Elizabeth Vargas: 'I Am. I Am an Alcoholic,' Says ABC News Anchor

In an appearance on "Good Morning America" today, "20/20" anchor Elizabeth Vargas acknowledged she was an alcoholic and said hiding her problem had been "exhausting."

"I am. I am an alcoholic," Vargas told "GMA" co-anchor George Stephanopoulos in interview that was taped Thursday and aired for the first time today. "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," Vargas said, adding that she had done hour-long "20/20" specials on drinking but couldn't acknowledge she had a problem.

"Even to admit it to myself was admitting, I thought, that I was a failure," Vargas, who has anchored on "GMA," said.

"I started thinking 'Well, you know, I'll only drink, you know, on weekends," she said, laughing. "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."

Vargas sought treatment in rehab last fall, and said she's ready to return to the air tonight on "20/20."

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