ABC News anchor Elizabeth Vargas has checked into a treatment facility to deal with alcohol addiction, reports the New York Daily News. Vargas, who has been missing from the "20/20" program for the past few weeks, confirmed to the newspaper that she was in rehab, saying that she is one of the many Americans who are struggling with substance abuse.
"I realized I was becoming increasingly dependent on alcohol," Vargas said in a published statement. "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."
Vargas told the Daily News that she has been in treatment for a few weeks and will be there some time longer before returning home.
A spokesperson for ABC said that the network is behind Vargas and pulling for her to make a full recovery.
While it is fortunate that Vargas was able to recognize that she needed help with a substance abuse problem, this is not the case for everyone. It is sometimes difficult for an addict to see that they are hurting themselves and the people around them. This is why it is imperative for family and friends to be on the alert for signs of addiction and be willing to step in to deal with the problem before it gets worse.
If you need help convincing a loved one to enter a treatment program, contact Intervention Services today.