“Recovery is all about using our power to change our beliefs that are based on faulty data.” – Kevin McCormick
As a lawyer, you have many things on your plate. Your career, clients, and family, to name a few. When you add a substance use disorder on top of that, the plate can become overwhelmingly full and impossible to manage. You may feel ashamed or like you’re failing, which may result in hiding your need for help.
The 2022 State Bar demographics survey reported that there are 190,000 actively licensed lawyers in California. That same year, 172 lawyers in California reported concerns with a substance use disorder, and this does not take into consideration the lawyers who do not report out of fear of suspension or debarment.
If you’re one of those lawyers who is living with a substance use disorder and unsure of where to turn, Pacific Sands is here to help. Let’s talk about entering addiction treatment as a lawyer and what it might look like for you.
Addiction and Lawyers: How Prevalent Is It?
In a study that examined substance use among lawyers in the United States, researchers found that 74.1% of the participants were regularly taking stimulants, and 20.6% of them had symptoms of an alcohol use disorder. During the study, they asked the participants who had not received treatment why, and the most significant fears revolved around privacy and confidentiality policies. They didn’t want others to know they were considering treatment. But why?
There are many reasons lawyers may feel embarrassed or ashamed of others finding out they are getting treatment. Lawyers interact with many people, from judges, clients, jury members, and fellow lawyers. They may fear that if word got out, they would be looked down upon and considered less than. This is not true.
Alongside that, they may be worried about letting people down. Perhaps they have a client who relies on them to get through their case, and taking time to receive treatment might mean they must pass the client off to someone else. Or they might be worried they will let their family down because they aren’t able to bring in as much money while they take time to recover.
In some cases, a substance use disorder may result in a suspension or disbarment. This may lead to some lawyers fearing they will lose their jobs. In other instances, they may be worried they will look like a failure or that their family will leave them for having this condition. But in most cases, you will not be fired for attending treatment and actively working toward recovery.
If you are experiencing a substance or alcohol use disorder and are at the point where you need to attend treatment, know that you are not alone. A study done by the California Lawyers Association found that over half of the attorneys they surveyed participated in risky drinking.
What to Know Before Starting Your Recovery As a Lawyer
Before you start your treatment, you might wonder what to expect. During your initial time in rehab, you may be exposed to an initial electronic blackout period. This ensures that you can remain focused on your recovery and are not distracted by your career’s demands. Taking this time off is essential to guaranteeing your recovery.
Navigating Addiction Treatment as a Lawyer: Can Your Career and Treatment Exist Together?
Your recovery and career can exist together. Your recovery will require your full attention initially, but it doesn’t stay that way the entire time. You will reach the point where you will only be required to attend a few meetings or appointments during the week, and integrating back into your law career will be possible. How can you ensure you give your treatment and career the attention they deserve?
Remember to stay on top of your appointments and meetings. If your firm offers flexible work hours, take advantage of this, as it can allow you to carve out an hour or so of your time. When you return from your outpatient appointment or support group meeting, your work will still be there, and you might feel refreshed afterward.
The Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP) is a state-run program in California that monitors lawyers to ensure they complete the requirements that allow them to continue practicing law. If you have been reported to the State Bar of California, you may have already interacted with LAP. They will support you along your journey, and following their steps can ensure you remain compliant with the State Bar.
Balancing Recovery and Your Career: What Can You Do to Help?
A study showed that 14% of lawyers experience burnout, and 11% have a substance use disorder. Experiencing highly stressful circumstances and working long hours daily can make burnout more likely. When you are trying to balance your career and recovery, there will be days when it feels overwhelming, and you might be at a higher risk of experiencing burnout.
Balancing a substance use disorder and your career can also lead to burnout, and experiencing this may result in a return to use to cope with that stress. So, what can you do to lower your chances of experiencing burnout while balancing your career and recovery?
The most important thing to remember is that it is acceptable to need a break from the office. Don’t be afraid to rely on coworkers to help with your workload as needed to take additional stress off your plate. Use your break time to relax, attend treatment, or participate in activities that will keep your mind off the stress and prevent you from returning to use. These activities can be learned and discovered through your treatment.
Have people around you that understand what you are going through. Participate in lawyer-specific support groups to connect with a network of people who know your exact experiences and fears. Learn from them on what they have found to be helpful. Applying those techniques may help you.
Alongside that, understand your triggers. Exploring your potential triggers in your career can help you know what may result in you wanting to return to use. You don’t have to avoid your triggers, and more than likely, it will be impossible to prevent all of them, but having a support network and utilizing skills and techniques can help you manage potential cravings when those triggers come. If you don’t know your triggers, treatment can help you discover what they might be.
Helpful Resources for Lawyers in Recovery From Substance Use
Returning to your law career can be gradual, and you might require assistance. Whether you have been instructed to seek treatment by the State Bar or you are seeking it on your own, treatment at a substance use disorder rehab is your first step.
A strong support network is essential to your recovery success, and connecting with fellow lawyers can help you feel less alone. 12-step programs and other support groups are a great way to meet other lawyers and create this network.
Other Bar is a California-based support group that is designed specifically for California lawyers, judges, and law students with substance use disorders. It is not a treatment program. They have over 600 lawyers as part of their network each year. The most common models that Other Bar follows are 12-step, medical, therapeutic, religious, and secular, and they have both virtual and in-person meeting options. The individual meetings determine which model they wish to follow. They also host men’s and women’s retreats, allowing lawyers and their families to come together and share their experiences, hopes, and strengths. Since this organization is dedicated to only lawyers, it can allow you to see that you are not the first lawyer who has had a substance use disorder.
The Lawyer Well-Being Project is a California-based project developed by the Los Angeles County Bar Association. It aims to provide tailored resources for lawyers with substance use and mental health disorders to help them maintain their emotional, social, physical, spiritual, occupational, and intellectual health. This project is an excellent tool for you and other lawyers who may be having a challenging time with the stress and burnout that come with the job.
International Lawyers in Alcoholics Anonymous (ILAA) is a support group that follows the teachings of AA. It is specifically designed with lawyers, judges, law students, and other legal professionals in mind. With many meetings across the country, this support group allows you to connect with fellow lawyers who also have alcohol use disorders.
