrying about a rip in his overalls.

I have truly arrived at the Niacin side of the journey, 5000 Mg and not much to report. My full attention and focus is now on the "End Phenomenon".

I feel better, a lot better. I will finish out today and have a good look at everything again in the morning.

For now I a going to sit here sweating like an abandoned New Delhi cow, being "rescued" by a West Texas BBQ Club.

Day 35

January 3^rd, 2010- It doesn't seem possible I have been here 35 days. Time has flown by.

I had planned to take this time off work and not worry about things at the office. I was reminded more than a few times that no work was a good idea during the program. It was foolish of me to think that with the temptation of my CrackBerry at arms length I was going to be able to resist matters of work.

I am pretty sure I need a twelve-step program to deal with my CrackBerry addiction.

This is my second day at 4500 mg of Niacin just an evening and a wake up from now, I will be standing on the top of the Niacin mountain, hoping for a view of the "End Phenomenon".

Until then I will be sitting here in the box sweating like the only sober guy in the pick-up truck when the driver says, "here, hold my beer and watch this".

Day 34

January 2^nd, 2010- Thirty-four days in the box and the end is in sight.

I took 4500 mg of Niacin today. I thought that would have been enough Niacin to light up an elephant, but for my trained system it merely provided a mild flush on my forehead, cheeks and ears. I did get a little tingling on my forearms but that was about it.

The heat of the box beat on me most of the day but the hours rolled by punctuated with cool down periods that seemed too short.

At 10:30 Morgan stepped into the box with a blended Protein shake that provided a welcome cool quick respite. The rest of the day pass with me sitting in the box sweating like a groom watching his best man stand up, steady himself and then start the wedding toast with "let me tell you about the bachelor party..."

Day 33

January 1^st, 2010-Clear air and Bright blue skies are the city's reward for enduring the last few snowstorms.

My seven-mile bike ride seems a little more cheery as I gaze out the window at the snow covered pine trees in the park next door. A young woman bundled up in layers of winter clothing is walking her dog. She picks up a stick and tosses it for the Airedale to chase. He romps through a foot of new snow, kicking of clumps of the white stuff as he runs. I close my eyes and glide along on my imaginary path for thirty minutes and then step off the bike back into the world of the box. For the next four and a half hours I will spend 30 minutes in the box (sauna) and then rest, cool off and drink water for about 5-10 minutes, then back in the box and repeat the process.

Simple recipe-

Place Stu on the top rack, cook for 4.5 hours @ 175 degrees and remove when Niacin redness fades.

Allow to cool.

Watch for manifestations of past chemical abuses/exposures and report to Ted or Morgan if said manifestation occurs.

Easy enough.

By day 33 I have it down pretty well. It is my second day at 4000 mg of Niacin (Vitamin B3)

The daily recommended dose is 20 milligrams so as you might imagine your body wakes up and says Hey! when you slam down 4000 mg at one time. I must stress DO NOT DO THIS AT HOME, this is not an episode of Myth Buster but the people that run this program are professionals, they are carefully monitoring everything and know all the warning signs of someone overdoing it and or not following the program. The idea is purification of your systems, not a trip to the ER. A big shot of Niacin (at the levels I am taking) will feel like the worst sunburn you ever had in your life and like you are having a mild to medium heart attack. You have to work up to this level, know what you are doing and always do something like this in a supervised program with medical monitoring.

Don't Do It at home- ever!

If you are interested in the program do it right. Find one in your area, go through the steps, feel better and have a better quality of life. The UNOA website has link to the Meth Cops Project or just hit the Internet for chemical purification programs and Niacin. That should get you to the right places.

Happy New Year to all of you. While you are watching Bowl Games I will be in the box sweating like a high kicking USC Cheerleader after missing her bikini wax appointment right before game day.

Day 32

December 31^st, 2009- The last day of the year and lots of people are taking the day off. Traffic is light and the snow removal crews have been working through the night to keep the roads clear. The weather has taken a break making the commute easy. 4000 mg of Niacin today. I expected the big hit, but not much of anything. I got a little flush to the face and ears but that was about it. Nothing anywhere else. No heat or prickly feeling.

I easily covered seven miles on my 30 minute warm up bike ride. Morgan had the box warmed up for me so I could slide myself right in on the top oven rack for my first 30 minute bake.

We have had a little fun the last two days. I told Ted (my watchdog since I am in here alone) about a book I read. There is plenty of time to read so I have cranked off a book or two while I have been in here by myself. Anyway, I turned storyteller and told the story and adventure of the book to Ted for the past day and a half. It was fun and Ted seemed to like it enough to even sit in the box with me to hear the story while we sweated like a chess club nerd facing tribal council and survival on a TV reality show.

Day 31

December 30^th, 2009-Old man winter has us in his grips. Utah's Wasatch front has snow falling from Salt Lake City to Orem to add excitement and an extra 35 minutes to my commute.
I pull into the Meth Cops Office in Orem and see an empty parking lot. Once again I have failed to calculate my snow day travel time from SLC to Orem with any real accuracy and I have arrived too early.
When the gang starts arriving it appears to be an all hands on deck day.
Dr. Ross arrives and the recent program graduates file in to see him for exit interviews after they finish up their exit testing. New candidates arrive and wait their turn with the doctor and a spot on the 2010 calendar to enter the program.
For me the end is coming into sight and it seems a lifetime ago I was the new guy, the rookie standing in line waiting my turn to see Dr. Ross and start the program.
Today is day 31 for me and day two at 3500 mg of Niacin. Another step along the road to program completion.
My companions in the box are a few visitors and Ted or Morgan when they need a little entertainment.
For now, I will just sit here sweating like a rookie narcotic detective who has fronted the buy money, is watching it drive away in the hands of the bad guys; and then can't remember the bust signal.

Day 30

December 29^th, 2009- Day 30 of the program.
At this point in the program I am still progressing toward the maximum doses of Niacin but more importantly there is a careful effort my part to feel, learn and experience the "End Phenomenon" (EP).
I have moved to 3500 mg of Niacin and now have my attention fully fixed on the EP.
The last day or so has been a ground hog day progression of small successes with almost imperceptible forward movement.

