Elizabeth Vargas Returns to TV After Rehab: "I Am an Alcoholic"

Elizabeth Vargas is starting a new chapter. The 51-year-old journalist returned to TV on Friday, Jan. 24, following her stint in rehab last fall for alcoholism. In a pre-taped interview with Good Morning America's George Stephanopoulos, Vargas admitted, "I am. I am an alcoholic."

"It took me a long time to admit that to myself," she explained. "It took me a long time to admit it to my family, but I am."

PHOTOS: Celebrity rehab centers

Vargas shared back in November that she was seeking treatment for alcohol abuse. She left rehab two weeks after her announcement, tweeting: "Hello everyone! I am home, and so grateful for all your support and well wishes. I am so much better and taking it one day at a time."

The 20/20 anchor told GMA Friday that she decided she needed help after she realized she was "in no shape" to do an interview one day. Vargas shared that wine was her drink of choice. "At night I -- that was a ritual," she said. "I should've realized it was a problem way back when Zachary, my oldest son, was born. And he used to call my nightly glass of wine 'mommy's juice.' You know, and I thought that was hysterical. It didn't occur to me that that was a problem."

PHOTOS: Stars who've battled mental health issues

Vargas, mom to Zachary, almost 11, and Samuel, 7, said her husband, Marc Cohn, had previously told her to get help, but she didn't listen.

"'You have a problem. You're an alcoholic,'" she recalled Cohn saying. "It made me really angry, really angry. But he was right."

Vargas said her triggers to drink were stress and anxiety. "That's exhausting, to live like that," she explained. "And it becomes very easy to think 'I deserve this glass of wine. I'm so stressed out . . .'"

"I started thinking 'Well, you know, I'll only drink, you know, on weekends. I'll only drink, you know, two glasses of wine a night. I won't drink on nights before I have to get up and do Good Morning America," Vargas recalled. "But those deals never work."

PHOTOS: Celebrity health scares

Now, Vargas said she leans on family and friends to help her through stressful times. "I'm part of AA," she said. "I have a sponsor. I have great, great friends who I love and who love me."

How did she know when she was ready to leave treatment?

"It's a psychic change, I think. I mean, it's learning to accept that I'm human," she said. "That there's nothing wrong with failing, that there's nothing wrong with feeling anxiety."

Vargas will share more of her story when she returns to 20/20 on Friday, Jan. 24.

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Grant Baker Wins Mavericks Surf Comp

The Mavericks surf competition off the Northern California coast delivered massive waves, and in the end South Africa's Grant "Twiggy" Baker took home the crown.

Forecasters had predicted that the mix of swell size and weather would make for faces exceeding 40 feet, and Mother Nature didn't disappoint with some appearing to exceed 50 feet.

Baker, 40, also won the competition in 2006 and is considered one of the world's foremost big wave riders.

Each year if conditions are right the contest is held at the perilous surf spot, which is near the San Francisco Bay Area city of Half Moon Bay.

Two seasoned watermen have died there, including legendary big-wave rider Mark Foo from Hawaii in 1994.

Only surfers invited to the event can participate, and the event is only held when conditions are prime. This year, invitations went out to 24 of the world's best big wave surfers.

The participants compete in groups throughout the day, with judging based on the quality of the wave, difficulty of the drop and the surfer's performance.

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BOW WOW BARKS BACK AFTER "106 & PARK" FIRING RUMORS

Cash Money Records' Bow Wow has piped down rumors and reports claiming his days as BET's "106 & Park" co-host have come to an end.

Bow Wow jumped onto his Twitter page to downplay the widespread rumors.

""@HipHopture: @YMCMB_BW clear it for fans bro !! Clear what? That ill see yall at 6pm tomorrow live on TV like i do err day whats changed?," Bow Wow tweeted January 23.

"In my closet at @106andpark right now doing my Ebony Magazine photo shoot. Theres some things that can be stopped, but my hustle is in motion our plan is to take over the world!" (Bow Wow's Twitter)

Rumors about the rapper receiving a pink notice heated up the Internet last night (January 22).

