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Braunwyn Windham-Burke Reveals Drinking “Was Going to Be the Death of Me”  

In a new interview with CelebWell, the Real Housewives star tells all about her addiction issues.

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Leah Groth
By Leah GrothMar 03, 2022
Leah Groth
Writer, Editor, and Content Creator
Leah Groth has decades of experience covering all things health, wellness and fitness related.
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Braunwyn Windham-Burke is opening up about her struggles with alcoholism. The Real Housewives of Orange County alum recently discussed her battle with the bottle in an interview with CelebWell, revealing that her disease likely would have killed her if she hadn’t made the decision to get sober. Read on to hear about Braunwyn Windham-Burke’s alcoholism battle and find out what to do if you think you have a drinking problem.

1. RHOC Helped Her Be Accountable with Her Disease

4th Annual Vanderpump Dog Foundation GalaTibrina Hobson/Getty Images

Braunwyn, who left the Real Housewives of Orange County in 2021, reveals that being on the show helped her recognize her disease. “I’ve known for a long time that my drinking wasn’t the same as other people's,” she says. Like many alcoholics, relapse was part of her recovery. “Every time I relapsed, I hit bottom quicker. I was losing the parts of me that mattered. This time, something was different, and I believe being on the tv show helped me keep me accountable in my sobriety. I am proud to be two years sober, one day at a time,” she says.

2. If She Continued to Drink, She Would Have Died

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Braunwyn was faced with a decision: Live as a sober woman or die as a drunk. “For me, getting sober was a clear cut choice. I knew if I continued to drink it was going to be the death of me, and I didn’t want to repeat my dad’s mistakes and leave my children without a parent,” she says.

3. The Sober Community Helps Her “One Day at a Time”

2019 BravoCon Opening NightArturo Holmes/WireImage

The secret to Braunwyn’s sobriety is staying active in the sober community. “I live by the motto 'one day at a time'—sometimes even one minute at a time,” she says. “I now ask for help. When I’m at my low points, I pick up the phone. Community is the most important part of sobriety.”

4. Sobriety Has Transformed Her Life

Braunwyn Windham-Burke Visits ExtraNoel Vasquez/Getty Images

How has sobriety changed Braunwyn’s life? “It has transformed my life in every single way,” she maintains. “From my relationships with my family and friends, to myself. I made a vision board of what I want in my life and it’s coming true. However, that doesn’t always mean it’s easy. It’s admitting when you’re wrong, it’s being accountable, it’s relearning, recouping, and re-emerging.”

5. ”If You Think You Might Have a Problem with Alcohol, You Probably Do”

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Braunwyn has a message for anyone struggling with their drinking. “If you think you might have a problem with alcohol, you probably do. Step one would be being honest with yourself. Get real, and don’t drink for that day. Don’t even overthink it- there’s never a good time to quit drinking. Right now is the best time. And always ask for help,” she says. If you think you may have a problem with alcoholism, visit the Alcoholics Anonymous website for more resources or contact your medical practitioner or mental health provider immediately.

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