Dr. Jacques de Broekert
Dr. Jacques de Broekert
What To Do When Tragedy Strikes
What To Do When Tragedy Strikes
What To Do When Tragedy Strikes
Friday 3rd October 2025
Dr. Jacques de Broekert shares strategies for coping with tragedy while in recovery, focusing on connection and maintaining routines.
26 minutes
Inspiring
Informative
Supportive
Compassionate
Hopeful
About this podcast
Author:
Dr. Jacques de Broekert
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Understanding Addiction & Recovery
Family Recovery from Addiction
Recovery from Trauma
Creative Recovery Journeys
Links:
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Episodes:
137 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!When Tragedy Strikes: Staying Sober Through Loss
Episode Overview
- Avoid isolation; it's a breeding ground for addiction.
- Maintain routines to stay grounded during grief.
- Reach out to meetings, therapists, or community groups for support.
- Allow yourself to feel emotions rather than suppressing them.
- Engage in physical or creative activities to process grief.
"Isolation is addiction's best friend. Don't isolate."
What are you supposed to do when tragedy strikes and you're in recovery? Dr. Jacques de Broekert, affectionately known as Doc Shock, is back with another episode of 'Your Addiction Lifeguard' to tackle this very question. With his characteristic blend of humour and expertise, Dr. Jacques offers practical advice for those grappling with severe loss while battling addiction.
He likens the experience of grief to being caught in a rip current, where the instinctive reaction can often lead to exhaustion or worse. Instead, he advises swimming sideways—metaphorically speaking—by maintaining routines and reaching out for support. Dr. Jacques emphasises the importance of not isolating oneself during times of grief, as isolation is a breeding ground for addiction. He suggests returning to meetings, connecting with therapists, and leaning on faith or community groups.
It's all about creating a network of support that can help you process your feelings rather than becoming overwhelmed by them. In this heartfelt episode, Dr. Jacques also shares the significance of allowing oneself to feel emotions rather than suppressing them. Whether through physical activities like running or creative outlets such as art, finding a way to express grief is crucial. So, if you're facing a storm in your life, remember: you're not alone.
Reach out, stay connected, and let others help shoulder your burden. What strategies will you adopt to swim sideways through life's challenges?