From Surviving to Living: Wayne's Journey of Recovery, Faith, and Family

For years, Haden "Wayne" Wayner felt like he was simply going through the motions of life. He had a family, held jobs, and tried to manage his responsibilities, but alcohol and addiction had slowly taken over.

"It was surviving, not really living," Wayne recalls. "I was not present. I was there physically, but mentally and spiritually, I wasn't."

As the pressures of life mounted, Wayne turned to alcohol to cope. What began as a way to escape eventually became something he depended on every day.

"I started drinking the bottle and then the bottle started drinking me," he says.

By October 2025, Wayne had been through multiple rehabilitation programs. His family had supported him for years, but they knew something needed to change. While staying with his sister, she told him something he would never forget.

"I'd be crying right now if I didn't have hope."

Those words stayed with him. On the drive to Dallas 24 Hour Club with his brother, Wayne finally admitted something he had spent years avoiding.

"I'm an alcoholic. I'm an addict."

For Wayne, that moment marked the beginning of a new life.

Finding Recovery at The 24

When Wayne arrived at The 24, he decided to approach recovery differently. Instead of believing he already knew the answers, he began listening. He watched other Residents finding success in recovery, attended meetings, found a sponsor, and began working the 12-Steps for the first time.

Over time, Wayne realized that recovery was about much more than putting down alcohol and drugs. It meant taking responsibility for his decisions, rebuilding relationships, and learning to live differently.

His faith became the foundation of his recovery, giving him strength to face challenges he once tried to escape.

When asked about the biggest change in his life since coming to The 24, Wayne doesn't hesitate.

"Peace," he says.

For years, Wayne struggled to feel comfortable with himself, often turning to alcohol and drugs to escape life's challenges. Today, he has found a sense of calm and contentment that he once thought was impossible.

"There's no amount of money you can ever give me that I would change for the peace that God gives me."

For someone who spent years trying to numb his feelings, finding peace within himself is something he no longer takes for granted.

Rebuilding His Life and Family

Of all the changes in Wayne's life, none means more to him than rebuilding his relationship with his children, ages three and eight.

When asked what he is most proud of since beginning his recovery journey, he doesn't hesitate. "I got my kids back. I got my world back."

Wayne acknowledges that while he loved his children throughout his addiction, he wasn't always able to be fully present.

Today, he treasures the time they spend together. "When I don't see them, it's okay because when I do see them, I'm there."

Wayne now lives at Tillman House, Phase 3 of Dallas 24 Hour Club's transitional living program, where Residents practice independent living while remaining connected to a supportive recovery community.

He also works at Whole Foods and continues to build the stability and independence needed for his future. Having experienced other recovery programs, Wayne believes the approach at The 24 has made a meaningful difference. "When they say transitional living, this is actually transitional living," he says.

Finding Purpose in Helping Others

Today, Wayne finds some of his greatest fulfillment in helping others who are struggling with addiction. He now sponsors others in recovery, sharing what he has learned and offering encouragement to those who may not yet see a way forward.

Wayne also spends many of his mornings coloring as a way to reflect and find peace. He often shares his finished artwork with staff and fellow Residents at The 24, offering a small but thoughtful gift to brighten someone's day.

"Recovery is me being of service to someone else," Wayne explains.

On October 10, 2026, Wayne celebrated one year of sobriety. While he is proud of that milestone, he is even more grateful for the life he gets to live today — one grounded in faith, strengthened by family, and filled with opportunities to help others.

Wayne's journey is a reminder that recovery is about more than getting sober. It's about rebuilding relationships, finding purpose, and discovering that a different life is possible. At Dallas 24 Hour Club, stories like Wayne's are what A Brand New Start is all about.