Substance use and abuse is a serious problem in the United States, and lawyers are not exempt from its effects. While the legal profession often casts a long shadow of wholesomeness and impeccable morals, it can often be a breeding ground for addiction. From drinking to smoking to drugs, lawyers face the same struggles as the rest of us. But why? Why do lawyers struggle with addiction, when they are often seen as pillars of society?
One reason lawyers struggle with addiction is the stress associated with their profession. The law can be a ruthless and unpredictable arena, and many lawyers feel that they must over-prepare and over-work in order to accomplish their desired goals. This can lead to exhaustion, which can easily turn into a reliance on alcohol or drugs in order to cope. Stress can also lead to a feeling of isolation, depersonalization, and self-loathing. These feelings leave lawyers open to numbing their feelings with drugs or alcohol in order to escape.
Additionally, lawyers often have access to abundant supplies of controlled substances, thus increasing their temptation to use or abuse them. Lawyers often work in offices and chambers where pills, alcohol, and cigarettes are readily available, or they may have access to substances at social functions. It’s easy to succumb to the temptation to self-medicate when the lure of these substances is so close.
Furthermore, there is a common perception among lawyers that substance use is acceptable as long as it remains private. Many lawyers, either consciously or subconsciously, think it is okay to indulge in substances during their off hours, as long as no one finds out. However, this attitude can lead to a slippery slope, where initially-limited use gradually becomes a habit and then an addiction, and can seriously jeopardize a lawyer’s career.
Unfortunately, there is a certain amount of stigma associated with addiction in the legal community, which can prevent lawyers from seeking help when they need it. Addiction is still seen as a moral failing, and many lawyers fear that if they seek help, their peers and colleagues will view them differently. As a result, many lawyers choose to suffer in silence and miss the opportunity for recovery.
On the positive side, there are numerous resources available for lawyers struggling with addiction, and the legal profession is gradually becoming more accepting of addiction as a treatable condition. The American Bar Association offers resources to help lawyers affected by addiction, and many states now have programs dedicated to helping lawyers who suffer from addiction or mental health issues.
Ultimately, addiction affects every profession, not just the legal one. But understanding why lawyers struggle with addiction is important in order to help them get the treatment that they need to lead healthy and productive lives. By recognizing the factors that put lawyers at risk, and by making sure that mental health and addiction treatment is seen as an acceptable part of being a lawyer, we can help make sure that lawyers are able to come back from addiction and courageously strive to do the best job possible.