Elizabeth Vargas

“Anxiety is the gas pedal, and alcohol is the brake. And I was using the brake too much.”

“Shame is a liar.”

“Secrets live in darkness. I felt like I was telling a secret for a long time.”

“The opposite of addiction isn't sobriety. It's connection.”

“You can't get sober for your kids. You have to do it for you.”

“I really believed I could control it. I think that's the big 'a-ha' moment for every alcoholic: when you realize you can't.”

“Addiction is a disease of isolation. All of a sudden you are all alone.”

“Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.”

“You are as sick as your secrets. And the minute I started talking about it, I got better.”

“I am a work in progress. And I am O.K. with that.”

“It took me a long time to admit that I was an alcoholic. I was in denial for a very long time.”

“Forgiveness is a big part of recovery.”

“I'm not the only one. I think it's important for me to say that.”

“There is a huge amount of shame attached to watching your own child go through addiction.”