I will continue to work the program as I sit in the box sweating like a guy that called his girlfriend to tell her he would be late and his wife answered the phone.

Day 29

December 28^th, 2009-Today officially started week five of the program for me. I feel good. The improvements now are coming more slowly. My sleep is better and I feel more relaxed. No having to take ibuprofen is very nice and no pain is even better.

I spent the day in the box by myself and I think everyone took pity on me. I had a few of our program managers set into the box and chat me up. Even "Sir Lucas" stopped by to keep me company on the breaks.
I pretty much spread out hogged the space in the box. After all I had it to myself.
I read a book and sweated like a driving instructor at the School for the Blind.

Day 28

December 27^th, 2009-Sunday in the box is a bit of a special day. Everyday in the program is the same so having a special day helps mark the end of one week and the start of the next week. Even the smallest things can make a difference.
Now, who doesn't like to feel special?
3000 Mg of Niacin today. The seven-mile bike ride to nowhere has me feeling pretty good.
My Niacin reaction is light today but it does have my circulatory system opened up and flushing everything out the blood stream.
The Box sessions cranks open my pours and that process starts cycling a lot of the water out of me. I keep chugging water at an incredible rate just to stay hydrated.
I said goodbye to the last of my sweat hog compadres today, when he graduated the program.
I finished the day, in the box, sweating like a guy caught by his girlfriend while kissing her sister.

Day 27

December 26^th, 2009-On Christmas Day we get visited, gifted, unwrapped, traveled, stuffed, sugared, napped and end up exhausted and for the most part love ever minute of it.
The day after we are re-sugared, trashed, reheated, returned, relieved re-inspired, and reminded the big day is over and it is back to our normal routine; and so it is with the sweat hogs.
We didn't have a day off for Christmas, but we did treat ourselves to an altered schedule by starting a little early so we could head home a little earlier.
My sweat hog partner is taking the 5000 Mg of Niacin maximum dose. Program completion is in his sights.
Our day in the box was uneventful until the last 30-minute session. 18 minutes into our last 30- minute session in the box we both noticed we had not begun sweat. We each found that a little odd. I hesitate to say we have become used to the heat but neither one of us were sweating. Perhaps it was our calm repose or maybe we were just thinking cool thoughts, either way, we did not have the hallmark river of sweat making puddles around our feet. We got up, grabbed the hose and put a little into the corners of the 175-degree tile walls. In five minutes the sweat was pouring off us and we were guzzling water to stay hydrated and sweating like a first grader, after lunch with his hand up, giving the teacher the bathroom signal.

Day 26

December 25^th, 2009-Today is Christmas Day.
For us two remaining sweat hogs it is just another day in the box. We start early on our warm up exercise in the hope of rolling out of here little early and making it home for Christmas with our families.
2500 mg. of Niacin today.
Seven miles on the bike in the prescribed thirty minutes and pop Stu into the box, place on top rack, bake for 4.5 hours at 175 degrees, remove and let cool.
I feel like a casserole.
My daughter-in-law reminds me that I have reached "therapeutic Niacin levels".
Now, I am not saying I am impatient and I feel good, in-fact better than I have felt in years, but BRING ON THE THERAPUTIC LEVELS! I'm ready!
Merry Christmas everyone
We sweat hogs are just doing what we do-
Sweating like a
Guy on a prom date, looking at a restaurant bill he is $10 short of covering.

Day 25

December 24^th, 2009-The largest organ in the human body is the skin.
Our skin is pretty interesting stuff.
I am sitting here in the box and literally watching beads of sweat form. Each bead is squeezing its way out of my body right through my skin. The process is slow at first then after my first 30-minute session on the top rack, I really begin to sweat hard. The beads push through my skin, run together and then race down my head, arms and legs forming a steady drip from my nose, fingers and toes.
The 2000 mgs of Niacin today hardly gave me a blip. I had a little redness on my cheeks but no heat, prickly feeling or redness.
My body is not impressed with this level Niacin, but I am still a long ways off from the 5000 Mg. maximum dose.
Today is Christmas Eve and our thoughts are on things outside the box. Time drags as my fellow sweat hog partner and I watch the minutes tick by.

Nothing to do but sweat like a ballerina looking at her costume after a holiday weekend of Mom's cooking.

Day 24

December 23^rd, 2009-Today I have reached that place in the program where you know you are past half way, but not really on the home stretch. I am knocking it out, one day at a time and working the program to get the maximum benefit for my efforts.
It seemed long today. My second day at 1500 Mg of Niacin. Not much of a change from yesterday. Less reaction and nothing new going on with my body.

The good news, I’ll be going to 2000 Mg of Niacin on Thursday. Another step closer to the minimum program dose of 2500 mg of Niacin. At the higher doses the circulation system really snaps open to flush any of the Methyl Ethyl bad stuff that I may have sucked into my body from all the special places and unique people I have come in contact with.
The 5000 mg level of Niacin is not always needed for best program results, but it is the maximum dose this program uses.
Given the heat I’ve had coming off me at some of the lower Niacin levels I can only imagine what a full flush at 5000 mgs might be like.

That thought doesn't make us sweat hogs feel any cooler as we sit in the box sweating like-
A Kamikaze Pilot on his second mission.

Day 23

December 22^nd, 2009- Yesterday was the shortest day of the year. We added a few more minutes of daylight today but it still looks a like a long way to summer.
There was a prediction of heavy snow during the commute today, that did not materialize, thank goodness, but it did mess up our travel time calculations from Salt Lake to Orem.
Doctor Ross was in today and my remaining partner sweat hog is doing fine and will be with me a while longer. That's great news as conversation is the number one way to pass time in the box.
After downing 1500 mg of Niacin and finishing my seven-mile bike ride it was into the box to sweat.
The white stuff falling from the sky had its' way with the power grid and it was not long before the power was out and we were sitting in the dark.
My niacin reaction was mild, a nice flush and some heat on my ears and face was about it today.
I am doing well, the sessions in the box are easier and I'm in a comfortable groove with the bike workout.
I am dumping 74 oz’s. of water through my system while I am here and I get my two cups of veggies everyday.
The vitamins, minerals and supplements have turned into a handful now that I am on 1500 Mg of Niacin a day.
The oil you take everyday is a four-oil combo of peanut, walnut, soy and safflower oil with a dash of lecithin.
We end the day with a nice glass of calcium and magnesium.
If all those pills don't fill you up, no worries it has to be taken with food.

