Doc Jacques: Your Addiction Lifeguard
Doc Jacques: Your Addiction Lifeguard is a podcast hosted by Dr. Jacques de Broekert, a therapist who helps people navigate addiction and mental health challenges. Each episode offers practical advice, personal stories, and insights into recovery, covering topics like the roots of addiction, therapeutic approaches, and supporting loved ones. The show features conversations with experts and individuals who have overcome addiction, fostering a sense of community and hope. With a holistic approach to health, it aims to be a friendly, expert-driven resource for anyone on a recovery journey.
Episodes
The Rooms Aren't A Dating Pool
Send us Fan Mail The rooms are for recovery, not romance. Here's why swiping right in a meeting can cost you your sobriety, and what to do instead. Support the show
The Destruction of Distractions
Send us Fan MailWhy would you distract yourself from the work of recovery and stability? Because your addiction wants to keep you imprisoned. Support the show
Don't Mask It, Deal With It Part 2
Send us Fan MailFor those of you who are family members listen to this episode on stopping the masking of addiction, but learn to deal with it. Support the show
Don't Mask It, Deal With It Part 1
Send us Fan MailThis weeks episode is a 2 part series. This first episode is for people who are addicts and can't get used to the idea of how to be open and honest with themselves about the real issue. Triggers are not the problem, it's the thing that triggers the real problem that you just have packed away and would rather not deal with. So you mask it instead. Support the show
The Truth Will Set You Free
Send us Fan MailLiving the truth is different than just speaking the truth. Support the show
The Tell Before The Tell
Send us Fan MailSome people think relapse kicks the door down. It doesn't. It tiptoes in wearing a disguise made of "totally normal" excuses — and by the time you notice, it's already been there for weeks. Doc Jacques on the tell before the tell. Support the show
Learning To Swim Without The Lifejacket
Send us Fan Mail Ever quit your drug of choice and realize it was the only tool in the box? Feelings you haven't met in years are fully caffeinated and ready to rumble. Doc Jacques breaks down real coping skills to replace the ones that were slowly killing you — because luck is not a recovery plan. Support the show
When Sobriety Breaks Up The Family
Send us Fan Mail Getting sober was supposed to fix everything, right? The family reunites, the credits roll, everybody hugs. Yeah, well — nobody told your wife, your kids, or your brother who hasn't called since Thanksgiving. Turns out recovery doesn't come with a guarantee that the people who survived your addiction will stick around for your sobriety. Today Doc Jacques tackles the unco
Sober Isn't The Finish Line - Peaceful Is
Send us Fan Mail Congratulations — you stopped using. Now what? Turns out sobriety is just the opening act, and Doc Jacques has some news about the rest of the show. The good news: peace is real and you can get there. The bad news: you actually have to do the work. No shortcuts. He checked. Twice. Support the show
Why The 12 Steps Are Important
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Doc Jacques: Your Addiction Lifeguard, we talk about why stopping drugs or alcohol is only the beginning of recovery. I break down why the 12 Steps matter early in sobriety, why people resist the work, and how addiction survives through isolation, secrecy, and dishonesty.Recovery is more than abstinence. It’s rebuilding the person underneath the addiction.Support
The Comparison Trap
Send us Fan MailYou walk into a meeting, look around the room, and think one of two things: "I'm not as bad as that guy" or "I'll never be as good as that guy." Either way, the enemy just won. This week, Doc Jacques breaks down how comparison is quietly destroying recoveries that had every reason to succeed — and why the only person you were ever supposed to beat was
It Was an Accident, Not a Relapse — Here's Why That Matters
Send us Fan MailYou slipped. It happens. But before you burn down everything you've built — let's talk about the difference between an accident and a relapse, because they are not the same thing Support the show
Sobriety Doesn't Fix Character
Send us Fan Mail Sobriety is a powerful first step—but it doesn’t magically fix character. In this episode, I break down the hard truth that stopping the substance doesn’t automatically change the patterns underneath it. We’re talking about honesty, accountability, and what real recovery actually looks like—for both the person struggling and the family watching and wondering why things still feel
Have You Crossed A Line?
