“One person’s line of cocaine once a month can possibly enrich his or her life.” So, when does it become addiction? In this episode, Matt sits down with Jan Gerber, entrepreneur and mental health/addiction expert, founder of Paracelsus Recovery, to draw the real line between coping, stress, self-medication, and addiction. Jan’s view is blunt: “It’s a problem when it becomes a problem.” And addiction? It’s usually just a symptom of something deeper. They get into the founder reality most people ignore: high stress, constant pressure, and the slippery slope where healthy habits go out the window and “quick fixes” creep in, caffeine, sugar, alcohol, pills and sometimes drugs. Jan breaks down what actually helps: pragmatic self-awareness, changing commitments, building resilience, and addressing root causes instead of masking symptoms. Timestamps: 0:00 – “One line of cocaine…”: where addiction begins 2:53 – “It’s a problem when it becomes a problem” 4:12 – Stress → coping → self-medication (how the slide happens) 5:37 – Why modern life makes addiction easier (tech, loneliness, comparison) 9:22 – The gym analogy: healthy stress vs overload and collapse 13:42 – “Dose makes the poison” + goals of treatment (not one-size-fits-all) 18:13 – Treating founder stress: change the outside + change your tools 20:21 – What goes first: sleep, training, food… and what replaces it 25:31 – Medication: the right use, the wrong use, and tolerance 30:19 – Prevention: awareness + “battery check” before it’s too late 34:32 – Culture, stigma, and why judgement blocks recovery 41:06 – How to find Jan / Paracelsus + final advice Follow Jan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerberjan/ Website: https://jangerber.com/ Subscribe YT: @NoBollocksPodcast | Spotify | Apple Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to No Bollocks with Matt Haycox and leave a review, it really helps more entrepreneurs find the show. ======================== Connect with Matt Haycox, No BS Business Podcast Host & 8-Figure Entrepreneur. I’m Matt Haycox, entrepreneur, investor, and your straight-talking guide to building a business that actually works. I’ve raised over £750M, built (and rebuilt) 8-figure companies, and learned the hard way what it really takes to win. On No Bollocks with Matt Haycox, I cut through the bollocks to bring you raw conversations with 7–8 figure founders, investors, and experts who’ve been there, done it, and got the scars to prove it. No hype, no theory, just actionable strategies you can use today to start, grow, and scale your business. Whether you’re stuck in your 9–5, building your side hustle, or trying to hit your first £100k month, this is your go-to podcast for entrepreneur tips, startup growth strategies, raising capital, building a personal brand, and avoiding the costly mistakes most founders make. 📩 Get Matt’s free business newsletter for weekly strategies, mindset shifts, and behind-the-scenes lessons → https://nobollockswithmatthaycox.beehiiv.com/subscribe ▶ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/thematthaycox/ ▶ YouTube – No Bollocks Podcast - YouTube ▶ LinkedIn – https://www.li...