For now, I am sitting here in the dark with another man, e sweating like a hostage holding terrorists asking a SEAL Team for a tow to shore.

Day 22

December 21st, 2009-This is my second day at 1000 mg of Niacin.
My body is clearly getting used to the Niacin, I had very little reaction today.
Looks like tomorrow will be 1500 mg.
Two people in the box makes the place look and feel much larger.
I like my perch on the top rack of the oven (the box). The air up there is a tad warmer.
I breath in through my nose and when my nose and nasal passages are as dry as a summer day in the Sahara, I switch over to breathing through my mouth. It isn't too before my tongue feels like a dried up husk.
People have asked me how I can drink 70+ ounces of water in less than 4.5 hours.
It’s hot, really hot!
I could easily drink enough water to feel the lunar pull and tidal effect from the shear volume of water that I drank just to rehydrate my husk of a tongue.
My last remaining Sweat Hog compadre will be seeing Doctor Ross in the morning. My days of having a partner may be numbered.
Today however we are just sweating like-
A sixteen year old on the couch making out, when his date's Father walks in.

Day 21

December 20th, 2009-It’s a foggy day in Salt Lake City. The fog makes me think of the San Francisco Bay area where I grew up.
Driving south to Happy Valley (Utah County) I burst into bright sunshine and clear blue skies.
Is it a sign? I don't know, you decide.
I meet Morgan at the Utah Meth Cops Project door and our day begins.
I discussed with Morgan what I had been thinking and my study of the program book.
My search continues for an understanding and personnel definition of manifestations as they may relate to me going through this program. I know that sounds, tastes, smells, memories or even physical reactions may occur, but so far they have eluded me.
I moved up to 1000 mg. of Niacin today.
I was curious how this dose would feel as I downed the apple juice Niacin cocktail.
Seven miles on the bike and into the box.
I start to have a reaction to the Niacin. It's a light reaction today. Some redness on the tops of my feet and my arms. A little heat, much like a very, very light sunburn.
No much of a flush, which is a little surprising, I expected much more.
Today was program completion day for yet another member of our merry band. We congratulate him, knowing we are have just become a group of two.
The day ends with a few more hours in the box sweating like a program director at the White House seating two unknown guests.

Day 20

December19^th, 2009-Three sweat hogs in the box.
No new guys in sight, so I am still the rookie.
Another day at 900 mg of Niacin. I got a tiny reaction that came on after my 30-minute exercise and went away completely, 20 minutes later.
With our group now at three and one more ready to go the conversation quickly turns to program completion.
I find it interesting that each of us is so different in what we feel and experience and yet there are very common reactions between us. The book Clear Body, Clear Mind outlines a set of conditions that when applied individually, guide each person on the personal evaluation of when they are done and have completed the program.
I have read and reread that part of the book on program completion and it is clear I have a ways to go. I have been here while two people have completed the program. I am now more curious than ever to know the personal secret they discovered. It’s more than just the Niacin reaction, it is the memories and the physical reactions that go with the release of toxins from the cells in the body that is so different for each person. These “manifestations” coming and going (turning on and turning off) are a part of knowing when you have completed the program.
I am watching like a hawk for anything that would indicate I am “manifesting” something from a time, a place or an experience connected to toxicity in my life.
Good grief, there has to be something, at the very least I have three ex-wives.
That ought to indicate some form of toxicity on my part.
As I ponder that thought I will sit here in the box and sweating like an -
Airline pilot waking up in the cockpit and hearing the voice of a fighter pilot off his wing tip say "Is everything OK in there?

Day 19

December 18th, 2009- Day 19 and my second day at 900 mg of Niacin.
I'm on the road to 5000 mg, but it seems like a long way off.
After you reach 1000 mg of Niacin, the increments will go up at 500 mg steps instead of 100 mg steps.
I'm ready and if anything, a bit impatient.
The days where there is a reaction mean no advance in the Niacin dose. The days without mean you will go up a dose the next day if everything else is going well.
I must day those days without advance in dose feel like no tangible progress
Of course that's not really true because everyday in the program there's improvement in your overall health and how you feel.
I do feel so much better now it's hard to describe. My knees have little to no ache in them. My headaches are gone. I sleep seven hours a day (up from the four/five hours I used to get).
Today was a big day for our merry band of sweat hogs, as another one of our group graduated out and finishing the program.
We all wish her well and think of the day we will be walking out the door, having completed our program goals.
And so now there are three. The Three Musketeers.
Although, after all day in the box we look, feel and smell more like The Three Muscatels after a bad night on the town.
For now, we are just sitting in the box sweating like-

An overweight prom queen headed to her high school class reunion.

Day 18

December 17^th, 2009- Today, 900 mg of Niacin with an apple juice chaser.
The thirty-minute bike ride is a breeze but at my pace I am pretty sure my view of any peloton would be the backside of a lot of cycling shorts.
Into the Box and start the sweat.
The program we are following is right out of the book Clear Body, Clear Mind. Ted and Morgan have been great as program monitors keeping us on track and monitoring everything we are doing and the reaction we are getting. Everything is documented and all progress is tracked.
My blood pressure and pulse are improving.
My Niacin reaction was less intense today so I am on track for an increase after we confirm a lower reaction again tomorrow.
If you have never taken Niacin at larger doses it would be a good idea to read up or consult an expert before you imbibe. Stepping up your dose slowly allows your body to adjust and gives you a chance to track your reaction. Some reactions are fairly pronounced.
My reaction today is mild and peaks ten minutes after it started and is gone thirty minutes later.
Two more of our band of Sweat Hogs are beginning to count down their probable last days as our partners in the box. I am happy for them but I will hate to see them go.
Today we are just here sweating like a bow-tied lawyer asking for change at midnight in the hood.

