Y&R Recap August 12: Nick Newman Hits Rock Bottom

Here's your recap for The Young and the Restless episode, Wednesday, August 12, 2026, as Nick Newman hit rock bottom, while Nate and Devon explored new beginnings.

The New School

Abby expressed her fears to Devon at Society | Image: CBS

Abby let Devon know at Society that Dominic had fallen asleep, per Lucy, and therefore they didn't have to rush home. Abby said that she was happy to see Devon so excited about creating a school in Neil's honor. Devon said that Lily and Nate could run Winters. They had nothing to worry about.

Devon said that he'd still be helping out at work. Abby wondered about Devon's music clients. He said he'd still help them and pointed out that he'd help more musicians at his school. Devon asked Abby what she didn't love about his new venture. Abby said there was the fear of change. Devon said this change would be better. He'd have more time with Abby and Dominic at home. Devon wasn't sure why Abby was crying. She revealed that she feared that she had lost him forever.

Medical Miracle

Lily asked Nate how serious he was about returning to medicine. He asked her what she thought. Lily said it's been an interesting night. First, Devon wants to open a college, and now, this. Lily pointed out that business wasn't Nate's passion. Nate said he wouldn't go anywhere and do that to Lily on top of Devon leaving.

Lily said that if Devon hadn't shared his news, then they'd be planning Nate's farewell party. Nate said that Malcolm's health crisis made him realize why he wanted to go into medicine and to help people. No business deal could compare to that. Lily assured Nate that she could run the company alone. He needed to follow her path as she was following hers.

Nate brought up Chancellor Industries. He wanted to know if Lily wanted to go back there now that she owned it again. Lily said that Cane was running Chancellor, and she would be busy at Winters. Lily said that Nate would not hold his dreams back for her. Nate shrugged it off. Nate said that he wanted to work at Genoa City Memorial in the operating room. He wanted to be a surgeon again.

Lily wondered how Nate could be a surgeon after his injury. Nate said that Stephanie referred him to a specialist who could repair the damage. Nate said that he'd have to give it 100% if the surgery worked and Nate returned to medicine.

Lily informed Nate that she was going to run Chancellor alone. She'd fire him if he didn't leave on his own. Lily said that Neil would want him to follow his heart. She wants Nate to go for it.

Devon got a text from Nate. He wanted to see him. Nate welcomed Devon to his apartment. Nate said that Devon creating a school in Neil's name was inspiring. Devon said that he'd always felt terrible that he'd caused Nate's injuries. He'd pay for expert surgeons to help repair the damage. Nate and Devon hugged it out.

Meanwhile, Lily met with Cane and shared the news about Devon and Nate moving on to new chapters. Lily said that it was going to be weird. Cane asked to say something. Cane wondered if there was going to be a change for him. He said he'd be okay with Lily wanting to take over Chancellor. He'd gladly step aside. Lily said that she'd stay at Winters, and Cane would stay at Chancellor Industries.

Jack and Diane

At the Genoa City Athletic Club, Diane suggested a nice, relaxing dinner to Jack. They ran into Cane. Jack made a dig at Cane about taking a job from his ex-wife.

Jack reminded Cane that they almost lost everything because of the course of events he set into motion. Cane said that he offered Billy a job at Chancellor Industries. Jack wasn't happy, as that company has been an obsession. Cane revealed that Billy was going on a wild goose chase at Chancellor. Cane added that if Billy were using his new job to unearth something at Chancellor, then he would run out of patience.

Next, Diane and Jack ran into Devon and Abby at Society. Abby hugged her uncle. Jack said that he was doing great. Jack said that he and Diane had made it through, and they were back together. Abby told Jack that his money was no good there and whatever they ordered would be on the house.

Diane and Jack talked about Billy going after a secret at Chancellor. Diane suspected that Billy was right. She suggested that Chancellor Industries is like a drug to Billy. Jack updated Diane that Nick may have checked out of rehab and didn't come back. Diane remarked that Jack's bestie Nikki told him about Nick's drug problem.

Jack said that he offered to be Nick's sponsor. Diane wanted to know why he didn't tell her about that. Jack said that Diane didn't tell him that Billy had a new job. Jack pointed out that Nikki and Victor were back in love and vacationing in Italy. Diane asked if Nikki could be a bigger fool. Diane couldn't believe that Nikki went back to Victor. "It's pathetic, Jack," Diane said.

Diane shared that she was glad Nikki got her sight back, but that Victor was a monster. Diane added that Nikki was not a good friend. Jack said he didn't want to talk about them for the rest of the night. Diane agreed on that. "I will let it go for now," she said.

Diane wondered if Nick would be okay. Jack said he'd have a long road ahead of him. Jack said that he had his share of false starts until he asked himself do I get off the stuff or do I die? He hoped that Nick would make the right choice.

Motel Romp

Nick and Marie became intimate in short order | Image: CBS

In the motel room, Nick and Marie had sex. Later, Nick got out of bed and put his pants on while Marie slept. Nick stumbled a bit and went into the bathroom. He looked in the mirror and rubbed some water on his face. Nick took a look at himself.

Nick returned to bed and put a top on and zipped it up. He wrote a note to Marie, telling her that he hoped she'd find a way out of this life. He prayed that they both would. Nick started to leave. He tried to wake Marie up from her sleep. Nick felt for a pulse, but he couldn't find one.

Nick shook Marie, hoping to wake her up. Then, he began CPR on her. Marie came around. Nick wanted to take her to the hospital; she asked him to let her die. Nick refused to let that happen. Marie knocked his phone away so he couldn't call for help. Marie asked just to be left alone.

Marie didn't want Nick to call the paramedics because then her husband would be called. She couldn't deal with that. "You do you," Marie told Nick. "I don't want your help, okay?" She said that Nick was no better off than she was. Marie asked to be left out of it. She got back under the covers. Nick called for help. Later, he saw the flashing lights of an ambulance that (presumably) took Marie away.

Alone in the motel room, Nick began to cry. He called Sharon on his phone, telling her, "I'm in bad shape. I need you to come get me."