ABC news anchor and ’20/20′ host Elizabeth Vargas returned to television Friday for an interview with George Stephanopoulos, her first appearance following a stint in rehab for alcoholism.
The journalist, 51, said during the pre-taped segment, “I am an alcoholic. It took me a long time to admit that to myself and to admit it to my family, but I am.”
Vargas departed her post at ABC in November and checked into a treatment facility. A month later, she bravely announced on Twitter, “Hello everyone! I am home, and so grateful for all your support and well wishes. I am so much better and taking it one day at a time.”
She left rehab after 28 days, against her doctor’s recommendation, and ended up returning for more treatment after only five days. The second stint left her in better stead to cope with her new reality.
She recalled that her husband, Marc Cohn, repeatedly insisted she had a drinking problem and needed help. It finally sunk in when she found herself “in no shape” to do an interview one day.
The television journalist recalled, “It’s so lonely because you can’t tell anyone what’s happening. I spent most of my childhood having almost daily panic attacks. As an adult I dealt with a great deal of anxiety and stress by starting to drink.”
The mother of two, Zachary, 10, and Samuel, 7, said emphatically, “That’s exhausting to live like that. And it becomes very easy to think ‘I deserve this glass of wine. I’m so stressed out.'”
Vargas now leans on her family when she is stressed out and also relies on AA meetings and her sponsor. She acknowledged, “I’m learning to accept that I’m human and there is nothing wrong with failing, that there’s nothing wrong with feeling anxiety.”
She ended the sit down by stating, “You know, this isn’t what I want to to be known for, but I’m really proud of what I did. Alcohol for me is no longer an option.”
Check out the interview that aired last night on 20/20:
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