Between Breaths
A Memoir of Panic and Addiction
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4.6 • 592 Ratings
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
Beloved former ABC 20/20 anchor Elizabeth Vargas reveals her alcohol addiction and anxiety disorder in a shockingly honest and emotional memoir.
From the moment she uttered the brave and honest words, "I am an alcoholic," to interviewer George Stephanopoulos, Elizabeth Vargas began writing her story, as her experiences were still raw. Now, in Between Breaths, Vargas discusses her accounts of growing up with anxiety--which began suddenly at the age of six when her father served in Vietnam--and how she dealt with this anxiety as she came of age, eventually turning to alcohol for a release from her painful reality. The now-A&E Network reporter reveals how she found herself living in denial about the extent of her addiction, and how she kept her dependency a secret for so long. She addresses her time in rehab, her first year of sobriety, and the guilt she felt as a working mother who could never find the right balance between a career and parenting. Honest and hopeful, Between Breaths is an inspiring read. Winner of the Books for a Better Life Award in the First Book category Instant New York Times and USA Today Bestseller
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In her eye-opening memoir, World News Tonight and 20/20 coanchor Vargas chronicles a difficult and inspiring life hidden not only from the public, but from her family and friends. Vargas was an anxious child; when her father, a U.S. Army captain, was sent to Vietnam, the family moved to Okinawa. In the ensuing years Vargas lived in 14 homes, on nine army bases, and attended eight schools. Ashamed of her nervousness, she kept her unease to herself, but in spite of it she blossomed in high school, later enrolling in the journalism program at the University of Missouri and eventually climbing the ladder to a spot at NBC, moving to ABC in 1996. When she was anxious, Vargas used alcohol to calm herself, becoming a "highly functional addict," managing to keep her composure on the job whether interviewing the president of the U.S., covering the war in Iraq, or traveling to Cambodia for a story on baby trafficking. She married a Grammy Award winning singer, had two sons, and appeared to have it all. As her story develops, Vargas describes her weeks in rehab, her relapses, a frightening experience with lethal blood-alcohol content, and the transformative moment when she realizes the importance of asking for help. This gripping memoir of addiction takes readers from the highs of Vargas's successful news career to the lows of alcoholism, and through the grace of recovery.
Customer Reviews
A great visual!
I have been sober 14 years and some change. Three weeks after reaching my 13 year of sobriety, my son Landon died of a heroine overdose; November 21st 2017, He was 20. The disease of alcoholism tells us that drinking is the answers to all of our problems, conversely , our program tells us that acceptance is the answer to all of our problems. Sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. Today, and only today, some times minute by minute, I remember that I have a choice about how to cope.
Our family agreed to grant an AP journalist to write an in-depth story about our experience — the good, the bad and the ugly. It was released on January 29th 2019 and like you, I had middle of the night anxiety and panic about how it would be received and perceived .
If one parent found out they were not alone it was worth the effort. We have been surrounded by love and support. However, there are so many layers to this story that have yet to be addressed. We are in the infancy of this epidemic, and the more people tell the story of addiction, the closer we are to accepting and taking responsibility as a society.
Thank you Elizabeth, for your candor. I’m proof that the program works, my son is proof that addiction will kill. Wishing you the best, Mollie W, La Quinta, CA
An Open Book on Addiction
This book has helped me understand my issues. Thank you! Elizabeth I can relate to your life. Being a business owner and a woman, mom of 3, and footing all the bills while married is a lot to manage. Watching your husbands income go to his ex-wife because you can pay the bills is even more stressful! I know the feeling!
Thankful for this book
I love this book, it hit home with me. Thank you Elizabeth for writing this book.. I know you have helped people with your honesty about being a addict.. one day at a time... I’m 19 yrs sober