Elizabeth Vargas Returning to Alcohol Rehab
Elizabeth Vargas is returning to alcohol rehabilitation for further assistance and treatment.
Vargas, 51, and ABC News both released statements today regarding her return. Vargas said, “While on vacation this weekend, I decided to return to a recovery center. As so many other recovering alcoholics know, overcoming the disease can be a long and incredibly difficult process. I feel I have let myself, my co-workers and most importantly my family down and for that I am ashamed and sorry. I am committed to battling and addressing this debilitating disease and want to thank everyone who has offered their unwavering support during this trying time,” reports the New York Daily News.
“Nothing is more important than Elizabeth’s health and well-being and we stand squarely behind her,” ABC News rep Julie Townsend said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with Elizabeth and her family and we look forward to having her back at ABC News when she feels ready to return.”
Vargas has been with ABC since 1996. She was with NBC from 1993 until 1996.
Vargas had entered an recovery treatment center in November of last year. It was during this time that her estranged husband, singer/songwriter Marc Cohn, allegedly had an extramarital affair. The couple are currently involved in divorce proceedings. They have two children.
After her last stint in the recovery center, Vargas spoke during a most candid interview with “Good Morning America” correspondent George Stephanopolous. “I am an alcoholic,” she said. “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. The amount of energy I expended keeping that secret and keeping this problem hidden from view was exhausting. Even to admit it to myself was admitting, I thought, that I was a failure,” calling her drinking a “staggering burden” to carry. “You become so isolated with the secret and so lonely, because you can’t tell anyone what’s happening,” she said.
The Miami Herald is reporting that Vargas is currently in an unnamed inpatient program, The length of her stay will be determined by both her and her doctors,said a person familiar with the situation. That person, who couldn’t speak publicly, spoke on condition of anonymity.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, On Aug. 11, Vargas referenced addiction in her tweet about Robin Williams’ suicide. “I am so sad for Robin — and his fight with addiction,” she wrote. “My heart goes out to his wife and kids.” The next day, when someone on Twitter wished Vargas luck in her own fight with addiction, she replied: “Thanks! It really is one day at a time.”
