PDF Summary:Between Breaths, by Elizabeth Vargas

In Between Breaths, Elizabeth Vargas shares her lifelong battle with crippling anxiety and the alcohol addiction that emerged as she sought ways to cope. For years, she hid her struggles from colleagues and loved ones—her shame fueled by the pressures of a career in broadcast journalism and the fear of being perceived as inadequate.

Vargas takes readers through her journey of rehab and relapse, divorce and public fallout, and ultimately the hard-won healing of accepting her anxiety and finding freedom through sobriety. Her candid memoir sheds light on the isolation of addiction, while offering hope to anyone battling their own demons.

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Elizabeth Vargas concealed her battle with alcohol addiction from friends and colleagues, ashamed of her lack of control over her drinking habits.

Driven by shame and fear, Vargas continued to hide her escalating alcohol use from those around her. The author describes her covert efforts to keep her drinking habits hidden, which included subtly consuming alcohol during work-related travel and carefully hiding any signs of her consumption afterward. Vargas feared that revealing her struggle with addiction might destroy the carefully crafted persona of an elegant and successful journalist, potentially bringing an end to her career. Elizabeth Vargas's path to sobriety was a lengthy one, and her relationships with family and friends became tense as she continued to conceal her battles.

Elizabeth Vargas's battle with addiction to alcohol deeply impacted her familial ties and her relationship with her partner.

Elizabeth Vargas's battle with addiction to alcohol put a considerable strain on her marriage, resulting in her husband experiencing escalating exasperation and a decline in confidence.

Elizabeth Vargas's dependency on alcohol put a considerable strain on her marital relationship. Her husband initially showed support but over time grew increasingly concerned and frustrated by her patterns of drinking. He attempted to resolve the problem, yet his efforts only led to more hostility and refusal, which intensified their estrangement. Marc's concern gradually morphed into frustration and a growing sense of bitterness as Elizabeth Vargas's battle with alcoholism intensified.

Elizabeth Vargas's escalating alcohol consumption led to a deterioration in her relationship with Marc, resulting in growing emotional estrangement and accumulating resentment.

Vargas's dependence on alcohol grew stronger, resulting in a steady deterioration of her relationship with Marc. They grew distant, communicating less, and often arguing about her drinking. The author recounts the evolution of their relationship from a nurturing bond to a tense cohabitation characterized by exasperation and an increasing absence of closeness. Vargas's dependence on alcohol to numb her feelings impeded the development of a deeper bond and the settling of important issues in her relationship with her spouse, Marc.

Elizabeth Vargas's battle with addiction caused her to miss important family gatherings and put a strain on her relationship with her two young sons.

Elizabeth Vargas's battle against alcoholism not only put a strain on her marital relationship but also impacted her connection with her two young sons. Elizabeth Vargas candidly shares that her alcohol consumption led to missed chances to read bedtime stories, attend school functions, and enjoy family holidays with her children. Vargas recounts a heartbreaking incident during a family trip to Florida where she was drunk and holed up in her hotel room, unable to enjoy her son Sam's company. Elizabeth Vargas's struggle with addiction had a significant impact on her loved ones, a fact that is underscored by this and many other events.

Vargas's alcoholism ultimately led to the end of her marriage, as Marc had an affair and left Vargas, devastating her.

Elizabeth Vargas's enduring struggle with personal demons eventually resulted in the end of her union with Marc. Marc, feeling betrayed and wounded by her persistent alcohol use, engaged in an extramarital relationship and eventually exited their shared existence. The story chronicles the intense turmoil she endured as her marriage ended and her painful acceptance of the part she played in its collapse. Vargas grappled with the disintegration of her marriage, a consequence of her struggle with alcoholism, which plunged her into a state of despair and presented her with the daunting task of raising her two sons alone.

Vargas was heartbroken by the dissolution of her marriage, and the ensuing turmoil within her family circle led to additional instances in which she once again turned to drinking.

The book chronicles how her drinking habits escalated, exacerbated by the anguish and hardship from her divorce, leading to numerous relapses in her pursuit of maintaining sobriety. The emotional turmoil of the separation, along with the legal battles to dissolve her marriage and the adjustments required for single parenthood, became overwhelming. Vargas found solace in alcohol, using it as a means to soothe her pain and escape the intense anxiety that plagued her.

Elizabeth Vargas was deeply regretful for the pain her drinking caused her children and the damage it did to her family.

Elizabeth Vargas was profoundly affected by the distress she inflicted upon her children and the damage her family endured due to her battle with addiction. The book details the strenuous efforts made by Vargas to repair the bond with her sons, ensuring they felt loved and to reestablish their confidence in her. She harbored deep regret for her absence at important family gatherings and for the distress she inflicted on her loved ones. Driven by profound remorse and a sense of dishonor, Elizabeth Vargas diligently embarked on her journey to sobriety, committed to rebuilding her life and making amends for previous mistakes.

Her path led her through a process of rehabilitation and healing.

Vargas engaged in numerous attempts at recovery, attending a series of treatments at a renowned rehabilitation facility, but initially struggled to achieve sustained sobriety.