Day 17

December 16^th, 2009-Today was one of those unremarkable days. A lot of things going on, but nothing to get too excited about.
The Niacin reaction I had the other day dictated the same level of Niacin again today.
That's cool, my body is adjusting pretty quickly to the Niacin.
I snap out my seven-mile bike ride with a warm up and cool down in 30 mins. time.
No physical reaction at all today from the Niacin.
It is my second day at 800 mg of Niacin. That pretty much tells me I will be at 900 mgs on Thursday as long as I have a smooth night.
In the box and my Blackberry is doing the jitterbug dance across the bench.
Stuff is happening at work and today there will be no escaping it.
A few emails and phone calls and things are under control but it is interesting how quickly the climate of the box changes as people get into their own worlds.
My bad today for making that happen.
We all retreated a step or two into our electronic gadget world and the ear phones went in and the conversation slowed or stopped.
A bit of an essay on modern life.
We are all looking at each other but we are a world away from each other in our electronic cocoons
One thing does not change, if you are in the box you sweat and sweat we did.

I was sweating like a dog leaving the stud farm for the spay clinic.

Day 16

December 15^th 2009-Another day at 800 mg of Niacin.
I am not on the bike more than six minutes when it starts. First it’s a hot feeling on the back of my neck, then my ears then my whole head. The flush covers my head and it is not long before it’s on my arms, chest and upper legs.
It last a good 40 mins. this time and it feels like a light sunburn.
I feel like I have finally arrived.
The day rolls along and our merry band of sweat hogs talk, laugh and discuss issues of the problems of the world.
I never imagined this part of the program. Three or four other people and the only agenda is to work out together and sit and sweat together five hours a day, everyday, for weeks.
No judgments, no criticism, no expectations, just four cops sweating like a bomb tech dispatched to a clock shop.

Day 15

December 14^th 2009-I have a new partner. I roll out a little earlier so we can start our sessions together.
We keep an eye on each other, make sure we are drinking enough water and taking potassium to keep heat exhaustion at bay.

Today is my day. Ted clears me for an 800 mg dose of Niacin. Yahoo!
I take it and hit the bike.
25 mins. into my ride I start feeling a little heat, then a little more, pretty soon my ears are hot, my head is hot and I am flush on my head, neck, ears and arms.
Finally, a good Niacin reaction.
You really need to get to 2500 mg of Niacin to have received the benefits of the program and if you really want the put the throttle down you can go as high as 5000 mg but to reach that summit you have to get past Ted and the Doc and be right on the program targets.
The good news for me is I am on my way.
I finish seven miles on the bike ride and get ready for the box.
The flush is really going.
I even get a comment from Ted that I have a good flush on my head and ears. My chest looks like I am wearing a red bib.
As soon as I fully appreciate the colorful look it begins to fade. My first 30 min. session in the box is over and my flush is fading fast.

Our sweat hog mates finish their warm up workout and we are all in the box.
Our merry band of four; sweating, looking at each other, sweating and then the challenge is issued. Water pong!

I'm a rookie so I get a briefing on the rules. The cups are filled and lined up in the starting pyramid formation.
The first toss sets the tone, no prisoners.
The duo of State Troopers have been practicing. They trash talk us and then back it up by putting us away in straight games.

The day passes quickly.
We are sweating like hemophiliacs getting high on Wafarin.

Day 14

December 13^th 2009-A snowy day and slightly tense drive to Orem, through the door and Morgan is there to greet me. I fill out my paperwork, blood pressure and heart rate are good. I get the news, I am good to go to have my Niacin dose raised to 700 mg. I down the Niacin cocktail Morgan has prepared for me. Seven miles on the bike and into the box with my partner.
Thirty minutes later and NOTHING. Giant bummer. I had so been looking forward to a reaction but not today.
I settled into the top rack in the box for the day and start sweating like a cheating executive who spots his wife at his office Christmas party.

Ted arrives and pokes his head in and says hi.
I can hear the blender going and in no time I am holding a cold protein drink.
Nice!

The bell goes off and we are out for a cool down, and then back in the box.
Before we know it we're done for the day and checking out.
Ted cheers me up telling me my reaction may be subtle and I may have to look closer for manifestations.
I'm not sure, but Ted is very sure. Ted is positive and encouraging about my progress.
I feel better. My over all health is better everyday. I have more energy and I am feeling great.
On to day 15.

Day 13

December 12^th 2009-One of our merry band of sweat hogs has completed the program and has departed. It’s interesting how quickly the feeling of team has developed and how quickly the feeling of the loss of our team mate set in.

Seven miles on the bike but no increase in my Niacin.

I know it’s progress, but it’s slow. I feel good, really good, so no more complaining.

You heard me talk about the aroma that we sweat hogs develop through this program.

My wife, ever the delicate flower, reminded me that my assault on her olfactory senses has a limit. She washes the sheets every day or two, and I have extra showering requirements. Last night we were getting ready for an evening Christmas party and I found myself ordered to the shower for the third time today.

The stuff finding it’s way our of my pores is nothing if not aromatic.

Today the heat in the box has me sweating more than the last cat in a Korean deli.

Day 12

December 11^th, 2009-A short nap and a good night’s sleep put me back in the big leagues and out of the penalty box.
I moved up to 600 mg of Niacin today. I down that with an Apple juice chaser and it is on the bike. 6.5 miles today for nice and easy ride.
No flush from the Niacin, Bummer.

The heat on the top rack of the box has me sweating harder than Dick Cheney's hunting partners and my systems are flushing faster than a dope dealer with the cops at the door. If there is any methyl ethyl bad stuff left in my system, I should be getting rid of it with a few more weeks of this treatment.

Today we are saying goodbye to one of the sweathogs. He has been here 32 days and he has sweated enough. He graduates as soon as he finishes paperwork and his exit testing, but today is his last day in the box.

It is day 12 for me and at least 28 to go.

