Elizabeth Vargas Rehab: '20/20' Host Dealing With Addiction 'One Day at a Time'
ABC's "20/20" host Elizabeth Vargas revealed this week that she is currently in rehab for alcohol abuse. The 51-year-old host issued a statement explaining why she had been missing from the series and offering her hope that others in need would receive help.
"Like so many people, I am dealing with addiction," Vargas wrote in a statement. "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."
Vargas has been with ABC since 1996 and originally worked for ABC News on "World News Tonight," where it was believed that she would take over for Peter Jennings when he passed away in 2005. She took over hosting "20/20" in late 2006. Vargas is an award-winning journalist who took home an Emmy Award in 1999 for coverage of the Elian Gonzalez story.
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In 2002, Vargas married singer-songwriter Marc Cohn, who is perhaps most famous for the song "Walking in Memphis." The couple has two children: Zachary Raphael Cohn and Samuel Wyatt Cohn. She is the stepmother to Cohn's two children from a previous marriage, Max and Emily.
ABC News issued a statement of great support for her recovery and said that Vargas will be back hosting "20/20" when she is finished with treatment.
"We are proud of the steps Elizabeth has taken and are pulling for her recovery," the official statement read.
Fans have also offered their support to Vargas as she seeks treatment.
"Praying for you!" tweeted Robert C Flores.
"Wow! Woek up to news that Elizabeth Vargas is in rehab. Good for @EVargasABC! And kudos to @ABC for supporting her sobriety!" added Mary Kathryn Wood.
