Digging Up The Secrets Of Discovery Channel’s Gold Rush

James Harness Suffered From Addiction Following An Accident

Discovery Channel

The 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health estimated that two million Americans misused prescription pain relievers for the first time. James Harness fell prey to the same type of addiction after he started taking pain medication following a severe car accident years before he appeared on the show.

James Harness was fired following season two, allegedly because he failed to meet a 100-ounce goal set by his team. It’s believed that his addiction to pain killers led to various problems with the cast and crew on Gold Rush. After leaving the show his drug abuse worsened and he died of a stroke in 2014.