“20/20” co-anchor Elizabeth Vargas is in a treatment facility for alcohol abuse, the Daily news reports.
“Like so many people, I am dealing with addiction,” Vargas says 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.”
Vargas, who has been with ABC since 1996, has been in treatment for a few weeks and will be in rehab for a few more.
“We are proud of the steps Elizabeth has taken and are pulling for her recovery,” an ABC spokesman says. “We look forward to having her back home at ABC News where she has done so much distinguished work over the years. Elizabeth is a member of our family and we will support her in every way we can.”
Vargas co-anchors “20/20” alongside David Muir and she often filled in for Robin Roberts on “Good Morning America” when Roberts was on medical leave for her bone marrow transplant. In January 2006, she was paired with Bob Woodruff to co-anchor “World News Tonight.” That was cut short when Woodruff was seriously injured while on assignment in Iraq.
“Like so many others, I will deal with this challenge one day at a time,” says Vargas. “If coming forward today gives one other person the courage to seek help, I’m grateful.”