Elizabeth Vargas encountered numerous challenges on her journey to sobriety, including several periods of rehabilitation and significant obstacles. The author portrays her early efforts to obtain assistance as tentative and secretive, marked by a profound sense of embarrassment. The book highlights specific elements of her two stays at a Utah-based rehabilitation center, known for its private care of celebrities and other prominent individuals struggling with addiction. These early attempts at recovery were, unfortunately, short-lived.

Vargas would initially find success in rehab, only to relapse after returning home to the stresses of her daily life.

Vargas shares her story, highlighting her success in the structured environment of recovery, yet acknowledging the difficulties she faced in maintaining her abstinence amidst the temptations and stresses of daily life. The author highlights the difficulties in resuming everyday routines following extensive treatment, particularly in dealing with triggers and stress without falling back on alcohol. Elizabeth Vargas's narrative underscores the cyclical nature of addiction, recognizing that the path to healing often includes setbacks.

Elizabeth Vargas found the path to sobriety challenging, especially when it came to recognizing her inability to control her alcohol consumption.

During the early stages of her rehabilitation, Vargas struggled to understand the principles of the 12-step program, particularly the concept of acknowledging her inability to regulate her consumption of alcohol. The memoir chronicles Vargas's struggle to accept the label of "an alcoholic" and her unwavering belief that she could regain control over her drinking. Her reluctance, driven by denial and the dread of relinquishing power, delayed her full dedication to the program and thus deferred her journey toward enduring sobriety.

Elizabeth Vargas found lasting freedom from her addictions through intensive self-reflection, forming bonds with fellow sobriety seekers, and renewing her faith in a greater force.

Vargas attained enduring sobriety through comprehensive treatment and the support of others who were also striving to overcome addiction, bolstered by her personal spiritual beliefs. The author describes a critical point in Vargas's path to recovery that occurred during her third time in a rehabilitation facility situated in Tennessee. She eventually began to address the deeper problems underlying her addiction to alcohol, which encompassed a past filled with traumatic experiences and a persistent struggle with anxious feelings. Elizabeth Vargas found solace and strength in realizing that her path to conquering alcohol addiction was an odyssey she shared with numerous individuals.

Vargas collaborated with a coach named Polly, specializing in rehabilitation, who assisted her in addressing the fundamental concerns at the root of her alcoholism, such as her enduring anxiety.

Elizabeth Vargas found her journey to sobriety profoundly influenced by the mentorship of a recovery coach named Polly, whom she encountered through someone she knew in Malibu. Polly provided Vargas with the essential guidance, support, and accountability she needed to sustain her sobriety, herself having been sober for almost twenty-five years. The author describes how Polly helped Vargas confront the deeper psychological and emotional issues fueling her addiction, including her chronic anxiety and the unresolved trauma of her childhood. Polly underscored the necessity of confronting these challenges, not to justify alcohol consumption, but as a crucial phase in escaping the entrapment of substance dependence.

Vargas adopted practices like meditation and developed daily lists expressing thankfulness to manage her anxiety, avoiding dependence on alcohol and other substances.

In her journey to recovery, Vargas discovered that, coupled with meditation, prayer played a crucial role in her ability to control anxiety without resorting to alcohol. Vargas found inner tranquility and a renewed dedication to her spiritual beliefs through daily meditation, which also fostered her bond with a greater existence beyond her individual self. Vargas emphasizes how these practices were pivotal in aiding her to alter her viewpoint and discover comfort through quiet contemplation.

Elizabeth Vargas overcame numerous challenges, including repeated relapses, on her journey to sobriety; nevertheless, she emerged victorious, repairing the parts of her existence that suffered due to her addiction to alcohol.

Elizabeth Vargas faced a series of challenging setbacks and difficulties on her path to overcoming addiction, characterized by profound periods of intense distress and adversity. The author candidly addresses the obstacles she encountered, along with the deep regret and shame she experienced when she came to understand the distress she had caused her family and friends. She poignantly expresses deep remorse for letting alcohol lead to her absence during crucial moments in the lives of her children and endanger her relationships with family and friends. Despite encountering numerous obstacles, Vargas found the resilience to continue, bolstered by the encouragement of those around her and a deepening sense of spirituality. She recognized that the journey to remain sober required a steadfast commitment, demanding constant daily effort and continuous vigilance.

Vargas faced the persistent risk of losing her position at ABC News due to her drinking habits, but she was given one last chance which she determined to make the most of.

The memoir details how her battle with alcohol addiction affected her professional life. Despite facing dismissal from her role at ABC, she was ultimately granted a final chance to prove her commitment to sobriety and her dedication to her career. Vargas seized this critical opportunity to confront the seriousness of her dependency and to recognize the consequences of her actions. Elizabeth Vargas' story highlights the considerable obstacles she faced as a well-known individual dealing with a deeply stigmatized issue, and the courage it took to seek help and rebuild her life.

Vargas worked diligently to mend her relationship with her family, especially her sons, aiming to rebuild their trust while she mastered the art of forgiving herself.

Elizabeth Vargas undertook a crucial path toward recovery from addiction, a process that involved making amends with her loved ones, especially her offspring. The author describes her efforts to rebuild trust and repair the damage caused by her drinking. Vargas always prioritized the well-being of her son, ensuring she was a constant and attentive mother who consistently demonstrated unwavering support and encouragement. She initiated the challenging journey toward self-forgiveness, acknowledging that although the past was unchangeable, she could draw lessons from her errors and make wiser decisions now.