Episode 19 - PAT

This week on Sober Champs, Pete and Aiden sit down with Patrick Arni, a community leader with over a decade sober who went from sleeping in a closet to becoming the Executive Director of a thriving reentry nonprofit in Seattle.

Patrick’s story starts on the Eastside of Seattle in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, where he found himself getting high before he even hit high school. Diagnosed with ADHD as a kid and bouncing between schools, Patrick describes how he slipped through the cracks early, masking his struggles with weed, alcohol, and a deep love for books — his one constant escape.

The episode dives into the layers of Patrick’s addiction: from a violent head injury in his teens that introduced him to OxyContin in the early days of the opioid epidemic, to multiple arrests, treatment attempts, and years on and off Suboxone. He shares with raw honesty what it felt like to lose everything — his health, his relationships, and most of all, trust in himself.

But Patrick’s turning point came after a terrifying overdose in 2013, when a moment of desperation sparked a surrender: a prayer, a call to his dad, and a one-way drive to Idaho that eventually led to treatment. From there, he chose to face his wreckage head-on — court dates, jail time, and the long, humbling path of early recovery.

Now 11 years sober, Patrick shares how he rebuilt from the ground up: becoming a father, reconnecting with his parents, marrying the love of his life, and leading a team that provides housing, job training, and support for people reentering society after incarceration. With over 30 full-time staff, Patrick’s organization isn’t just saving lives — it’s changing the system.

This episode is a testament to what long-term recovery can look like: not perfect, but full. From stealing steaks to securing millions in public funding, Patrick’s story proves that redemption isn’t just possible — it can become your platform to lift others.