Lowering the Bar – Substance Abuse in Lawyers
Lawyers Face Unique Stressors
With such high-pressure positions, substance abuse in lawyers is common.
Lawyers and other legal professionals often face unique stressors.
This puts them at a higher risk for both substance abuse and mental health conditions.
Even before they enter the workforce, lawyers often face heavy workloads and ethical conflicts. This is common in law schools and law offices.
According to 2016 studies, more than one in five lawyers report feeling that their alcohol or drug use is problematic.
Nearly three in four report that the excessive use began after starting law school.
For a variety of reasons, legal professionals are at a higher risk for substance abuse disorders.
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Drug Abuse in Lawyers
In courtroom dramas and legal TV shows, we see substance abuse in lawyers frequently.
Many of us assume that this is dramatized. After all, just about everything else in the show us. Unfortunately, this may be one thing that they are getting right.
New law students often find that law school is not quite what they were expecting.
The intensely demanding workloads and overwhelmingly intense competition put an enormous amount of pressure on young professionals.
For these reasons and many others, it is important for legal professionals to be proactive and build strong support systems.
Unfortunately, many legal professionals will push the problem under the rug rather than talking about it or seeking treatment.
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Lawyers Find it Difficult to Admit they are Addicted to Drugs
Lawyers who are addicted to drugs find it difficult to admit. If everyone knew, their ability to perform their job would be called into question.
The job is stressful enough without adding this additional pressure. It is easier to turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with a demanding career than face it head-on.
Over time, you will find that this is not easier at all. The long-term consequences of drug abuse are brutal.
Ignoring the problem will only make it worse. Do not let the fear of stigma stop you from turning your life around.
You will be much better off in the long-run.
Prescription Pill Abuse in Lawyers
From young law students to seasoned, veteran attorneys, prescription pill abuse is common in the legal field.
Lawyers who are addicted to pills are often ones that started by following a prescription.
Because of the demands, pressure, and ethical challenges, many legal professionals experience increased anxiety and depression. Individuals who faced these mental health disorders before their careers began may find it even harder to overcome.
Long hours, angry clients, moral challenges, demanding bosses, and high divorce rates all make them more likely to abuse pills than the general population.
These pills may start out serving a genuine medical purpose before elevating to abuse and addiction. Lawyers are 3.6 times more likely to be depressed than other professionals are.
Medications often serve as a coping mechanism. They may cover up your symptoms temporarily, but in the end, addiction is almost always worse than the initial problem we were facing.
Choose to live a strong, sober life instead. And we will help you get there when you’re ready.
Amphetamine Abuse in Lawyers
Generally, lawyers will abuse alcohol and prescription pills more than other substances.
However, the rise of illicit drugs has made room for other destructive habits. Amphetamines act as central nervous system stimulants.
They alter the user’s brain chemistry and stimulate activity. In the short-term, amphetamines are known to increase focus, confidence, and energy.
Legal professionals with hectic work hours, challenging cases, and other difficulties are attracted to these side effects. Unfortunately, amphetamines are addictive and easy to abuse.
Amphetamine-related overdoses are some of the most common in the country. In addition to being addictive, there are other reasons for this.
Amphetamines are often laced with other substances without the user’s knowledge. Dealers may mix in other substances to increase their profits.
This can be deadly for unknowing addicts. Additionally, intense withdrawal symptoms make it hard to quit without help. Lawyers who are addicted to amphetamines will likely need professional help.
Our medically-assisted detoxes are designed with situations like these in mind.
Alcoholism in Lawyers
In the United States, the Journal of Addiction Medicine recently surveyed 12,825 licensed and employed attorneys. They asked about their drinking habits, drug use, and mental health:
- 20.6% of those surveyed revealed that they had habits that could be identified as alcohol-dependent.
- 28% of these legal professionals also responded that they experience symptoms of depression.
- 23% experience stress symptoms.
- 19% experience anxiety.
Mental health concerns like these are often linked to heavy drinking. Whether the drinking came first or the mental health condition did is hard to say.
However, we do know that these co-existing conditions worsen one another.
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Alcoholism and Mental Health
Lawyers who are addicted to alcohol often experience heavy mental health distress, as well.
These two problems occurring together is called a dual diagnosis. It is important to address both of these issues rather than just one or the other.
Otherwise, one may remain and worsen the other. Each of our Resurgence Behavioral Health facilities is built to address a wide range of addictions and complications.
Whether your dual diagnosis includes alcoholism or drug abuse, we can help you address and overcome it. This is what we do and we are always available to help.
How Rehab Addresses Substance Abuse in Lawyers
Rehab facilities give you a safe, quiet, and comfortable place to get sober. More importantly to some, the entire process will be confidential.
We will not share any of your information with anyone other than those you allow us to.
Everything you experience in our facility can stay between you, your therapist, your support group, and your primary care provider if you have one.
The point here is never to make you feel ashamed or embarrassed. The point of addiction treatment is to identify what triggers you and teach you how to beat it.
A Wide Variety of Treatment Methods and Programs
We offer a wide variety of treatment methods and program options. Once we have completed your admissions questions, we can help you determine what will work best for you.
Each of our programs is customized based on the patient entering it. At Resurgence in California, you will have access to:
- Inpatient care
- Residential stays
- Outpatient care
- Partial hospitalization programs
- Intensive outpatient programs
- Medically-assisted detoxes
- Therapeutic techniques
- Counseling sessions
- Support groups
- Alumni groups
- Aftercare planning and services
- Classes and seminars
- Stress and addiction management techniques
- Exercise classes
- Nutritional guidance
- Holistic remedies
- Supervised outings
Depending on your addiction and needs, you will experience some combination of these treatment methods. Inpatient care is often recommended.
We understand that not everyone can put their work or family life on hold. Each patient and addiction is different.
Therefore we offer so many different options. Whatever your needs are, the right addiction treatment plan is waiting here for you. You are in good hands.
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Resurgence Behavioral Health
Substance abuse in lawyers is something that should be addressed right away. You do not have to face it alone.
Help is right around the corner. Our dedicated and caring team has decades of experience in treating alcoholism, drug addictions, and dual diagnoses.
We will guide you through drug rehab every step of the way. Call today for more information.
We will also answer your questions and offer a free insurance verification. Why let your addiction run your life for another day?
