Inside Wade

Growing up in a severely alcoholic environment where alcohol and intoxication were the norm, Wade would often stay in his room to be away from the commotion outside.

In his childhood and throughout his teens, Wade witnesses many horrific things both in the world outside and happening to his parents.  One example was when his father, while working as a gas station attendant, was robbed and shot while Wade was a small child.  Another example was when his mother was abused and beaten – breaking every bone in her face, requiring several surgeries to repair the damage.

Unknown to his parents, at the tender age of five, Wade was molested.  He felt ashamed and told no one.  Suicidal thoughts and depression really factored in for Wade while growing up in this environment.  By his early teens Wade began drinking and experimenting with drugs.  Wade began to find ease and comfort in the very things that had brought so much pain into his environment as a child. 

Wade had trouble fitting in with others and his parents struggled with knowing how to help him.  Through his teens the distance between Wade and his parents grew and he grew alone and confused.

By his late teens, he found himself hanging out with the wrong crowd.  He and the gang broke into homes and occasionally stole cars for money and excitement.  The only thing that probably kept him from dropping out of high school was playing sports, which not only made him feel empowered, but required an acceptable grade point average and class participation.

In an attempt to find change in his life and to feel empowered Wade decided to join the military, only to find drugs more rampant and all-night drinking parties to be the norm.  One night he awoke in a military hospital coughing up blood from alcohol poisoning.  He realized things were really bad and completely out of control.  He made a few attempts at recovering being able to stay sober for several months at a time, but always ending in relapse.

At age 23, Wade was in a desperate condition.  His troubled marriage was over and he wanted to end his life.  One night his beautiful young daughter interrupted his suicidal thoughts by questioning, “Daddy, what are you doing?”  He suddenly realized that he couldn’t go through with ending his life because his daughter meant too much to him.

Gradually things grew worse.  Before hitting bottom, Wade found himself homeless twice, sleeping in his car to stay warm and off of the streets.  He would finally give up and knock on his father’s door seeking help.  This was difficult for him due to his own pride and the distant relationship he had with his father at the time.

Wade arrived at CityTeam with a short term of sobriety, many bad habits, and a life that was a mess.  The CityTeam staff hired him as an Administrative Assistant and had him work recovery at the same time.  In the process of rebuilding his life, he developed a strong desire to help others to find the freedom that had been so freely given to him.

As his passion for helping those trapped in a cycle of alcoholism and addiction grew, so did his role at CityTeam.  Wade, was given the role of being in charge of the recovery program in our Oakland location, and began teaching several recovery classes including classes on the Twelve Steps.  He is now in the role of Recovery Trainer for the organization and not only teaches the information, but from his own dark past as an example of what the recovery transformation process is really like.

Wade helps others to rehabilitation through trusting in God and what he likes to call “Cleaning House” (quoted from the Alcoholics Anonymous book pg 98).  He helps our clients to deal with the past, present, and the future and to find the power which will solve their problems.

He is excited to be a part of CityTeam’s Recovery Network and to reach out to people around the world.

You can contact Wade at recovery@cityteam.org