David Sterling Frank 33 9 / 3 / 2016 • Sober Nation

Name: David Sterling Frank

Age: 33

Sober Since: 20 / 6 / 9/03

Sober For: 7 Years & 235 Days

What it was like?

Being only 33 and owning 4 bars & nightclubs in Austin, Texas is suppose to be every guys dream right? Making lots of money, surrounded by beautiful women and getting to party all the time... sounds like paradise. Well for awhile it was. I had everything I ever wanted and I had worked my butt off to get there. But somewhere between the late nights and loud music, I managed to slip away and lose myself. The party that I was once controlling, was now controlling me. I was drinking excessively and blacking out every weekend. I found myself using drugs to help keep the party going and most mornings I would wake up in random places, often covered in blood, vomit or even sometimes urine. I was one of the most successful entrepreneurs in Austin's bar & nightclub industry and I was slowing killing myself and I had an audience watching me do so.

What happened?

One night in Late August I went out with some clients and friends to one of my clubs downtown. I remember drinking and laughing and having a really great time; but that was the last thing I remember. The next day I woke up bloody and beaten in the hospital with no recollection of what had happened the night before. I wish I could say this was the first time this had happened but sadly it wasn't. I knew it was only a matter of time before something happened where I wasn't going to wake up. I knew that I needed to quit and I knew it wasn't going to be easy. My entire life and livelihood were in my bars... How was I going to quit and where would I even start? So I did the only thing I could think of... I prayed.

What it is like now?

It's hard to describe the feeling of being sober; It's almost like being reborn again. Everything feels so new and amazing. The happiness that goes through my body every day is stronger than any high I've ever experienced. The love and gratitude I feel for my family, friends & God is a love that I was never capable of giving until now. I feel whole again... I feel again. And it's the most wonderful gift I've ever been able to give myself.