‘Below Deck Med’: Captain Sandy Reaches Out to Those Struggling With Their Sobriety During the Pandemic – Showbiz Cheat Sheet

Captain Sandy Yawn from Below Deck Mediterranean acknowledges that stressful situations like the coronavirus pandemic can be especially triggering for people in recovery from addiction.

Yawn posted a video on Instagram where she reached out to those who may be struggling right now. I just want to share with a lot of you, who have stopped drinking. If youre struggling theres meetings you can go to online, she said.

Theres a link on myFacebook page, she said. I struggle too. It certainly crossed my mind. This is so stressful. In my lifetime, I have never experienced anything like this. I keep trying to find the positive. I cant turn the news on anymore. Oh my gosh, youd think its Armageddon.

If youre struggling and you need some support, Ill leave you a message, she added. Yawn said people could send her a direct message but asked them to be patient as she might not be able to respond immediately.

Yawn said people in recovery are especially vulnerable during a pandemic or other highly stressful situation. Obviously, its in you, Yawn told Showbiz Cheat Sheet. What do people do when its stressful? A lot of people take a drink. So many people relax by drinking a glass of wine or here in Denver smoking pot or having some edibles, right?

I dont have that luxury, she continued. Because I have it in my genes. Im an addict, an alcoholic. I have to exercise, go to meetings. And know that this will pass. This too shall pass. Thats what I keep saying to myself. I call my sponsor, I stay engaged with people in recovery. And its hard, its a struggle.

She disclosed that even though shes been in recovery for decades, she still thinks about drinking.

The other day, it crossed my mind, she shared. Im not kidding you. When theres nothing else to do I said to Leah [Shafer], You know what I would do today? Id be in a bar, playing pool, listening to the jukebox, getting smashed. Hammered. If there was a problem, I would drink. Its like you go in to fix it [with drugs or alcohol] but you come out and the problem is still there.

Yawn knows that many people are self-medicating during the pandemic. I just want to say, you dont have to [self-medicate with drugs and alcohol]. Instead, do the things that youve always wanted to learn, she suggested. Like, I want to learn to play the piano. Leah bought me this keyboard and Ive been playing that.

And between doing my taxes and the social media, just ramp it up because I want to be there for the people who obviously watch our show. I had thousands of messages. I cant keep up.

I just want people to know they are not alone, she added. Im not an introvert, Im an extrovert. So its hard for me to not be around people. Which makes it even harder.

Yawn suggests that attending an online meeting, or even a meeting in person where they are practicing social distancing, can help. Alcoholics Anonymous has a meeting locator guide here. They also have 24-hour meetings at the clubhouses and dont close, she adds. You can go online, its 24/7.

Yawn is also a big believer in exercise. She acknowledges that a number of gyms are closed but says there are ways to still work out. My friend Randi posted the quarantine workout sheet! So yeah, you can go online and print anything. Do push-ups. I do the burpees and lunges and situps. Another option is to check out an online streaming fitness platform likeNEOU. The fitness app features Andy Cohens trainer and many more.

Finally, Yawn had a message about fear. I decide how I think, she said. It isnt a force in my mind. If I read something or hear something, I decide. Its up to me. I choose to live in faith and not fear.

How to get help: In the U.S., contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration helpline at 1-800-662-4357.

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'Below Deck Med': Captain Sandy Reaches Out to Those Struggling With Their Sobriety During the Pandemic - Showbiz Cheat Sheet