Send us Fan Mail Nobody plans to become addicted—it’s more like you casually wade in and suddenly can’t touch the bottom. In this episode, I break down how that invisible line gets crossed and why if you’re negotiating with yourself, you’re probably already in deeper water than you think. Stay with me—I’ll help you spot it early. Support the show
Why Addicts Sometimes Want to Destroy Themselves
Send us Fan Mail Why would someone whose life is already falling apart keep making things worse? In this episode, Doc Jacques explores one of the strangest parts of addiction — the urge to keep digging when you’re already in a hole. With some straight talk and a little humor, he looks at the mindset that can drive addicts toward self-destruction and why understanding it can be the first step towar
Alcohol and the Hijacked Brain: Why They Can’t Think, Remember, or Decide Like They Used To
Send us Fan Mail This week on Doc Jacques: Your Addiction Lifeguard, we’re taking a clear-eyed (but not doom-and-gloom) look at how alcohol hijacks the brain—why memory goes missing, logic goes offline, and families feel like they’re arguing with a wall. You’ll learn what’s really happening under the hood, why “just explain it better” doesn’t work, and how to stop wrestling the damaged brain while
The Addiction Identity Crisis
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Doc Jacques: Your Addiction Lifeguard, we tackle a sneaky problem nobody warns you about: getting sober… and then getting stuck in the identity of being “the recovering addict.” With a few lifeguard analogies and some straight talk, Doc breaks down the “Addiction Identity Trap” and shows how recovery isn’t the finish line—it’s the doorway to building a bigger, fr
The Enemy In The Parking Lot
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Doc Shock: Your Addiction Lifeguard, we talk about the relapse trigger nobody expects: the people who come strolling back in with a smile, a memory, and an invitation—“the enemy in the parking lot.” Doc breaks down why old using friends can time-travel you right back into the danger zone, and how clear, no-drama boundaries (block, delete, move on) are sometimes
Intervention: Lifeline or Landmine?
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Doc Shock: Your Addiction Lifeguard, Doc pulls the curtain back on interventions—what they really are (a clinical tool), what they’re not (a TV-style ambush), and why timing and follow-through matter more than volume and panic. If you’re a family trying to help a loved one, you’ll get a clear, grounded roadmap for when an intervention can save a life—and when it
Why Relapse Is Not Failure: Learning From Our Mistakes
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Doc Jacques: Your Addiction Lifeguard, we take the heat off relapse and put the spotlight where it belongs: what it’s trying to teach you. Doc breaks down the difference between an “accident” and a full relapse, the three common relapse patterns, and how to swap shame for curiosity so you can make one solid course-correction and get right back into structure, su
Not Your 70s Weed — What Today’s THC Levels Mean
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Doc Jacques: Your Addiction Lifeguard, Doc breaks down the real “THC then vs. THC now” problem—because what people call “just weed” today often looks more like rocket fuel than a 1970s joint. We talk concentrates, vapes, and edibles, why potency (and the THC/CBD ratio) changes the risk for panic and even psychosis—especially for teens—and what families can watch
Dry Holiday In A Wet World
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Doc Jacques: Your Addiction Lifeguard, we talk about surviving the holidays sober in what can feel like a Hallmark movie sponsored by a liquor store. From the “just have one” uncle to the overconfident I got this voice in your own head, Doc lays out practical (and slightly sneaky) strategies for making an appearance, keeping your sanity, and knowing exactly when
At The End Of Your Rope - When Addiction Stops Working
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Doc Jacques: Your Addiction Lifeguard, we talk about what happens when you finally reach the end of your rope—and realize the rope was never actually saving you in the first place. If you’re “sick and tired of being sick and tired” but still somehow negotiating with your substance like it’s a toxic ex, this one’s for you. Support the show
How To Recognize Trauma
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Doc Shock: Your Addiction Lifeguard, we clear up the confusion about trauma—because it’s not the event, it’s the impact the event leaves behind. Two people can go through the same thing and only one walks away wounded, and those wounds often show up later as anxiety, numbness, anger, broken relationships, or addiction. If you’ve been saying “I’m fine” while your
When You Feel Like Giving Up
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Doc Jacques: Your Addiction Lifeguard, we tackle the moment nobody likes to admit out loud—the quiet “I’m tired… I can’t do this anymore” phase of recovery. Doc Jacques breaks down why people drift, experiment, or fully surrender back to addiction, how stress, shame, trauma, isolation, and spiritual discouragement wear you down, and why the urge to quit is usual
