American Pickers’ Frank Fritz reveals he went to rehab for alcohol problem before he was fired from the show

AMERICAN Pickers star Frank Fritz revealed he went to rehab for alcohol abuse before he was fired from the History channel show. 

Frank, 57, last appeared on American Pickers during a March 2020 episode, as he took time off to recover from back surgery before he was fired from the series last week. 

Coleman-RaynerFrank Fritz went to rehab for alcohol abuse[/caption]

Cineflix International Media LimitedThe stint came before he was fired from American Pickers[/caption]

In an exclusive interview with The Sun, Frank revealed he entered treatment for alcohol abuse at The Abbey Center in Bettendorf, Iowa for 77 days. 

Frank said: “I went to rehab and I’ve been sober now for 11 months.

“I didn’t like drinking anymore. My mom was an alcoholic and she died five years ago and it was alcohol-related. My grandfather was an alcoholic and he died. That didn’t sit well with me.”

Frank said of his time in treatment: “They gave me a lot of information and we were booked up for 13 or 14 hours a day. There was no sitting around watching TV or eating food. You were scheduled out for an hour, then an hour and half, all through the day.

“They really give you a lot of one-on-one time. I read 12 self-help books while I was there. I didn’t f**k around. I really got into it. I went there to learn and get the most out of it that I possibly could. 

“I had a great time there and I helped other people who were having problems too. It’s one of the best things that have happened to me.”

Frank continued that he goes to meetings “twice a week” after the stint.

He said: “I sit back and listen and if I get one thing out of one person, that’s enough. I have a couple of sponsors and I’m sponsoring people too.”

Frank said he would’ve been sober for a year if it weren’t for a relapse. 

He added: “It was maybe for four hours, but it was enough. The next day I went to a meeting and I got right back on track.

“I don’t think I’ll ever have a drink again because I don’t like the feeling anymore and some of the dumb things that I did.”

Frank added: “I’m feeling really good. Life is good and I’d like to get back into the swing of things. I wish I had done it five years ago, I would have been a different person.

“It was the best thing for me and I wish I had done it sooner or I wouldn’t be in the position that I am right now.

“I’d still like to get back to my job, I miss my friends and my people and being on the road and meeting all those different characters.” 

Frank also told The Sun that his nasty split from longtime girlfriend turned fiancee Diann Bankson also attributed to his decision to enter treatment. 

He explained: “The main problem was this girlfriend I had, I thought I was getting married and I bought a brand new house. Then I found out that all the time while I was on the road, she had a boyfriend back here. 

“It hurt my feelings, my self-esteem and my whole world. I gave it a good shot, I tried to drink her away. I never drank that much before.”

Frank previously told The Sun of her alleged affair: “I was going to get married, I bought a house and a big expensive ring, and then I find out my fiancée had been dating somebody else for two and a half years. 

“She’s the cheater, that’s why I got a tattoo saying ‘Once a cheater always a cheater.’ I got the tattoo two years ago just to remind myself not to make the same mistake again. She cost me six figures.”

He continued to claim: “She was cheating a lot longer than me. I had someone over at the house, but that’s all it was. She didn’t catch me in the act, it was nothing like that.

“You’d think I would have learned, she cheated each time. I don’t think she can help herself.”

But Diann told The Sun in response to his claims: “It’s not true what he’s saying. If he’s trying to make me look like the bad person of course I’m going to say it’s not true, because it’s not.

“The bottom line is that I know the truth and that’s all that matters. He’s playing the victim and it’s not true. I wasn’t cheating on him at all, I was waiting here every two weeks when he was on the road, waiting for him to get home. 

“I just want to move on because every time I think about it I get a little upset, I get hurt all over again and I can’t keep doing this. 

She concluded: “I don’t care to have drama or chaos in my life, I’m just trying to heal right now. It’s been two years, I’m ready to move on.” 

Frank last appeared on American Pickers in March 2020, as he was recovering from grueling back surgery that left him with 185 stitches and two rods in his spine. 

During his time off the show, Frank lost 65 pounds, as he is living a healthier lifestyle and is sober from alcohol.

Now that Frank’s back is “perfect” and he has remained sober, he wants to return to the History show. 

He previously told The Sun: “I would like to come back to the show. I was doing it for 11 years. I’m 100 percent recovered now and I’m ready to roll and go back on the show.”

But Frank, who has appeared on the show since 2010, revealed the network hasn’t given him a straight answer about returning, as he continued: “They talk out of both sides of their mouth. It would be like me telling you I want to go back on the show and then tomorrow going, ‘I never said that, I never said anything about that.’

“The show runner called me on my birthday on October 11 of last year and he said ‘I’ll call you back tomorrow,’ but I haven’t heard from those people at all. They don’t contact me.”

The collector added: “I don’t know if they can do it cheaper without having me on there or what the situation is. 

“I want to go back on the show, but it depends on the network. It ain’t gonna affect me one bit, but I would like to be back for my fans.”

This also comes amid his feud with longtime costar Mike Wolfe. 

Frank previously told The Sun of their falling out: “I haven’t talked to Mike in two years. He knew my back was messed up, but he didn’t call me up and ask how I was doing. That’s just how it is.

“The show is tilted towards him 1,000 percent. I can’t even bend that far down to show you how much. 

“That’s fine. It’s like you’ve got Aerosmith and there’s Steven Tyler and he’s the front man. I found my spot, I’m second and he’s number one on the show. That’s no problem with me, maybe he does have a problem.”

But last week, Mike confirmed Frank’s exit from the show.

He captioned a photo of the cast on Instagram: “I have known Frank for as long as I can remember, he’s been like a brother to me. The journey that Frank, Dani and I started back in 2009, like all of life, has come with its highs and lows, blessings and challenges, but it has also been the most rewarding.

“The support that you all have given us has been a constant reminder of what the show’s message has always been; thru these places, people, and things we all have a common thread. We’re here to not only take care of the past, but also each other.”

Mike concluded: “I will miss Frank, just like all of you, and I pray for the very best and all good things for him on the next part of his journey.”

Coleman-RaynerFrank said ‘life is good,’ as he’s been sober for 11 months[/caption]

Coleman-RaynerFrank said of American Pickers: ‘I would like to get back to my job’[/caption]

Zachary Maxwell Stertz/HistoryMike announced Frank will not be returning[/caption]