“I would die for my children, but I couldn’t stop drinking for my children. I don’t know if I will ever forgive myself for hurting my children through drinking.” – Elizabeth Vargas
Elizabeth Anne Vargas (television journalist) a.k.a. Elizabeth Vargas
Known for:
- ABC’s television network news magazine 20/20 – anchor
- ABC News World News Tonight – anchor
- NBC television network Dateline NBC – correspondent
Elizabeth Vargas, mother to sons, Sam and Zach, has struggled with alcohol addiction for a decade. What started as social drinking, soon escalated into full blown addiction. She reports that the combination of the severe anxiety she has suffered since she was a little girl, stress at work, and an unhappy marriage led her to a life of alcohol abuse. As a functioning alcoholic, she was able to hide her alcoholism from many, sometimes drinking on a nightly basis.
In July of 2012, drunk and unconscious, she was admitted into a hospital with blood alcohol level of 0.4.
She entered a rehabilitation program on three different occasions
- in 2012 in Utah
- in 2013 in Tennessee (after which she returned to drinking 4 days later)
- in 2014 in California
Although she has relapsed many times in the past, she is currently 2 years sober and on her road to recovery.
Embed from Getty Images“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.”- Elizabeth Vargas
