In this episode of The Broken Pack™: Stories of Sibling Loss, Dr. Dean talks with Dr. Christina Zampitella, a licensed psychologist, thanatologist, and founder of the Center for Grief and Trauma Therapy in Delaware. Dr. Z lost her brother Damien to a drug overdose on Christmas Day when he was just 22 years old. This episode explores the lifelong impact of sibling loss, the complicated grief that comes with loving someone through addiction, and what it truly means to carry your sibling with you. In this episode you will:

Hear Dr. Z's story of how losing Damien became the foundation of her life's work.
Learn what surviving siblings need to know about grief integration, STUGs, maintaining a continued bond, and why there is no "getting over it"
Be inspired by Dr. Z's resilience through cumulative losses & her commitment to honoring those she has loved and lost.

Connect with Dr. Christina Zampitella:

Website: https://tinyurl.com/59x7e9mf
Podcast: Phoenix Rising with Dr. Z — available on all platforms
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/ms5ea5fw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phoenixrisingwithdrz/
All links: https://linktr.ee/phoenixrising_drz

Resources:

In the US:
- If you believe you are witnessing an overdose, call 911 or your country’s emergency number immediately even if you are administering Narcan.
- Call SAMHSA’s National Helpline is 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or Text your 5-digit ZIP Code to 435748 (HELP4U) or call a warmline.
- For more immediate crisis call 911, 988, or go to the nearest emergency room.
- Peer support: https://warmline.org/warmdir.html
International
- In the UK, related resources: https://tinyurl.com/3fknb36c
- Peer support warmlines: https://tinyurl.com/2pv58j4m

Support the show

If you would like more information or to share your own sibling loss story, please contact Dr. Angela Dean at contact@thebrokenpack.com or go to our website, thebrokenpack.com.

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Thank you!
Angela M. Dean, PsyD, FT

Credits:
The Broken Pack™ Podcast is produced by Not Done Here Media

"If Tomorrow Starts Without Me" © ℗ 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
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Written by Joe Mylward and Brian Dean
Licensed for use to The Broken Pack™
Now available on all streaming platforms including Apple Music & Spotify: https://tiny...

A Christmas Loss. A Surviving Sibling Who Changes Lives.