It has been proven that attorneys are at a higher risk of addiction, particularly substance abuse, than other members of society. This is highly due to the stress and pressures of the legal profession, but is also influenced by other social, psychological and neurological factors.

Many cases of addiction in the legal profession are going untreated because most lawyers hide their problem. Despite the availability of rehabilitation programs that are customized to suit the legal professional’s lifestyle, the primary factor influencing attorneys to seek treatment for addiction is when they can no longer hide their problem and are sued for malpractice.

There are certain addiction trends that can be observed through out the legal profession, which chart the general progress of addiction through an attorney’s career.

• Law School: Approximately 25 percent of law students are reported to develop a substance abuse problem while attending their educational institution. The number begins modestly, but rises to 25 percent by graduation.

• Practicing Law: Over 15 percent of practicing attorneys are afflicted with addiction, which is nearly twice the amount seen in other professions, and the severity of the addiction will statistically increase with time.

• Early Career: It is estimated that younger attorneys battle substance abuse problems at a rate of 17 percent.

• Later Career: Substance abuse problems among senior attorneys increase to 24 percent.