Being an attorney is a responsibility that comes with a lot of expectations. The legal profession is one with policies on ethics and conduct. Hence, when an attorney battles with addiction they find it hard to be upfront about it.
According to a survey done in the US, 36% of respondent lawyers had problems with problematic drinking.
As far back as 1990, problematic drinking was discovered to be more prevalent among lawyers than the general US population. Despite the obvious problem, attorneys battle stigma that discourage from seeking help.
We will check out some common treatment methods attorneys can adopt for addiction.
- Professionals Program: Different rehab centers have treatment programs that are tailored to suit the needs of professionals. There are different professionals programs; for medical practitioners, for lawyers. Be on the lookout for drug rehab centers that offer Lawyer Assistance Programs (LAPs).
LAPs are government-assisted programs to help people in the legal profession. The treatment path of LAPs are tailor made to suit to give specialized care to the attorneys. Some rehab centers also offer specialized programs for attorneys beyond the LAPs.
- Reduce Stress: Most lawyers develop their addiction troubles after being overwhelmed with the stress of their jobs. Beyond seeking professional help, attorneys can help themselves by reducing the pressure on themselves. They can achieve this by doing stress-easing activities like playing sports.
The legal profession comes with a lot of pressure that can lead to emotional breakdowns. An attorney can help themselves by taking cases one at a time.
- Regular Treatment Methods: Apart from the specialized treatment method, an attorney can utilize the in-house treatment (rehab centers. Community based treatment programs, or out-patient treatment programs are also an option.
Alcohol and drug overuse are responsible for a high proportion of legal malpractice. Many attorneys cannot cope with the stigma of seeking help for drug problems hence they live in self-denial. There is also the fear of missing out on professional accolades if they acknowledge battling substance misuse.