Written by Pollyanna and Aoife, Year 12
On Tuesday the 30th April, the Sixth Form welcomed Patrick Foster, former professional Cricketer, Teacher and recovering gambling addict to the school. Foster candidly shared his story with us, educating us on addiction, mental health and although at times, being hard to hear, many of us became educated upon the susceptible nature of gambling.
The talk was enlightening as it allowed us to gain a powerful insight into the struggles of addiction, its warning signs and how to reach out for help. The talk aimed to get rid of the stigma surrounding addiction, with Patrick encouraging people to seek help by recounting his own experiences, as he spiralled into a gambling addiction, resulting in a huge strain on his mental and physical health. He discussed the damaging effects of addiction on mental health such as anxiety and depression, emphasising that seeking out help is brave, not a sign of weakness. The Sixth Form found Foster’s road to recovery particularly inspiring, through rehab and therapy, he found a way to rebuild his life, showing remarkable hope and resilience, teaching a powerful life lesson to never give up.
If you want to find out more, you can read his book Might Bite: The Secret Life of a Gambling Addict: Patrick Foster.