The sessions in the box click by and before we know it the day is over.
I check out and my blood pressure is up so a few more potassium tablets and a cool shower and the BP is right down to where it should be.

I'm on track, 700 mg of Niacin tomorrow.

Day 13 coming up.

Day 11

December 10^th, 2009-Today was cold. Single digit cold, sting your face cold.
The sauna was going to feel good after being outside.
I check in with Morgan and fill out my paperwork. My blood pressure is down again and so is my heart rate.
We run through the questions that deal with my progress and I have green lights, I feel better, have less aches and pains. The headaches seem to be a thing of the past. Morgan gets to the question of how much sleep I got last night and then it is stop, hold the horses, do not pass go. I only got five and a half hours sleep and I quickly find out that this changes everything..
Morgan calls Ted (this can't be good) and Ted (the big Kahuna) gives the word.
Penalty box for Stu.
Too little sleep and you are no longer working the program within recommended parameters and you are not helping yourself. The body has to rest everyday in this program.
I take the 500 dose of Niacin (same as the past few days) and click off seven miles on the bike
Morgan reminds me I am back on the short program today.
I have been sent back down to the minor leagues to rest up, nice going "Rookie".
I finish my short session and Ted puts me through the check out process. Ted consoles the rookie by going through the reasoning of a good nights sleep and I agree. The short program today was the right decision.
I just can't shake the feeling that I am being sent home with a note from the teacher and it will not go well for me when that note gets opened.
No more drama, I'm going to make sure I get more sleep.

Day 10

December 9^th, 2009-I am out of the house early and on the road, light traffic and no snow on the road today. It’s a quick trip to Orem and before I know it I am standing in front of Morgan for my morning check-in and Blood Pressure. My BP is at a new low and my heart rate is down nicely from yesterday. I take my Niacin and hit the bike for my 6-7 mile ride to nowhere. I'm feeling pretty good today which is saying something. A few weeks ago I was eating 1200 mg of Ibuprofen a day to just function after a day at work and my late afternoon Tuesday basketball game.
I have not been able to play hoops without taking ibuprofen for over 25 years. Today I am Ibuprofen free!
I get to minutes 20 and nothing, NO FLUSH reaction, what the heck is up?
No heat, no burning, tingling, no nothing.
I'm bummed out, boo.
Off the bike after 30 minutes. Still no reaction.
In the box, through the sessions and no flush today.
I feel good. Relaxed, calm and clear headed.
I drink my oil, and check out with Ted. My BP and Pulse are both down since this morning- NICE.
I've had a good day and now headed north thinking about the conversations of the day, things to do at work and listening to NPR.
Off to my left I catch a glimpse of a light aircraft, a red and white single engine plane in some serious trouble. The pilot has the nose up in a stall and appears to be trying to find a place to land. He banks a little to miss the shopping center near the Lehi exit and hits the ground really hard in a crah landing.
I hope everyone on board is ok.
The cars on the freeway start to stop and a flood of cell phone calls go into 911.
I am reminded life is short, unpredictable and we should live each day and savor every moment.

Day 9

December 8^th, 2009-Another snowy commute.
Check in, paperwork and the Blood pressure is down...nice!
Niacin dose is at 500 again today (same as yesterday). I had no reaction at all yesterday and I am looking for that flush that let's me know the reaction is turning on.
I'm on the bike and peddling strong, twenty minutes into my ride I start to feel a little warm. Then a moment later I see redness start to appear on my arms. My ears are burning and the back of my neck is on fire. The sensation starts to calm down and my upper arms start to tingle. Man-o-man this is it, I have the flush reaction we are going now.
Into the box and I still have some flush going. I climb to the top bench and in a few minutes the sweat is pouring off me. The flush is fading fast and then it is gone. It will be interesting to see what happens tomorrow. I click off the sessions and finish the day at an even lower blood pressure.
Wow, great day
I feel good and I am relaxed and no pain or headaches.

Day 8

December 7^th, 2009-Winter is here and Christmas is coming but in Monday morning commute traffic it is lights and sirens on police cars and fire trucks not sleigh bells and lights on the tree.
4500 South I- 15 roll over accident with a VW parked under a pick-up truck, traffic stopped, 20 min delay.
10600 South I-15 UHP Trooper with lights on in the emergency lane doing a report, everyone slows to look at him and his lights, major brake tapping and delays (pull off the highway and turn off your overheads, it's rush hour and you're making it worse) bad cop, no doughnut!
12000 South I-15 small non-reportable accident, traffic slows as we all tap dance a little longer on our brakes, add another five minutes.
Point of the Mountain, a SUV slide off, more brake taping and five more minutes of delay.
Lehi exit south I-15 truck off the road, emergency vehicles on the frontage road with their lights on has everyone slowing to see the action, add another 5 minutes.
Snow in general, add another 10 minutes on top of everything else.
Double your fun, your experience and your drive time.
I step in the door to face Ted and the blood pressure cuff.
Inexplicably my blood pressure is elevated after that relaxing drive.
God bless Ted and Morgan, they drive to Orem everyday to run this program.
30 minutes on the bike at a little more reasonable pace leaves my knees in better shape then they were yesterday.
I grab my frozen jug of water, top it off and step into the box.
The blast of 160 degree air hits me in the face. I step to the top tier for the full monte effect of the heat and then settle in for my first 30 min session.
Five minutes to go and the sweat is pouring off me. I drank 70 ounces of water today to just maintain weight and hydration.
I feel relaxed and calm. My head and thoughts are clear. My eyes are a little dry but I feel good. Much less aches and pains today.
My sweat hog mates are getting short. Two of our mates are getting close to program completion so now everyday is an opportunity ask questions and find out how it feels as you get close to being finished. I think I can summarize the responses for you, "It feels GOOD".
I look forward to just feeling better