Coping With Burnout
Send us Fan MailWhat is it like to reach compassion fatigue and coping with it through addiction. Special guest Ashlea Dillard, retired Firefighter and now mental health counselor, as she discusses compassion fatigue and burnout with negative and faulty coping mechanisms. Her podcast is https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sit-around-the-fire/id1779172848Support the show
Why the Steps Matter: The Blueprint for Lasting Recovery
Send us Fan MailWhy it is so important to have structure around you while you work your recovery. Support the show
Dealing with Sadness in Addiction — Learning to Feel Without Drowning
Send us Fan MailHow do you survive sadness in recovery? Let's find outSupport the show
Hidden in Plain Sight — Why You’re Trying to Hide Your Addiction
Send us Fan MailWhy is it that your addiction makes you hide your addiction?Support the show
THC: The Hidden Hook — Understanding the Addictive Dangers of Modern Marijuana
Send us Fan MailTHC is popular and more dangerous than ever. Support the show
What To Do When Tragedy Strikes
Send us Fan MailWhat are you supposed to do when tragedy strikes and you feel depressed or angry about a severe loss when you are in recovery?Support the show
Why Addicts Resist Seeing Trauma as the Root
Send us Fan MailWhy do addicts not see trauma as a problem or something that they have experienced?Support the show
The Hidden Grief In Addiction
Send us Fan MailDo you have an addict that you love and who you feel like your losing? Many times hidden grief is what is going on and you don't even realize it. Support the show
Why Do I Keep Sabotaging My Own Recovery
Send us Fan MailJust why are you sabotaging your own recovery? Let's find out. Support the show
Isolation Is Addictions Best Friend
Send us Fan MailLearn why isolation is so commonly used by addicts to make it possible to increase their usage of their substance of choice.Support the show
The Issues That Can Cause Discomfort
Send us Fan MailToday our world is in crisis and it is effecting so many people. What do you do if you are triggered into feeling really uncomfortable by world events?Support the show
Step 9: A Very Particular Part Of Recovery
Send us Fan MailThere is a specific part of Step 9 that I always feel I need to address when working with people working on recovery.Support the show
The Push And Pull Of Discomfort
Send us Fan MailDo you know someone who is an addict and just can't seem to tolerate discomfort? Or are you that person who can't tolerate discomfort? Support the show
Addicts and Loved Ones Suffer Bitterness
Send us Fan MailAs an addict are you full of bitterness? How about replacing it with betterness? Support the show
Finding A Good Therapist Is Important
Send us Fan MailWhy is it important to find a good therapist? And how do you know if you found one that is good? Let's find out.Support the show
The Brain Changes On The Journey To Recovery
Send us Fan MailYour brain and mental health changes when you start your journey into getting clean and sober. Support the show
Step 12: How To Spread The Good News
Send us Fan MailSpreading the message of recovery and living the principles of recovery are good goals. That's what Step 12 is all about.Support the show
Do You Know How To Self-Sooth?
Send us Fan MailIt is important to know how and when to self sooth when you are uncomfortable.Support the show
Change Your Perspective, Change Your Addiction
Send us Fan MailSomething as simple as working on your perspective can alter your recovery that maybe has stalled out or you are struggling to start. Support the show
Alice In Wonderland Can Teach Us Something About Our Addiction
Send us Fan MailThrough The Looking Glass is a children's story that is a metaphor about growing up with addiction. Support the show
The Trauma Response Trifecta
Send us Fan MailThere are three areas of us that get affected by trauma. Do you know that this is happening? Support the show
Where To Return As A Prodigal Child
Send us Fan MailEver person working on recovery ultimately becomes a returning prodigal child. But what to do when you have no where to return to. Support the show
The Enemy Wants Your Soul
Send us Fan MailAddiction is a spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical warfare. Are you able to engage in the battle alone without armor and weapons?Support the show
What Is It Really Like Going To Rehab?
Send us Fan MailFind out what it's really like going to rehab for the first time. What did you expect it to be like? Support the show
Separate The Problem From The Addiction
Send us Fan MailA tough thing to do is to separate the problem from the addiction in order to move to recovery and self forgiveness. Support the show
Getting There Because Of You
Send us Fan MailIs it really important to get clean and sober for someone else or because of someone else? I think it is better to do it because of someone. Find out why in this podcast episode.Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show
Is This Rock Bottom?
Send us Fan MailThe latest tragedy that just happened to me, is this finally rock bottom? Support the show
Just How Long Is This Gonna Take?