"He want people to start calling him Bow Wow, but still acting like he got the 'Lil' in front of his name" Says one 106 & Park executive who witnessed Bow Wow being escorted off of the B.E.T. property. Bow Wow real name Shad Moss was fired from 106 & Park just hours ago after an accountant discovered he used company funds to pay for his monthly child support to baby mother Joie Chavis. (Cream BMP)

The gossip has also spurned a ludicrous statement from an alleged BET executive regarding the firing.

"I don't care what video vixen he decided to skeet in, B.E.T. money, is B.E.T.'s money" Said Roger Payme a senior accountant speaking on how Bow wow charged over $30,000 in child support to a company card he was issued for wardrobe and travel. "I'm driving a used Honda and his daughter got a toy Bentley for Christmas, ain't that a b1tch?" B.E.T. plans to air reruns until they find a suitable replacement, but expects no slip in ratings since nobody really watches 106 & Park since AJ & Free left anyway. (Cream BMP)

Back in 2012, Bow Weezy came forward and dismissed speculation of being broke.

"I love it, I just laugh at it," Bow Wow said in an interview. "One thing about me, I'm a smart guy. Very smart. Things that I do, are for reasons. Things that I don't do are for reasons. So for myself, I'm comfortable, very comfortable. For me, it's all about the work. I really don't read blogs -- I don't really read blogs at all because that's not why I'm in the [rap] game at all. I'm in the game for my fans and to make them smile and to make them enjoy what I do. But as far as rumors, those are people's opinions -- until you see me on a corner with a cardboard box saying I'll tap dance for food for canned goods, then you can say that [I'm broke]." (Real Talk NY)

Do you need to upgrade your wardrobe? Still rocking 2013 tags? Check out the top five reasons you need Yard Club 100 in your life!

Now show us if you are reppin' or co-sign any artists out in Michigan! Get at us on Instagram with#sohhpix

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Business Insurance Quote

Business Insurance Policies

Business insurance (also known as commercial insurance) is a very broad description. It covers various types of business insurance designed to protect your company from the many risks encountered in your business’s operations. With multiple options available, it’s good to know you have someone to turn to. 

Call 1-800-841-1621 and let our business insurance specialists help you select the right commercial insurance policy for your business.

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  General Liability Insurance

  As careful as you are, you could be held liable for the negligence of your business or its employees. You need to be prepared to defend yourself from lawsuits and protect your company's assets. 
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  Business Owners Policy

  
  

  The physical assets and property of your business are as important to consider as your liability exposure. With a business owner's policy, you can conveniently bundle these protections together. 
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  Professional Liability Insurance

  Professional liability insurance protects you from errors and omissions in the conduct of your business with a client. If something adverse happens to a client's business, you could be sued for negligence. If you provide advice or a service, this coverage may be for you.

  
  

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Collectibles Insurance Quote

Classic, Cool, One of a kind?

Of course you are, but we're actually talking about your valuables collection. If you are one of the many who own an amazing collection then you need specialty insurance to protect your investment.

All qualifying personal collections in your household may be covered on the same policy.

A Special Policy for a Special Collection

Coverage benefits of a specialty collectibles policy* include:

• Agreed value coverage - Qualifying collections are insured for their agreed collector value and never depreciate. Coverage also applies to accessories such as model train layouts and product packaging.
• Broad coverage - Includes damage caused by accidental breakage, fire, flood, theft, hurricane, earthquake, and more.
• Inflation Guard Protection - Automatically increases coverage for items valued over $2,000 by 2% quarterly, up to 8% annually, at no additional cost.
• Collector's Choice - This extra coverage provides protection while items are being shipped, stored outside of the residence, and for special occasion usage.
• Automatic coverage - Obtain automatic coverage for new additions to your collection up to $2,000 - simply notify us of new purchases within 30 days.

