
Have you considered coping mechanisms and how those can profoundly impact us as dentists?
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The Alan Mead Podcast Network and Dental Podcasting
I didn't realize this at the time; it's only afterwards that I could see why dental school was like this. I didn't come in with any coping mechanisms because I hadn't faced the kind of challenges [I faced in dental school].
Dr. Alan Mead
Drinking as a Coping Mechanism in Dental School
Alcohol as a Coping Mechanism
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In this clip, Dr. Mead talks about how he started drinking late in college and especially in dental school, and he shares how alcohol became a major coping mechanism for him.
The Transition from Alcohol to Opioids as a Young Dentist
One of the things about recovery is that everyone qualifies! Don't worry, you qualify.
Dr. Alan Mead
Addiction as the Center of a World and the Pathway to Recovery
The Benefits of Rehab to Lead to Recovery
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In this candid clip, Dr. Mead shares how he felt about going into rehab in 2002 and how that led him toward recovery.
The Transition to the Dental Office and Developing New Coping Mechanisms
Addictive Personalities and Positive Coping Mechanisms
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Watch Dr. Mead share about his more recent obsessions and how they remind him of his addictive personality but are much healthier than drugs or alcohol.
Dennis 1:00:01
Dennis 1:00:32
Alan 1:00:35
Dennis 1:01:13
Alan 1:01:25
Dennis 1:01:26
Alan 1:01:34
Dennis 1:01:35
Alan 1:01:53
Dennis 1:03:02
Alan 1:03:21
Dennis 1:03:50
Alan 1:04:02
Dennis 1:04:15
Alan 1:04:16
Dennis 1:04:16
Alan 1:04:21
Well, thank you. It's really... It's been fascinating. I've listened to you talk about this on other podcasts. And I just had some other questions. And I wanted to... And for those who are out there... Like I said in the beginning, you may not be... It may not be you but it's probably someone you know or someone that you love. And I think that's what's so... I think what's really interesting about your story is how your team gathered around, and you had the support. Because I can't imagine you can do this without that kind of support.
Alan 1:00:31
Yeah, it takes a lot.
Dennis 1:00:32
Right? Every day, right? Every day.
Alan 1:00:35
And building... not only are they supporting you, but it's at a level of accountability. Like it's not just "rah, rah." It's also, you know, on some level... It's carrot and stick on some level. If you know that, you know... You can't be a dentist and be a drug addict! You're not allowed. You're putting your patients at risk. So you're really not allowed to, and so on some level there is that. I mean, you can be an Instagram influencer and be a crazy alcoholic. Go nuts. I don't recommend it, but you can. But as a dentist, a licensed health professional, you're not allowed to do that. And so on some level, it does require... It requires accountability. I think that's a really important thing.
Dennis 1:01:13
Thanks so much for sharing. It's really been... I've known you for a long time. And I've wanted to talk about this for a long time. I remember you and I, when we first met, we went to the Bulls game. It was through Cosmedent.
Alan 1:01:25
Yeah, it was awesome.
Dennis 1:01:26
And I think I had offered to get you a beer. And you said, No, I'm sober. Or I'm recovering, I think is what you said.
Alan 1:01:34
I may have.
Dennis 1:01:35
And I didn't know how to respond quite honestly. I sort of was like, "Oh, hmm." And I had to sort of think about that. Because like you said, I mean, you know, alcohol consumption is pervasive in our culture. At any dental meeting or wherever you go. So I thought a lot about that. And I've heard you talk about it on other podcasts and stuff...
Alan 1:01:53
And you know what's funny, that's the conversation that a lot of new, newer people have. The struggle isn't that... The struggle is being honest about it with people in a situation where other people are drinking. That is like very real. It's never really been a problem for me. I can only think of one time in my life where it was anything, and it really wasn't.
But there's a lot of people that don't want to... They feel like they're being everyone else's buzzkill or whatever, you know? They don't want to... They don't want to be the thing that keeps the party from going. And I mean, honestly, my choice is to not hang around the party, on some level, but... But I mean, that's important. It's like there's a lot of peer pressure that goes along with that. And even though we're, you know, developed professionals, we're still human beings that want to be part of the crowd, so it's totally real.
