'Below Deck Mediterranean' Star Captain Sandy Yawn Celebrates 33 Years Of Sobriety!
By Mike Walters on August 31, 2021 at 5:42 PM EDT
'Below Deck' star Captain Sandy Yawn is celebrating 33 years of sobriety, and is urging fans who might be struggling with substance abuse to make a change!
The reality star announced the major accomplishment on Instagram, along with a throwback picture of herself looking very healthy and happy. "It’s been 33 years clean for me. From jails, institutions, car crashes, motorcycle accidents, hospitals, bankruptcy, heart attack & cancer. I felt like a hopeless human being, always in trouble, people turning away from me because I was so destructive," Yawn posted.
She continued, "The day finally came when I had my last drink and drug on August 29th, 1989. My life today is beyond my wildest dreams." The Bravo star included a place where anyone suffering from addiction could get help, saying, "If your suffering from addiction and want help, call the hotline and ask for help. 1-855-290-0468. God speed to you all. Today I have gratitude!"
'Below Deck' Captain Offers Help To Those Struggling With Addiction
This isn't the first time Yawn has brought fans of the massive television show in on her struggles with substance abuse. Last year, the reality star celebrated her 32nd year of sobriety and described what it was like living a healthy and sober life. "32 years clean today. Staying clean one day at a time has been an incredible journey. 32 years ago today they told me if I don’t pick up a drug or drink that I would live a life beyond my wildest dreams. That has happened and continues to happen even when times are hard., no matter what, I don’t pick up!” she wrote.
Interestingly, Captian Sandy's openness about her struggles helped another Bravo star with her own demons. 'Real Housewives Of Orange County' star Braunwyn Windham-Burke revealed recently that she reached out to the boat captain after she realized she wanted to get sober.
Captain Sandy Yawn Helps 'RHOC' Star With Alcohol Issues
“I knew Captain Sandy was sober for, like, 30 years, so I called Leah [her girlfriend] and asked if I could speak with Captain Sandy. We talked for an hour, during which time I told her what I was dealing with and asked if I could do this on film."
The 'Below Deck' star responded, "Absolutely, but you need to own it on the show. You need to be accountable, otherwise, you’re going to drink again."
“Before I could change my mind, I called my producer and said, ‘This is the truth: I’m an alcoholic. I have been for many years, and I need to get sober. Let’s tell this story," she continued. Adding, "Five days later, we started filming.”
As you can imagine, many fans of the show flooded the Captain's Instagram page to post messages of encouragement. "You’re so inspirational and an amazing leader! I’ve never seen leadership skills like yours! Thank you for paving the way for other women and showing kindness is not a weakness," one person wrote. Another added, "You’re an inspiration! I’m loving watching you on Below Deck, you’re a beautiful soul."