End of the First Week

December 6, 2009- It's snowing this morning. Her Majesty "Jazz", my seven- pound dog is in my face and ready to take me for a walk.
We make the loop and are a block away from home and now she is giving me the look, "my paws are cold, carry me".
I refuse, so she gives me her best pitiful look, raises her ears for emphasis and then in an “over the top move” to guilt me into carrying her she lifts up one front paw and whimpers.
I cave and pick her up for the last block home. The second I put her down on the porch she jumps around and begs for a treat.
So the lesson is you can teach an old dog, like me, a new trick and guilt works if you act pathetic and look cute.
There is snow on the road this AM
Traffic is light so the trip is not bad.
Seven miles on the bike and then in the box.
The air is hot, dry and a little hard to breath. A towel on the bench helps to make it more comfortable. The sessions in the box are 30 minutes now and I find myself clock watching the last few minutes of each rotation in the box. Man, that is slow last five minute if you watch the clock. On the breaks we look outside at winter settling around us and I am reminded that if I follow the program I will have an opportunity to be rejuvenated when my Winter passes to Spring.
I feel better today, improvement is in small incremental steps, but it is happening. To date it is better sleep, less headaches and just a more relaxed feeling.
The egg timer is going off and another day in the
Box is over.
This weekend I have found myself more and more focused on the program, thinking about the next day, working on maximizing my behaviors to get the most out of everything I do.
I am on a reasonable schedule for the first time in many years and my diet is better.
Even if what I have achieved to this point is all there is, I would still consider it time very well spent. I am looking forward to Monday.
My first week is over and I am glad I am here.

Day six

December 5th, 2009- An easy drive today, Saturday traffic is easy.

30 min. on the bike, an easy seven miles to warm up.

The sweat hogs head to the box and we are doing 30 min. sessions.

It isn't long before I look like I jumped into a swimming pool.

I have been sweating as if I have a waterline break.

I am still working up to the higher treatment doses.

I am feeling better and more used to the daily process of the program.

The sweat hogs pass the time in a variety of ways.

We listen to music, books on tape and have discussions on every subject you can imagine. All of it is appreciated and the time in the box passes. Thirty minutes in the box, ten minutes out, thirty minutes in and the cycle repeats for five hours.

The heat in the box is incredible. I lie back on the wooden bench seat and let my mind wander for a few moments. I cover my eyes with a cool washcloth and feel the heat permeate every part of me. I focus on the heat and my thoughts go to a place and a time I felt that hot.

August, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; I'm on the beach and it's well over 100 degrees. The sand on the beach is even hotter. It's a clear day, the coarse sand crunched with each step under my feet. Tan beautiful girls sit unfair big Corona umbrellas and rub the SPF45 on long smooth legs…the ding of the egg timer goes off and I am jolted back to the reality of the box.

Done and another day has passed smoothly.

Sir Lucas makes an appearance

December 4th, 2009-Day five is in the bag and the big question is; how do I feel?

Here is my report-

I was sleeping 4-5 hours a night; after five days in the program I am sleeping 61/2 hours a night. I had a dull low-grade headache most of the time; now five days in the program, no headaches.

Gastro issues are settled down and things are looking up in joint pain.

NICE!

Say what you want, I already feel better.

Attitude, effort and behavior have everything to do with feeling better. I have changed my behavior and told myself I am going to use this opportunity to be healthier and feel better.

So far, so good.

The stuff that is coming out of me is not something I notice so much, (except for the Chernobyl neon pee) me wife, however, says I smell like a chemical stockpile.

Bring it on, in with the vitamins, minerals and sweat the rest of it out.

We had a visit from our sweat hog mascot today, Sir Lucas, the Maltese K-9.

Sir Lucas meets you at the door and demands a little scratching behind the ears before you pass.

Sir Lucas is a favorite here, he doesn't to seem to mind the way we smell.

He could be the perfect guy pet.

He doesn't shed (Maltese dogs have hair not fur), he doesn't care how I smell and he likes to scratch.

It's Sondra's dog but I have one of these little charmers at home and I am telling you they ARE the perfect guy pet. I am thinking about hiring that English dog training gal and having her teach my dog to fetch a beer. I'll let you know how that goes.

I am out of here and wondering how my first weekend of being a sweat hog will be.

Stay tuned to see how Mr. Kotter's class does over the weekend.

The Rookie

December 3, 2009-I've finished up the workout and I'm headed to the box. The sweat hogs reminded me that I am the rookie. It’s been a long time since anyone referred to me as "the rookie" I smile, very funny.
I'm on the top rack of the box, maybe as high 170 degrees up here. OMG hot!
I am starting to get the tricks down-
32 oz. water bottle half full, then frozen the night before, then fill with cool water, shazam! you have cool water in the OMG hot box.
Solution to the lid and the container being too hot to drink out of-lay the container on its side.
Entertainment is easy -IPod.
170 degrees is bad for IPods- solution set IPod on frozen drink container.
Well the sweat hogs are giving me that knowing smile; "the you poor rookie" smile.
I have been getting up walking the dog, driving to Orem 45 minutes, working out and hitting the rotation in the box (four hours in 1/2 hour intervals), then driving back to SLC going to work and doing 3-5 at work., go home and get, something to eat, hoops or Racquetball in the evening two nights a week, home again shower, walk the dog again, back on the computer for some more work and then to bed; wake up and do it again.
The veteran sweat hogs may have a pool going on how long I will last until I melt down or stroke out.
I figure out most sweat hogs do the program and go home, with not too much other activity.
They are doing six-hour rotations to my four. I guess I will find out as I ramp up to the six-hour sessions.
Yahoo, it going to get interesting; real quick.

The Sweat Hogs

December 2, 2009- Getting out of bed this morning started out with a groan.
That's not all that unusual and I can hear my Mom's voice saying if you rock climb, race motorcycles, and a number of other Mom "no no's" you will be feeling it in every joint when you are older.
That seems pretty clear now, ok Mom you were right and no there is no chance of a do over.
I have a little dog (7 lb. Maltese) she takes me for a walk every morning and every evening; she never forgets and she is no respecter of bad weather. She is smug, in the spite of my groans, she runs to the door and does the happy dance; we're going, there are people to meet and places to sniff. Cowboy up old man and open the freakin' door, you're going for a walk.
Were back. She gets a bone and I get, a chance to stretch, a handful of pills and some yogurt
Morning routine over I am in Orem in the box with the sweat hogs.
We sweat
We sweat together
We sweat profusely
Life is an exercise in the relativity of events and actions
If listening to gangster rap is hard and watching football with friends is easy then what is the Meth Cops program?
It is being walked by your white, fuzzy, little seven-pound dog at 6 AM.