But there's a lot of people that don't want to... They feel like they're being everyone else's buzzkill or whatever, you know? They don't want to... They don't want to be the thing that keeps the party from going. And I mean, honestly, my choice is to not hang around the party, on some level, but... But I mean, that's important. It's like there's a lot of peer pressure that goes along with that. And even though we're, you know, developed professionals, we're still human beings that want to be part of the crowd, so it's totally real.
Yeah. And inevitably, in any social... Not any, but you can try and guide your social situations, but there's going to be times when you're going to be in a situation.
Dennis 1:02:51
Right. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. Well, listen, thanks for being so vulnerable and so open and, you know, honest about your experiences. I don't doubt there's going to be many people that get a lot out of that. So...
Alan 1:03:01
I hope so. That's cool.
Dennis 1:03:02
Thanks so much. All right, well, listen, Dental Online Trainers. I hope you enjoyed this conversation with Alan and myself, and I look forward to seeing you at our future Sharecast. And you should check out Alan's projects. I guess I have to ask one question. So Dental Hacks podcast, that's now extinct?
Alan 1:03:21
Well, it's funny, it's extinct. But it's... At dental hacks.com, you can get to all the old episodes, so they're all still out there. And actually, you can get to them on the... If you have your phone set up to get The Very Dental Podcast, all the old episodes are still there. You can get to them. Or you can go to theverydentalpodcast.com. The easiest way, of course, if you'd like to, because we're mostly audio... The easiest way is just go on your phone, go to the podcast app, if you're an iPhone person, just search "dental," and we'll come up. You know, it's one of those things.
Dennis 1:03:50
Well, if you if you'd like podcasts like I do, then check out The Very Dental Podcast and Alan, and look... I think it's... Is it February every year that you guys are doing The Voices of Dentistry?
Alan 1:04:02
It's January. We've tried to make it... It seems like it's the weekend or two before the Superbowl most years. So that's kind of what we do. I have to tell you, I know... I'll get you the dates. I know them. I just can't remember them offhand. It's already set up for next year. So it's same same time, mid-January.
Dennis 1:04:15
Scottsdale?
Alan 1:04:16
Yep. Yep.
Dennis 1:04:16
All right. So go somewhere warm, if you're in the Midwest like us, go somewhere warm for January, which is a blessing.
Alan 1:04:21
Yeah, it is.
But, you know, if you're in that situation, understand that no matter how well you know your patients, you don't owe them an explanation.
Dr. Alan Mead
Dennis 1:04:22
All right. Well, listen, Dental Online Trainers. Thanks for hanging out, and chatting, or listening to our chit chat with Dr. Alan Mead. I'm Dennis Hartlieb, yours for better dentistry, and yours for better mental health. I think, which is maybe even more important. Well, it's definitely more important. So, until next time, thanks for listening, and we look forward to seeing you at our future podcasts. We'll talk to you next time. Bye. Thank you.
Dental Online Trainers, many of us, if not most of us, are exposed to friends, family or even co-workers that are struggling with some sort of addiction. Unfortunately, for some, it's just merely a look in the mirror. My guest Alan Mead shares that with some love and compassion, there is a way out and a path of sobriety. There are a number of support agencies that are at our fingertips. Just Google to find an organization near you if you or someone you care about is suffering with addiction.
And listen, if you enjoyed this Sharecast, and if there's someone that you know that might be needing to hear this message, please share it with them. Also, don't forget that DOT has so many other great learning opportunities from our monthly webinars where we engage real time with our viewers as we bring in leaders throughout the dental industry, and our monthly coffee and donut Study Club mentoring sessions. We have our live virtual workshops.
In fact, we have a six two direct resin course coming up in June. And we have our blogs and of course our endless selection of hands on pre-recorded technique courses to improve your dentistry. So check us out at DOThandson.com And thanks for joining us. As always, yours for better dentistry. I'm Dr. Dennis Hartlieb.
And listen, if you enjoyed this Sharecast, and if there's someone that you know that might be needing to hear this message, please share it with them. Also, don't forget that DOT has so many other great learning opportunities from our monthly webinars where we engage real time with our viewers as we bring in leaders throughout the dental industry, and our monthly coffee and donut Study Club mentoring sessions. We have our live virtual workshops.
In fact, we have a six two direct resin course coming up in June. And we have our blogs and of course our endless selection of hands on pre-recorded technique courses to improve your dentistry. So check us out at DOThandson.com And thanks for joining us. As always, yours for better dentistry. I'm Dr. Dennis Hartlieb.