Elizabeth Vargas, the 51-year-old ABC News correspondent and 20/20 co-anchor, has returned to a rehab facility to be treated for alcohol dependency.

On Sunday, Vargas and the network released a statement regarding her current situation.

“While on vacation this weekend, I decided to return to a recovery center,” Vargas’ statement read. “As so many other recovering alcoholics know, overcoming the disease can be a long and incredibly difficult process. I feel I have let myself, my co-workers and most importantly my family down, and for that I am ashamed and sorry.”

“I am committed to battling and addressing this debilitating disease and want to thank everyone who has offered their unwavering support during this trying time,” Vargas added.

ABC is very supportive of Vargas and released a statement of their own. They explained that they are most concerned with Vargas’ well-being, and they will welcome her back when she feels ready to return. “Nothing is more important than Elizabeth’s health and well-being, and we stand squarely behind her,” a network spokesperson said. “Our thoughts are with Elizabeth and her family, and we look forward to having her back at ABC News when she feels ready to return.”

Vargas has been working with ABC since 1996, and first opened up about her struggle with alcohol back in January. She revealed that she had received treatment in a rehab facility that fall and admitted that she was an alcoholic. “I am an alcoholic,” she told George Stephanopoulos at the time. “The amount of energy I expended keeping that secret and keeping this problem hidden from view was exhausting. You become so isolated with the secret, so lonely because you can’t tell anyone what’s happening.”

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