Between Breaths: A Memoir of Panic and Addiction

Elizabeth Vargas honestly and openly tells her story of anxiety and alcoholism . Not easily overcoming her addiction, she is in and out of rehab several times, finally beating her addiction. She gives inside information of her struggles and victories in the news business as well. A great read!

Excellent book. Digs deep into the disease of alcoholism. Helped me to understand my Dad's problems with this damaging disease. So open and truthful. Didn't want to stop reading. Very well written.

I really appreciate "Beth" sharing her story. We sometimes look at tv personalities as having the perfect life. They are successful! They've made it! Sometimes the road is not always paved in gold. I'm so happy that she is doing great now!!! EXcellent story.

The world is fascinated by the personal lives of public personalities--particularly those who try to keep a low-profile like Elizabeth Vargas. Shy, unsure of herself, prone to anxiety, Vargas shares her life beyond the news desk in poignant, often painful detail. As someone who has dealt with heart-pounding, often limiting panic disorder myself, I read with great interest how Vargas sought to cope with the roles of wife, mother and successful network anchor by increasingly self-medicating with alcohol. Elizabeth is open, forthright and spares no one, least of all herself, in her detailed analysis of her addiction. It didn't take long for her to go from using alcohol to cope with her nerves to becoming that person who develops another kind of anxiety--the fear of being caught drinking by her employers, friends and family. Stints in rehab replete with support from her family are discussed, along with the relapses she suffered after most of them. This is no happily ever after fairy tale; as Vargas is finally getting herself together her husband announces he's leaving her for a mutual friend. And then there are the guilt trips of family vacations ruined by her drinking, losing touch with her parents and siblings, and showing up for work so drunk she was unable to work. The coping skills she finally develops are worth sharing and one has the sense she will finally prevail over addiction. I had to be talked into reading this book and I'm so glad I did. Elizabeth Vargas puts it all out there and her honesty is startling and endearing. I was riveted by this book; finished it in one sitting b/c I truly couldn't put it down!

I thought this book was very well written. I admire Elizabeth's honesty and courage. The road to recovery is not always easy and she portrays that well. This disease doesn't discriminate, Yale or jail as they say. It was a quick read and I have recommended it to my friends.

Thank you Elizabeth for sharing your journey. You are helping so many people that are suffering from this disease themselves, and others who are suffering like Marc was.

You are brave. Thank you for being brave. I can be brave now too, thanks to you.

One statement stucked with me: Elizabeth Vargas admitted that she would give her life for her kids, but she could not give up drinking for her kids, she described her struggle with addiction with disarming honesty. The part about TV Network politics was the least engaging and autentic and not as well written as her personal testimony.

Any women in recovery will relate to Beth's story!! Being 88 days sober this is what I needed to hear! One day at a time Is the most important thing to remember everyday we wake up! Keep carrying the message of hope Beth and thank you!

I enjoyed how Elizabeth was very frank and vulnerable with her experience. Sharing her story enables individuals to realize everybody approaches addiction differently. It was also refreshing to learn how supportive her employment was. Way to go Elizabeth!!

I never read books about addiction .... I can't relate because I don't have an addictive personality but Ms Vargas did such a wonderful job breaking down panic, anxiety and addiction I literally couldn't put it down. I'm going to recommend this book to several ppl I know.

Elizabeth Vargas bares her very soul in this memoir of her descent into alcoholism. Risking her marriage and children, time and again, she tells of clawing her way back to sobriety. Highly recommend!

I can relate so much to her alcoholic lifestyle but not her fame. I have been sober now for eight years and my life has become a miracle one day at a time. So much gratitude for AA. Congratulation Elizabeth Vargas ?

Well written, refreshingly honest and gut wrenching, all at the same time. Ms. Vargas is doing what many cannot, and that is making a "secret" very public, thus giving others in her very same situation, permission to think about doing the same. Bravo Elizabeth!

Probably the best autobiography on personal alcoholism that I have ever read. Her story of struggle was so much like my own....the mystery of addiction and the inability to stop was so close to my story that I thought I was reading my own story. Well worth the read.