In this episode of Ditch the Lab Coat, Dr. Mark Bonta sits down with Dr. Dov Gebien for a deeply personal and raw conversation about addiction, stigma, and redemption within the medical profession. 

Dr. Gebien, an emergency physician, shares his courageous story of opioid addiction—tracing his journey from the initial dependency that crept in after multiple back surgeries, through the devastating fallout of withdrawal, arrest, and prison, to his eventual recovery and fight to reclaim both his medical license and sense of self.

The episode explores the culture of medicine and the harsh judgment often faced by healthcare professionals struggling with substance use. Dr. Gebien opens up about the profound shame and isolation that accompany addiction, explaining how secrecy and fear of exposure perpetuate suffering. He discusses how his turning point came when he finally “came clean,” recounting the unexpected compassion from some colleagues, but also the widespread mistreatment and lack of understanding he encountered—especially compared to how the system treats those with alcohol use disorder or physical illness.

Dr. Gebien and Dr. Bonta delve into how the medical system, historically complicit in the opioid crisis, continues to stigmatize opioid addiction in its ranks, and they candidly address the punitive versus rehabilitative paths offered to healthcare workers in crisis. 

Dr. Gebien reflects on how recovery transformed his approach to medicine, fostering empathy and changing the way he relates to patients facing addiction.

Now a community physician, public speaker, and researcher with published work on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Dr. Gebien unpacks his reinvention and the ongoing challenges of regaining trust and credibility within his field. The episode is a powerful meditation on perseverance, accountability, and hope—the “hard-won kind” forged through adversity.

Episode Highlights

1. The Power of Honesty : Telling the truth about addiction, even when it’s painful, is the starting point for recovery and lightens the emotional burden.

2. Compassion Over Judgment : Healthcare needs more compassion and less stigma toward addiction—judgment only deepens isolation and suffering for both patients and clinicians.

3. Addiction Knows No Boundaries : Opioid addiction can affect anyone—doctors, professionals, or neighbors—not just the stereotypical “skid row” population.

4. Burnout Breeds Judgment : Compassion fatigue and harsh attitudes in emergency medicine can lead to diminished empathy for those with addiction struggles.

5. Redefining Professional Redemption : Recovery and return to practice after addiction require perseverance, transparency, and a willingness to rebuild credibility from scratch.

6. Forgiveness and Second Chances
Reintegration into medicine is possible, but it demands humility, hard work, and meeting rigorous requirements to ensure public safety.

7. Continuous Recovery Accountability
Structured support systems—therapy groups, monitoring, and regular check-ins—are vital in maintaining long-term recovery and reducing relapse risk.

8. Experience Builds Better Doctors
Personal hardship, including addiction and recovery, can foster stronger empathy, better listening skills, and more effective patient care.

Episode Timestamps

3:32 – Resilient Hope Amid Adversity
9:32 – Addiction's Story: A Broader Insight
10:54 – Opioid Dependency Misunderstanding
17:12 – Compassion in Addiction Treatment
21:07 – Forgiveness and Reintegration in Healthcare
23:39 – Challenges Reveal True Character
27:13 – Recovery: Holistic Approaches Versus Cure
29:38 – Expressing Myself Through Recovery
33:20 – Challenges of Reintegration for Felons
37:01 – Healthcare Workers' Untreated Disorders Insight
39:10 – Diaphragm Cramp Research Breakthrough
42:33 – Rediscovering Purpose in Medicine
45:00 – Secrets, Addiction, and Consequences
48:44 – Finding Hope After Disgrace

DISCLAMER >>>>>>    The Ditch Lab Coat podcast serves solely for general informational purposes and does not serve as a substitute for professional medical services such as medicine or nursing. It does not establish a doctor/patient relationship, and the use of information from the podcast or linked materials is at the user's own risk. The content does not aim to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and users should promptly seek guidance from healthcare professionals for any medical conditions.  

 >>>>>> The expressed opinions belong solely to the hosts and guests, and they do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Hospitals, Clinics, Universities, or any other organization associated with the host or guests.   

 Disclosures: Ditch The Lab Coat podcast is produced by (Podkind.co) and is independent of Dr. Bonta's teaching and research roles at McMaster University, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Queens University.