Sabathia says he realized three years ago he was an alcoholic

ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 30: CC Sabathia #52 of the New York Yankees throws against the Texas Rangers in the second inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on July 30, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

NEW YORK -- Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia says he first realized three years ago he was an alcoholic.

In his first remarks to media since seeking treatment, Sabathia told ABC in an interview broadcast Friday: "I was kind of battling it without any help."

Sabathia says "I would go a couple, you know, two, three months at a time sober, and then I would just relapse, and, you know, go on these weekends when I thought nobody was paying attention, and I would get in a hotel room and drink out of the minibar, pretty much everything."

Sabathia left the Yankees for treatment ahead of its loss to Houston in the AL Wild Card Game. The 35-year-old left-hander was 6-10 with a 4.73 ERA this season, slowed by a chronic knee injury.