Drug and Alcohol Rehab for Lawyers

While truly anyone can fall victim to a substance use disorder (SUD) at some point in their lives, certain professions can be hit harder due to their high-stress natures. One such profession is that of lawyers, attorneys, and other legal professionals, who often require specialized treatment in the form of lawyer rehabilitation programs to get through addiction properly and adequately.

To help with this, it is often possible to find treatment programs that cater specifically to addiction in the legal profession, as these programs tend to address their unique challenges while also providing added layers of confidentiality.

Read on to learn more about how you can access these specialized programs and more about why they are often a good fit for those in a legal profession.

Addiction in lawyers is somewhat common and can have a strong impact on the lives of those who are living with SUD, which is why it is so important to address and understand the causes of addiction among lawyers.

Two studies published in 2016 on the prevalence of substance abuse and mental health disorders among those in the legal profession found that both practicing lawyers and law students were at an increased risk for these issues.

It is estimated that around 1 in 4 lawyers are living with depression or another mental health issue and that up to 70% of malpractice cases involving lawyers have to do with substance abuse.

Substance abuse and mental health issues among lawyers can significantly impact their careers and personal lives, with more severe consequences resulting from delaying getting help.

Effects of addiction on legal careers and personal lives include:

• Worsened work performance and a tarnished reputation in the community
• Loss of job or even loss of ability to practice law
• Strain on both professional and personal relationships
• Legal issues and potential criminal charges
• Financial difficulties
• Physical and mental health problems

Recognizing the signs of substance abuse in lawyers is important so that lawyers can recognize when they need help and so that their loved ones and co-workers can also know what to look for.

Symptoms of drug addiction in lawyers can present themselves physically, behaviorally, or both, depending on the person.

Lawyer substance abuse warning signs include:

• Tardiness or poor attendance
• Acting secretive or hiding behaviors
• Arguing with co-workers and colleagues
• Lack of self-care and personal hygiene
• Acting drunk or high at social functions
• Difficulty focusing on the job

Substance abuse among lawyers can also heavily impact their performance on the job, and their colleagues and clients are likely to both suffer as a result.

They may show up late, forget important meetings or court appearances, and perform inadequately during situations where their skill, experience, and knowledge are relied upon by others.

It is important that lawyers and law school students have access to specialized lawyer rehab programs that are able to provide tailored treatment that addresses the unique challenges of the legal profession.

Lawyers and legal professionals are susceptible to significant challenges in their day-to-day lives that people in other professions do not have to face, or if they do, it is rarely to the same extent.

Unique challenges faced by lawyers that can lead to problems with alcohol or illicit drugs include:

• