Lawyers are among the highest paid professionals in the country, earning more than $100,000 a year on average, according to theBureau of Labor Statistics(BLS). Many people associate this occupation with a life of luxury, assuming legal professionals don’t have the struggles of the lower class, but this is not the case. In fact, there’s a darker side to this career that isn’t as widely known as the perks: substance abuse and addiction. While approximately 10 percent of the average population is addicted to a substance, the percent of those in legal professions who are addicted is higher (18 percent), according to theOregon State Bar.
Drug and alcohol addiction are two of the most common forms of addiction among lawyers, and they often stem from various psychological factors associated with the profession. But just as with any other health condition, help is available, and although there may be self-imposed barriers to seeking it, the number of treatment options far outweigh them.
Why Lawyers Abuse Substances
Comparable to many other high-paying vocations, becoming a lawyer is not a fast and easy process. It requires years of college work, hours of studying, passion and dedication, and various challenging exams. But once lawyers begin practicing in the real world, new challenges arise, including stressful cases, difficult clients, competitive pressure and long days and nights. These aspects of the profession can lead to a number of mental health disorders, leaving many law professionals seeking prescription medications or finding comfort in a glass bottle. With the positive effects these substances can create, it can be easy for some lawyers and law students to begin abusing them, which can lead to addiction.
According toAmericanBar.org, many law students show signs of depression, anxiety, hostility and paranoia within six months of entering law school. After the first year of law school, 40 percent of students suffer from depression, which often continues through their careers. These individuals are also more likely to deal with certain mental disorders than others. ACNN analysissuggests that lawyers are 3.6 times more likely to deal with depression compared to members of the general population.
Ready to Break Free From Addiction?
If you’re seeking help for yourself or a loved one, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way. Don’t wait—start your journey to recovery today.
A study conducted byHazelden Betty Ford Foundation and theAmerican Bar Association Commission (ABA) on Lawyer Assistance Programsfound that:
- 28 percentof lawyers struggle with depression
- 19 percentof lawyers demonstrate symptoms of anxiety.
- Younger attorneysin the first 10 years of practice exhibit the highest rates of depression, anxiety and alcohol abuse.
Lawyers and Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol is one of the easiest substances to abuse for several reasons: it’s legal, easy to access and inexpensive, and it can produce desirable effects. Take a lawyer struggling with depression and anxiety, and add alcohol to the mix, and you could have the perfect recipe for disaster. For the law student who stresses daily about their classes and grades, daily drinking might be hard to resist. For the lawyer who lost another big case, it might be easy to drown their frustration and depression with alcohol. Regardless of the reason, many lawyers’ drinking can spiral out of control and into addiction.
According to theHazelden Betty Ford Foundationand ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs:
- More than 1 in 3 practicing attorneys are problem drinkers
- 40–70 percent of all disciplinary proceedings and malpractice actions involve substance abuse
- Lawyers experience alcohol use disorders at a far higher rate than other professionals, including doctors
- 21 percent of licensed, employed attorneys are problem drinkers
These numbers may be alarming, but they’re proof that you’re not alone if you’re a lawyer struggling with alcohol abuse or addiction. The first step in getting help is admitting there’s a problem, and eliminating any self-imposed barriers.
Why Lawyers Don’t Seek Help
There are many reasons that lawyers and law students may postpone their decision to seek help for their alcohol or drug addiction.
Confidentiality concerns:
Denial:
Fear:
Uncertainty:
Shame:
Regardless of what roadblocksyou’vecreated, they don’t need to stay there. You’re strong enough to knock them down and get the help you need.
Helpful Resources for Lawyers
There are many resources available to help lawyers struggling with alcoholism or any other substance use disorder, including:
- The Recovery Village:The Recovery Village is a network of rehabilitation centers that treat drug and alcohol addiction as well as co-occurring mental health disorders (depression, anxiety, etc.).
- Lawyer Assistance Programs (LAPs): Lawyer Assistance Programs provide confidential services and support to judges, lawyers and law students who are facing substance use disorders or mental health issues.
- Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation: The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation specializes in helping legal professionals address addiction and co-occurring mental health issues so they can return to their practice.
Accessing help from these resources begins with a simple, confidential phone consultation with a professional who will point you in the right direction for treatment.
