My Chest Was Left Open for 3 Days—All Because of Alcohol

When I sat down with Rickey Franks Jr., I knew his story would be powerful—but I wasn’t prepared for how raw and real it would get. From drinking at 2AM to keep the withdrawals away, to flatlining on the operating table after years of addiction, Rickey’s journey is one of pain, faith, and redemption.

In this post, I’m sharing the highlights of our conversation—his path through relapse, heart failure, and the brutal honesty it takes to stay sober. If you’re navigating sobriety or supporting someone who is, Rickey’s story will hit home.

🎧 Watch my Full Interview with Ricky here:

Waking Up at 2AM With a Bottle in Hand

Ricky used to wake up at 2AM—not because of insomnia or nightmares—but because he needed to drink. Not wanted—needed. By 3AM, he was waking his wife up to confess: "I've got a problem. I need to go somewhere today. We can’t put this off any longer." That was the moment I admitted I wasn’t in control anymore.

He was a slave to alcohol.

Ricky’s Addiction Didn’t Start Overnight

Everyone has a beginning. For Ricky, it was sneaking smokes with his cousins at four years old and sipping whiskey at twelve. Growing up in a small town in Alabama, tobacco and alcohol were easy to get. By 14, he was drinking and smoking weed regularly. By 19, he owned a home that became a party hub. By 42, he was drinking daily—morning to night.

But he held down a job. Paid the bills. Raised kids. He thought he was fine because he could function. That was a lie.

The Dangerous Myth of the “Functioning Alcoholic”

People say, “At least I’m not drinking on the job.” But Ricky was. He called vodka “adult Capri Suns,” hid it in water bottles, and snuck shots in the early morning hours. It was part of his lunchbox, his morning routine, his everything.

If you’re managing to “hold it together,” but need alcohol to get through the day, that’s not holding it together. That’s surviving with a ticking time bomb.

First Rehab: The Wake-Up That Didn’t Stick

In October 2021, Ricky went to rehab voluntarily. Most of the others were court-ordered. It felt more like punishment than healing. Still, he came out six weeks sober.

He thought he could handle moderation.

So, one weekend when the kids were gone, Ricky and his wife tried drinking again. Just one night. Everything went “fine” until it didn’t. Within six months, Ricky was hiding vodka in the same bottle rehab gave me for recovery.

Let that sink in.

Second Rehab: Going From Punishment to Freedom

By this point, he was shaking if he didn’t drink. Sick. Missing work. Dying slowly.

This time, he wasn’t just scared—he was ready. His mindset had shifted. He wasn’t going to rehab to be punished. He was going to be set free.

He lost his job while in treatment. But the day he found out, a friend offered him another. That job? Ricky still has it today. It's the best he’s ever had. That’s what freedom looks like.

Then Ricky’s Heart Quit

Just as things were getting better, I found out I needed heart surgery—replacing valves, repairing arteries, and getting a pacemaker. I flatlined multiple times. My heart literally stopped.

They left his chest open for three days.

He  had tubes in his neck pumping blood, he couldn’t walk, use the bathroom, or breathe on his own. He was in the hospital for 32 days. He came out with a pacemaker... and a purpose.

Every day since has been bonus time.

Sobriety Is a Daily Fight—Here’s How Ricky Won

Getting sober is one thing. Staying sober is another. Here’s how Ricky does it:

1. Have a Plan for Everything

• Headed to a restaurant that serves alcohol? Wait a few months.

• Going to a bar for a music gig? Take someone sober and stay accountable

• Recovering from surgery? Give your meds to someone else to manage.
  

2. Start Your Day With Purpose

• Thank God you woke up sober.

• Set the tone with worship music, prayer, or a quick devotional.

• Be the first to bring joy—don’t wait to absorb someone else’s mood.
  
  

3. Build a Brotherhood

Ricky co-lead’s a men’s Bible and jiu-jitsu group. “We talk about God, we train hard, and we show up for each other”. He says “If I can’t talk to these guys when I’m struggling, I’m not safe. No shame, no secrets—just truth and accountability”.

Recovery for Men: Stop Suffering in Silence

Most recovery spaces online are women-dominated. Why? Because women are more likely to talk.

Men? We suffer in silence and call it strength. It’s not.

You need people. You need to talk. If you don’t, relapse is waiting.

From Addiction to Ministry

Ricky mentioned he doesn’t just want to stay sober, he wants to help others walk this path too. Since his heart surgery, he’s leaned fully into faith and ministry. He’s helping men break chains, not just bottles.

He does this on Instagram, in his church, through coaching, by sharing his story any way he can. 

A Few Hard Truths Ricky Has Learned (So You Don’t Have To)

Myth Truth

“I can handle a drink or two.” You can’t. If you’re here reading this, you already know it.

“Functional alcoholics don’t need help.” They do. Desperately.

“Rehab once is enough.” Maybe. But relapse doesn’t mean failure—it means recalibration.

“Sobriety is boring.” Sobriety is clarity, freedom, and life.

“Addiction is just alcohol.” It’s food. Pills. Porn. Whatever you use to numb pain.

Final Word: Help Someone or Be Helped

If this story has reached you, maybe you're the one who needs help. Or maybe you’re the one meant to help someone else.

Either way—don’t go it alone.

✔️ Make a plan

✔️ Stay accountable

✔️ Build your circle

✔️ Share your story

✔️ Serve others as you serve yourself

Sobriety is possible. It’s messy. It’s painful. But it’s worth every minute of it.

Ready for Your Reset from Alcohol?

If this story resonated, don’t wait for another rock bottom. Get help, get honest, and get moving.

👉Qutting Alcohol? 1:1 Sober Coaching. https://shop.beacons.ai/soberstrong/sobercoaching

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