How Gambling Addiction & Crack Addiction Ruined My Life

In episode 45 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Malik Keene, discussing his journey from active addiction to long-term recovery. Malik opens up about quitting drugs and alcohol, walking away from the drug dealer lifestyle, and confronting a gambling addiction that deeply impacted every area of his life. He shares how multiple DUIs and compulsive gambling became major turning points, forcing him to face the consequences of addiction and ultimately choose sobriety. Now dedicated to helping others, Malik explains how he transformed his lived experience into purpose and became a sobriety coach, supporting individuals seeking recovery from substance use, gambling, and other addictive behaviors. This episode offers an honest conversation about addiction, accountability, mental health, and what real recovery looks like beyond just quitting substances.

Malik's Links! |Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/3901295416779134Book A Screening Call - https://calendly.com/malik-malikkeene/screening-callMalik's Book - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DVQ6M2TR

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.Chapters |

00:00 Welcome & Podcast Mission

01:13 Introducing Malik’s Recovery Journey

03:30 Addiction Timeline & Early Struggles

06:40 Middle School Trauma & Search for Belonging

13:00 High School Years: Experimentation & Party Lifestyle

17:00 First Experience with Addiction Consequences

22:00 Escalation in College: Drugs, Gambling, and Dealing

29:00 Understanding Gambling & Its Risks

36:00 Rock Bottom Moments: Violence, DUIs, and Crisis

47:00 Cycle of Addiction: Guilt, Relapse, and Denial

01:00:00 Spiritual Turning Point & Seeking Help

01:04:00 Key Relationships & the Path to Surrender

01:09:00 Checking Into Rehab & Embracing Recovery

01:18:00 Transformation, Faith, and Life After Addiction

01:25:00 Debating Identity: 'Once an Addict, Always an Addict?'

01:32:00 Multiple Pathways to Recovery & Breaking the Stigma

01:36:00 Supporting Others, Resources & Final Thoughts

Fuck the Stigma is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes people shouldn’t be judged or labeled based on their mental health status. Whether you are struggling with an addiction or have been taking meds for a diagnosis, our community doesn’t judge and seeks to collectively end the stigma around mental health.

Our mission is to normalize mental health and mental illness as widespread, treatable, and acceptable. We do this by providing useful resources, improving access to services for those who need help, sharing stories, and building a community of young people who all agree…

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