Go With The Best

The GEICO Insurance Agency has teamed with American Collectors Insurance to offer an insurance policy designed for collectors like you. Why Wait? Get acollectibles insurance quote right now.

Collectibles Insurance - Telephone Hours

Questions? Prefer to get a quote over the phone? Call 1-866-540-2307.

Monday – Friday	8:30 AM – 7:00 PM ET
Saturday	9:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET

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Enhanced Identity Theft Protection

Your Credit and Identity Can be Ruined in Minutes

It can happen so fast. Your wallet goes missing. A thief gets his hands on your credit card information. Will you be the victim of identity theft? You've spent your whole life building your identity—your credit, your good name. Don't allow others to ruin what you've built. We can help you get an identity theft protection plan that will keep your identity safe against the criminals who try to steal it.

Once Your Identity Has Been Stolen, The Hard Work Begins.

The Federal Trade Commission estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. If you don't have identity theft protection and your identity is stolen you will find yourself stressing over countless phone calls to various parties and filling out endless forms. But don't worry! GEICO can help you purchase identity theft protection to protect you from the consequences if your identity is stolen.

For your convenience, automatically debited monthly payments of only $6.99 for an Individual Plan or $7.99 for Couples are available. Have the peace of mind knowing your GEICO Identity Theft Protection will always have you covered.

How does identity theft protection work?

GEICO's Identity Theft protection is serviced by Europ Assistance USA (EA) and takes a three-pronged approach to protecting you through prevention, detection and resolution. This will give you peace of mind as well as a dedicated and experienced advocate to work on your behalf should your identity be stolen.

Our enhanced Identity Theft protection package includes:

• A proactive defense system to monitor your identity and protect your credit. We'll alert you to any potential threats.
• Unlimited online access to your TransUnion credit report and score.
• Three-credit bureau monitoring to alert you to any potential threats for both you and your spouse or significant other.
• 24/7 access to the certified resolution specialists who know how to immediately take the steps to get you back on an even keel whether your wallet was stolen or you need full service recovery because your identity was stolen.
• Travel-related services. Imagine the nightmare of getting back home if your wallet was lost or stolen while you were traveling. Solved!

For less than the cost of one fast food lunch a month, our enhanced identity theft protection will help prevent, detect and resolve identity theft for you or a family member, so you don't have to worry.

GEICO and Europ Assistance USA Partners in ID Theft Protection, Prevention and Resolution

You already know GEICO is famous for saving you up to 15% on your car insurance for over 75 years. We're happy to work with Europ Assistance USA (EA), which has been helping customers worldwide in times of crisis for over 48 years. EA was one of the first companies to provide identity theft resolution services in the United States. Their U.S. based team of 24/7 certified specialists have handled thousands of ID theft cases and protected millions of customers since 2003.

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Are you and your car going overseas?

• Overseas Insurance For Cars, Motorcycles, & Personal Property

  Frequent flyer miles to burn? Check.  Detailed (maybe too detailed) itinerary? Check.  Insurance coverage for the worldly belongings you'll be taking halfway across the world with you? Hrmm, good question!
  Whether you're going on vacation or moving overseas, GEICO can take the hassle out of getting your car, motorcycle, or personal property insured. GEICO Financial Services, GmbH–a GEICO affiliate–can be your insurance agent abroad.

  Overseas Insurance Coverage With A Personal Touch

  GEICO Financial Services, GmbH will do more than just put together an overseas insurance policy that's right for you; we can help make sure that you have all the documents you need to ship it, register it, and cross international borders.  So you can spend more time focusing on your pronunciation instead of your paperwork.
  All this, plus competitive overseas insurance rates from high quality insurers who are licensed in the country where you are living!

  Many Payment Options

  We make it easy to pay for your overseas policy. GEICO offers several different ways you can make your payments, including a monthly payment plan. We accept personal checks and money orders. You can give us a call at 1-800-248-4998 
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