EP 156: The Underbelly of Healthcare with Dr. Alan Mead
Episode Summary
In this episode of Practice Growth HQ, I speak with Dr. Alan Mead about the hidden mental health challenges faced by healthcare professionals. What I call the “underbelly of healthcare”.
Alan is a Michigan-based dentist and host of The Very Dental Podcast, formerly Dental Hacks, with over 4 million downloads. He’s also a recovering addict with a 20+ year journey through alcohol and opiate addiction, and recovery.
In this raw, powerful conversation, Alan opens up about what led to his addiction, how he coped with stress, and the moment that changed everything. If you’re feeling the weight of stress in your practice or know someone who is, this is a must-listen.
What you’ll learn:
- (15:50) The slippery slope from alcohol to opiates in a dental practice
- (17:45) The turning point. A surgical sedation gone wrong and a friend’s intervention
- (20:05) What recovery really looked like and why relapse wasn’t part of Alan’s story
- (22:10) The 30-day test to check if you might have a problem
- (23:30) How to support someone you love without pushing them away
- (25:10) Why therapy isn’t just for people in crisis
- And much more!
Links and Resources:
🔗 Website: www.verydentalpodcast.com