Green Pea

December 1^st, 2009-The morning routine-
Log in, review how I feel and how the last 24 hours have gone for me. Not much new to report. The vitamins have had an interesting side effect, I pee the most interesting shade of chartreuse.
Today is a ramp up from day as will the next few days.
Exercise to warm up and morning vitamins and minerals then into the sauna.
The duration and doses will be going up and the burn will be coming. More on that later.
My body is getting used to the heat but man does it take it out of you. I have been going to work after my sessions but I have been wrecked by the end of the day.
It feels good today and I jumped my times up to 25, 30 and even end up on a 35 minute session in the sweatbox.
I have been drinking an ocean of water and taking salt to replace what I am sweating out, but it feels like I will need even more salt. The early signs of cramps are starting to appear.
I was pretty proud of myself on the 35 minute close out session at the end of the day, then I stood up and felt a little light headed.
Buckle up buttercup; it is only the second day of the treatment.
No worries
I will be back and humble on Wednesday.
I am a vegetable-eating machine!

Broccoli and Sweat

Monday, November 30, 2009- The 42 mile drive went a little faster today, average traffic and good weather. I am a stool at the counter and looking at Ted by 8:30 and I am downing pills filing out forms by 8:35.

I complete the last forms and waivers, change into my gym clothes and I am on the work out machines, raising my heart rate and getting ready to start a few minutes later. A few of the others come in and start their cardiovascular about the same time I get going. There are two other cops already in the sweat box. The 20 minute cardio is over, I fill up my water bottle and we’re all in the sweat box. I am learning the in’s-and-outs from the other people that have been there a little longer than me and making friends with my egg timer. Everything works on a cycle, with the egg timer calling the cadence.

The dry sauna is around 160 degrees but after twenty minutes it feels more like 1160. We are assigned buddies, known as a twin, and reminded about the warning signs of dehydration and heat exhaustion.

We are going to watch our twin and our twin is watching us. The key to success is knowing your own body and knowing what to look for as the changes start to occur.

5 to 10 minutes breaks chop up the sauna sessions into palatable 25 to 35 minute intervals.

I can do this, I am feeling good. The conversation with the others is easy, we laugh and swap stories and the time passes quickly. In no time at all my treatment day is over, I am filling out my medical log with Ted and packing up the mountain of pills I need to take home for the next day or two. A quick shower and I log out and day one in the program is over.

Ted reminds me on my way out, be on time and I will be ramping up to longer sessions over the next few days.

The follow up and Dr. Ross

November 23^rd, 2009- I am headed south to Orem, to meet with Dr. Ross.

It is 42 miles from SLC to the Utah Meth Cops Project. I am deciding on how I will use that drive time each day during the program. The road construction in Utah County is brutal, the freeway is stopped right now.

Well, I’m here at the Meth Cops clinic looking at the graduates wall, calculating the average length of treatment time for those on the wall based on their start and finish dates.

The dates are entered along with graduates initials, graduate number and agency. Looks like I will be wishing Santa brings me success and a completion date before New Years.

Ted is here and is giving me the high sign that it is time to sit down with Dr. Ross. I am ready to hear “Bad Cop, no doughnut”.

The Doc is calm and relaxed. We talk and he tells me about himself and how he came to be involved in the Meth Cops Project. I am both humbled and impressed. I do my cop size up of the good doctor and deem him to be a good man and someone I can trust. The doctor and I talk about my medical history, my activity and how things have changed with my health.

We went through a series of tests and talked about my blood tests. I had some strange result in some areas on the first round of tests. The follow up tests seemed to clear up the more serious and scary issues. No tumor but some real issues with my body reacting to some things in or around me. The first goal will be to try and get rid of the bad stuff in my blood and cells.

Doctor Ross is upbeat and so am I.

I am ready to go.

My start day is Monday, Nov. 30^th. Ted gives me the talk on how things will go the first few days and a care package of pills to start me off.

There is a long list of things I have to stop doing, stop taking, and list of things I have to start doing. I tell Ted, no sweat, Ted tells me, nothing but sweat.

Next stop, day one – sweating and broccoli

Dr. Ross and my pre-program blood tests results

Wednesday November 18^th, 2009- Today I received a call from Ted that my blood test results had come back from the lab. Dr Ross had looked them over and asked that I follow up with a few more blood tests. My anxiety level is on the rise.
I inquired if that was normal and Ted tells me it occurs from time to time. I am off to LDS hospital to get the additional tests done.
I arrive at the LDS hospital lab and present the paperwork and after a short call to Dr. Ross they are filling up more vac-u-tainers. Ten minutes and I'm done.
I let Ted know the new tests are down and the results should be back to Dr Ross in the next few days.
I’m set up to see Dr. Ross for my intake screening, Monday Nov 23.
As my curiosity peaks and my anxiety climbs I call Dr. Ross to inquire about these additional tests and the good Doctor gets an opportunity to exercise his best bedside manor.
I ask questions and Dr. Ross skillfully explains the elevated protein levels in my first tests and the need to follow up and answer those questions.
It does not take long to realize that Doctor Ross had seen this before and was there to help me chart a course to feeling better and living longer.
Anxiety under control now and reality settling in. Don't worry, the follow up test results are coming and I will know more when I meet with Dr. Ross and he has a chance to look over those new tests.
It will be a long few days.
I look up on the Internet what those results can indicate. Tumors.

A really long weekend is in store.

See you Monday bright and early Doc.

