Admitting you need help takes a lot of courage, so we’re very happy that ABC anchor Elizabeth Vargas, 51, took the steps needed to take control of her alcoholism. The talented journalist admitted in a new interview that while it took her “a long time” to realize she had a problem, she was finally able to cut through the excuses she had been making for herself and seek treatment. “I’m really proud of what I did,” Elizabeth told George Stephanopoulos on Good Morning America.
Elizabeth Vargas An ‘Alcoholic’ — ABC Anchor Confesses Her Alcohol Problem
Elizabeth began her GMA interview with some very powerful words: ”I am. I am an alcoholic,” she told George.
“It took me a long time to admit that to myself. It took me a long time to admit it to my family, but I am,” she added bravely. ”The amount of energy I expended keeping that secret and keeping this problem hidden from view was exhausting.”
Even though Elizabeth had done 20/20 specials about alcoholism in the past, she failed to realize that she herself suffered from the disease until it began to affect her work. She found herself constantly trying to make deals with herself about her drinking habits.
“I started thinking ‘Well, you know, I’ll only drink, you know, on weekends. I’ll only drink, you know, two glasses of wine a night. I won’t drink on nights before I have to get up and do ‘Good Morning America.’ But those deals never work.”
Elizabeth, who completed two stints in rehab in November, is ready to return to work, and she believes she’s prepared to cope with the day-to-day anxieties that drove her to drink.
“I dealt with that anxiety, and with the stress that the anxiety brought by starting to drink. And it slowly escalated and got worse and worse.”
But now she is a proud AA member, who knows that she doesn’t have to be “perfect” to be happy.
“I have a sponsor. I have great, great friends who I love and who love me. Alcohol for me is no longer an option,” she said firmly.
ABC Anchor Elizabeth Vargas Enters Rehab For Alcohol Addiction
When Elizabeth checked into rehab in November, she made a public statement thanking her fans, family, and network for their support.
“Like so many people, I am dealing with addiction,” she confirmed. “I realized I was becoming increasingly dependent on alcohol, and feel fortunate to have recognized it for the problem it was becoming. I am in treatment and am so thankful for the love and support of my family, friends and colleagues at ABC News. Like so many others, I will deal with this challenge one day at a time. If coming forward today gives one other person the courage to seek help, I’m grateful.”
Elizabeth Vargas COMPLETE BIO DATA
Journalist
Elizabeth Vargas is an American television journalist who is anchor of ABC's television newsmagazine 20/20 and ABC News specials. She was previously an anchor of World News
Tonight. Wikipedia
Born: September 6, 1962 (age 51), Paterson, New Jersey, United States
Nationality: American
Spouse: Marc Cohn (m. 2002)
Education: University of Missouri–Columbia
Movies and TV shows: 20/20, ABC World News, ABC 2000 Today, 20/20 Downtown, Resurrection: A Search for Answers
Awards: News & Documentary Emmy Award for Outstanding News and Documentary Program
Achievement - Programs & Segments, More
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