As with the State Bar of Texas, almost every state as a lawyer assistance program to assist and help lawyers with substance abuse disorders and alcoholism and mental health problems. For example, you can see Illinois here, ABA here, California here, Florida here, Hawii here, Massachusetts here, New York here, and Colorado here.
Most are peer support groups in which attorneys who have suffered from these afflictions can assist those presently with problems. They provide support numbers and speakers at bar meetings so that you and I can help identify the those suffering.
We have to face it. Substance abuse, alcoholism, metal health issues are prevalent in our society. Studies and research have demonstrated for better or worse that a higher percentage of lawyers suffer from these at higher percentages than the population at large. Why? Probably because the practice of law is a high stress job, if you let. It can amplify problems that already exist. And, the results can be damaging.
Especially solo attorneys and attorneys that work from home can go unnoticed or spiral off because they are less likely to be identified as readily.
I have known a good number of attorneys in my life that have suffered mightily with some combination of substance abuse, alcoholism, and mental health issue, who have been assisted by the State Bar of Texas and its programs, and have gone on to prevail over these demons and prosper in the practice of law.
Just as a solo practice or working at home can help hide the problem, it can also help the situation with the right support structure. This is because the elimination of stress and anxiety associated with traditional practices can only contribute to these issues. Once excess stress and anxiety is limited the better the situations have to be.
It is vitally important that if you know of some attorney, but especially a solo practice attorney or office attorneys, who you believe has a problem of this nature that you contact your bar association and try to get this attorney assistance.
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