Day 2 of the intake process-The man know as Ted

Friday the 13th of Nov 2009- It is my 1st day at the Meth Cops Project Facility in Orem, Utah. I have an appointment to meet Ted and complete my program intake packet. I arrive at 0900 and look around the place. Some work out equipment is in the front with a small reception counter and bar stools pulled up to the counter. Casual, converted office space, nothing flashy. I sit down in the waiting area and wait- for Ted.
As I wait my gaze settles on the east wall of the waiting area. The wall is plain, white and featureless. On this wall written in black sharpie maker is a notation of sorts for those that has gone before me and graduated the Meth Cops Program.
I make out letters, numbers and dates. The pattern is a persons agency, the dates the person went through the program, the graduate number they had and maybe a badge # and their initials.
Ted is coming but for a minute I test my memory of who these people may be on this wall of graduates.
It takes a few minutes but I can put a good guess to most of them.
These are my people, cops, Marcs, UC's, special operators, special investigations detectives; I'm home, I'm among friends and brothers.
Enter Ted-
Ted comes in, looks me straight in the eye and says hello.
We are off and running. The pack of paperwork I had filled out and brought with me is handed over and Ted grins and says we have a little more paperwork. Understatement might be Ted’s forte.
Ted grabs the first of a number of waivers, I read, sign and we are off to the next batch. After finishing up that pile it is orientation time, the Meth Cops Project Video, a quick tour and into an office for questionnaires and more medical history.
I am sitting in the office filling out paperwork and in through the door comes an old friend, fellow narc and UNOA past president Gordon Smith. We talk, laugh and Gordon tells me he is in the program and then tells me how much better he feels since starting the program. It is good to see him, eyes alive, energy in his voice and feeling well. Gordon says see you soon and I think to myself that he looks great and I want that feeling again, we all want that feeling, TED get in here and give me the next pile of paperwork.
Ted returns and as expected has more paperwork.
The paperwork at this point is clearly to establish a baseline of how I have been doing over the last few weeks and months. I detail how I feel, what bugs me, how I relate to things and how I interact with people. I finish and Ted congratulates me on finishing the 1st phase of paperwork. The look on my face must have been a clue that I could not believe there would be more paperwork. Ted is gracious, he has been here before with more than fifty people that have sat in this seat and all have had the same look on their face that I have right now.
No rest for me; let's get to it.
Out comes the TEST. One of the things that this program measures is how well (at baseline and after graduation) you are able to concentrate.
The test is a standard IQ test format. I buckle down, I have 30 minutes to crank it out.
The timer rings and in comes Ted.
Next step is to see the Doctor for the Physical and OK to start the program, but before that it is off to the hospital for and EKG and a battery of Blood Tests.
Utah Valley Regional Medical Center is down the street in Provo, so off I go.
Now, when you go to a hospital you need to be a visitor or you need to be sick. Sick is defined as a condition where something needs to be medicated, cut out or stitched up.
I have a problem because I do not fit into these predetermined categories. Let the games begin.
I call the insurance company to get pre-authorization for the tests, get transferred twice and end up with a "we might pay for these tests but you will need to submit this to Workman's Comp first." The Hospital is great, I must say I met some of the nicest employees of a health care facility that I have ever met in my life. Utah County lived up to the "Happy Valley" handle.
Tests completed and as if on cue I get a call from Ted.
Ted checks that all the tests are done and reports that my current medication schedule must be altered prior to starting the Meth Cops Program. Ted explains the "why" about medication conflicts and the need to taper off current meds and check with my doctor prior starting the program.
We set out a tentative day to visit with Dr. Ross, the Meth Cops Program MD.
Ted and I talk about the need to come everyday to the program and a need to have as much as a 50-day period of time available to complete the program. No trips and no days off.
I have that time blocked out. No Problem.
Program time per day is 8-9 AM start time to 2-3 PM End time.
That should leave me a few hours a day of office time.
I can do this.
Ted tells me the average person completes the process in about 30 days.
Mental attitude will be important. Commitment needs to be high, if is going to be work. Everything from the snowy drive to Orem from SLC to the exercise and diet, this will be a test of my resolve.
My mind is focused and I am ready. We set a target start date of Nov 30th.

Next stop Doctor Ross.

The 1st meeting- The Journey Begins

November 9^th, 2009- Today I met Sondra for lunch at a little cafe in Sugarhouse. She had brought the paperwork to fill out for entry into the Meth Cops Project. We talked and as always, her energy and enthusiasm flowed. We spoke of my life as a narcotics detective from the late 70's through the 90's. We talked about starting the Utah Narcotic Officer Association. We shared stories of our youth and what had brought us to this point in our lives.

This was not the first time I had considered entering the Meth Cops Project. As commander and Chief of detectives for the State of Utah, I had a number of agents that had worked for me enter the program with my encouragement and endorsement. I had donated money and time to the program and had listened intently as I looked into the faces of those brother officers that had gone though the program. They all told of the same things; feeling better.

I was not always in this camp and a was in fact the guy that the Utah Narcotic Officers' Association turned to and asked to check out this new program that was being offered and touted in Orem, Utah. What I found was theory of health and a process to achieve that health that had been used in other places and those that went through the program and followed the regime of the program felt better and experience and improvement in the quality of their life.

My recommendation to UNOA- report what people (people we know) say about the program and how they feel and let's see how it goes.

Now for those of you that know, you know I am a cop, suspicious of things, wary of the snake oil salesmen that seem to provide us with enough victims to guarantee policemen jobs forever. I was a little wary however open minded. Like I said I support those first few cops, friends, work mates, brothers that went through this program. Al Acosta, Kelly Call, Craig Hicken, Brandon Burgen, Gary Powell, Tim Chard, Rich Ferguson to name just a few; all said one thing "I feel better".

It has been a while since I was an undercover police officer purchasing drugs on a daily basis and subjecting myself to the people, places and things that would later diminish the quality of my life. Today however I have Sondra sitting in front of me encouraging me to grab the brass ring this time around and take the opportunity improve the quality of my life, to feel better to commit myself to the program that has helped my friends.

I said "yes" so I am off to yet another adventure in my life, an adventure to has a promise of a better life and maybe, just maybe a longer life.

I will keep you posted on what this whole process feels like and how in impacts my life as I go through it.

Next step I see the man only know to me as "Ted". If you want into the Meth Cops Program you have to get past Ted.

Stu Smith