ABC Anchor Elizabeth Vargas Admits That She's an Alcoholic

Credit: ABC

After checking herself into rehab back in November, 20/20 anchor Elizabeth Vargas has returned to work and admitted to herself (and the world) that she's an alcoholic.

In an interview on Good Morning America today (Jan. 24), Vargas told George Stephanopoulos, "I am an alcoholic. 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," she added. "Even to admit it to myself was admitting, I thought, that I was a failure."

As for how she came to the point where she checked into rehab in the first place? Vargas explained, "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."

The anchor -- who would often do stories about problems with alcohol -- said the last straw for her was when she came in for an interview and just realized she couldn't do it any longer, which is when she entered rehab.

"I have a sponsor. I have great, great friends who I love and who love me," she concluded of the place she's in now. "Alcohol for me is no longer an option."

Vargas will return to her old job tonight.