Stripper’s hangover clinic ‘concerning’
A former stripper turned volunteer paramedic, with an array of convictions, has launched an advertising campaign for a service he claims will reduce the effects of hangovers.
Shane Casbolt, 25, the sole director of Lifecare Event Ambulance Service, started a campaign for what he claimed was New Zealand’s first mobile detox service.
An advertisement on the company’s Facebook page says treatment includes an intravenous (IV) detox from ‘‘degree and NZQA-qualified staff’’ for $120 on a Saturday or Sunday morning.
‘‘Our friendly team will help you get back on your feet fast by providing IV detox treatment which rehydrate’s you faster. and reduces the effects of a hangover. (sic)’’.
Casbolt also posted on Facebook claiming the service would work with other health organisations in the community to offer a support package.
‘‘This new service will reduce the number of sick days due to alcohol poisoning and hangovers, hospitalization, and damage to the body due to intoxication effects.(sic)’’
The post said all staff held an authority to practice and were signed off by the company’s medical director who is a local Christchurch doctor.
After inquiries, Casbolt said he would no longer be running the service.
‘‘We have been in touch with our medical director and advised the situation and will not be pursuing this venture at this time.’’
St John medical director Dr Tony Smith said the proposed service was ‘‘very concerning’’.
‘‘There is no evidence to support the treatment of a hangover with intravenous fluids and there is no evidence that such treatment provides detoxification.
‘‘Use of the term detoxification in this setting is very misleading because the only useful form of detoxification comes from the body metabolising and eliminating the break down products of alcohol and there is nothing that speeds this process up.’’
Smith said administering IV fluids to a person was ‘‘unsafe’’ unless there was a specific clinical indication to do so.
‘‘A hangover is not such an indication.
‘‘The best treatment for a hangover is to prevent it by not drinking too much alcohol. If a person has a hangover the best treatment is the passage of time and drinking fluid to rehydrate the body.’’
Casbolt’s work history includes volunteer firefighter, surf lifesaver, first aider and ‘‘ghostbuster’’ in Nelson.
He also ran Dominate Christchurch Male Strippers, but closed the business after it got ‘‘too busy’’ and he did not have enough staff.
He says he has more than 10 years of emergency services experience.
It was revealed last year that Casbolt has convictions for burglary and receiving stolen property.
In 2011, he was convicted of impersonating a police officer and sentenced to community work, but the penalty was later replaced with a $1300 fine.
Casbolt’s fines summary between 2011 and 2016 shows he received at least 40 fines, totalling $9000.
The tally includes 19 fines for no warrant of fitness, 11 for operating an unlicensed vehicle, and one for driving with excess blood alcohol. Casbolt was issued a driver licence stop order in December 2014.