Send us Fan MailThe question of how long does it take before I can consider myself to be clean or sober gets answered.Support the show
Be Responsible For Your Own Recovery
Send us Fan MailStop making other people be responsible for your recovery by doing all of it for you. Support the show
The Stages Of Recovery
Send us Fan MailThe stages of the focus of recovery as described by someone who has been working on recovery for the past year are great words of wisdom. Listen to learn what they are.Support the show
When You Order Salvation You Must Receive The Goods
Send us Fan MailIf you ask for salvation you must be ready to do the work that results in salvation. Support the show
It's The Small Things That Matter
Send us Fan MailWhen you have been working on the big things in recovery sometimes you can lose sight of the small things that make a big difference.Support the show
How To Pick A Sponsor
Send us Fan MailIs picking a sponsor a seemingly difficult or impossible task for you? Well get some advice on how to do it and who to pick.Support the show
The Stoics Can Teach Us Something About Recovery
Send us Fan MailThe Stoic philosophy can be applied to recovery., Support the show
Connectivity Is The Key To Recovery
Send us Fan MailHow we get past the use of arrogance to get into recovery is through connection and trust. Support the show
Help, I've Fallen And I Won't Get Up!
Send us Fan MailBeing magically stuck in a position where you won't move to get the help and get into recovery is a tough place to find yourself.Support the show
Relief From The Past
Send us Fan MailHaving a troubled past will lead you to destruction. Getting into a group environment can help you when you are trying to work through your old issues that seem to linger in your present. Support the show
Accident, Experiment, Or Relapse
Send us Fan MailIf you go back out what can you expect, and just what did you do? Was it an accident, and experiment, or a full on relapse? Support the show
Determination Is All You Need To Get There
Send us Fan MailWill power is not what will get you into recovery, determination is the real driver. Support the show
Accountability And Responsibility, What's The Difference?
Send us Fan MailAccountability and responsibility are two very different things but in recovery they sometimes get confused to mean the same thing. Support the show
Step 5: Deflation Of The Ego
Send us Fan MailIs Step Five really the most difficult step? Deflation of the ego is a necessary step and yes it is difficult. Support the show
Addiction Is Not A Choice, But A Decision Is
Send us Fan MailSome would say that addiction is you just choosing to use. Others say it is beyond your control. I say life is about decisions and you can make a different decision today to do something else. Support the show
Purposeful Remembering
Send us Fan MailWhen you are working on recovery you will need to go through memories of all the stuff you did. How do you do that without weaponizing those memories to attack yourself. By using purposeful remembering. Support the show
The Stages Of Denial
Send us Fan MailThere are several stages of denial when you are working on your recovery. So what are those stages? Good question, listen and find out. Support the show
Right Fighters: Are You One?
Send us Fan MailRight fighters are a problem in recovery. Are you one? Are you fighting for the right to party (yes 1990s reference millennials)? Let's find out why and what to do about them.Support the show
Special Guest: Donnie
Send us Fan MailHear some words of wisdom from someone who survived the 1960's and lived to tell about it. Support the show
Special Guest: Jon
Send us Fan MailOur guest today has taken a wondering path to recovery that has included may twists and turns. Support the show
How To Make An Aftercare Program
Send us Fan MailAfter you get out of rehab what's next? The aftercare program kicks in. Or at least it should.Support the show
Defining Recovery
Send us Fan MailWhat's the difference between abstinence, sobriety, and recovery? Support the show
Boundaries, Boundaries, Boundaries!
Send us Fan MailWhy are boundaries important and just how do you place, maintain, and keep them?Support the show
You Need To Change Your Behavior To Change Your Thinking
Send us Fan MailWhy you can't think your way out of addiction.Support the show
A Culture Change Away From Enmeshment
Send us Fan MailDestruction of relationships due to enmeshment requires more than just words or behavior for addiction it is an entire relationship culture that needs to change.Support the show
What Is The Opposite Of Addiction?
Send us Fan MailIs the opposite of addiction sobriety or being clean? I don't think so. Support the show
Our Troubling Times
Send us Fan MailIt seems like the world is blowing up and that can be a threat to your recovery. Do something to help your self cope. Support the show
That Crazy Switch In My Head
Send us Fan MailWhy do you lose time and reality when you get triggered? And why does impulsivity take over? Support the show
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