53. Life As A Recovering Gambling Addict with Patrick Chester

A recent study in the U.S. has shown that nearly 10 million Americans struggle with compulsive gambling every year. While it may not have physical effects like drug abuse or other addictions, it’s still something that can damage your relationships, finances, and life. 

Welcome back to Warriors Unmasked! Today we have an incredible conversation with father of two, professional speaker and mental health advocate, and recovering gambling addict, Patrick Chester. If the statistic previously shared hits close to home, you’re going to want to stick around for this episode. Patrick lets us into his journey of how innocent bets on football games became an insatiable addiction to gambling. Eventually, leaving Patrick with no job, a marriage on the rocks, and sitting in jail. 

Listen in as Patrick opens up about the moment he hit rock bottom, as well as how he found the strength and hope to continue living in recovery. The day he stepped out of jail was the first day he experienced freedom, not just in the physical, but from the overwhelming monster that a gambling addiction brings. You’ll hear the best steps to begin the process of recovery, the support system you can find no matter where you are, and what life looks like free of addiction. 

This story is sure to bring you to the edge of your seat as you listen to Patrick’s struggle and eventual victory over addiction. For more resources, or to connect with Patrick, check out the links below! 

More Of What’s Inside:

• The addiction to gambling
• Understanding the disease of addiction 
• Finding hope during recovery
• Why your story matters
• Falling into the cycle of rationalizing addiction
• How gambling affected Patrick’s loved ones
• The moment he hit rock bottom
• Life after recovery as a gambling addict
• The last bet Patrick ever made
• Finding freedom from addiction 
• The support system that helped Patrick recover 
• And much more!

 

GUEST LINKS:

• Twitter: http://twitter.com/@patrickchester9
• Phone number: 425-492-0556

LINKS:

• malarchuk.com/book 
• malarchuk.com 
• www.thecompassionateconnection.com 
• www.warriorsunmasked.com 
• Follow us on Instagram
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• My Community Contact

 

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:02 - A look into the episode!
• 2:13 - Introducing Patrick Chester
• 7:26 - Finding hope in the struggle
• 10:37 - How the gambling addiction started
• 14:54 - The anxiety of hiding an addiction
• 18:39 - When Patrick’s business fell apart
• 21:47 - Struggling with mental illness after
• 25:07 - How gambling became a high for Patrick
• 26:53 - The moment Patrick changed his thinking
• 32:02 - Faith that helped Patrick find recovery
• 34:10 - Rebuilding trust with his family 
• 38:58 - Dealing with the aftermath of a gambling addiction
• 43:34 - Feeling thankful for the struggles of life
• 48:42 - Patrick’s advice for you
• 50:07 - Where to connect with Patrick
• 50:35 - Closing thoughts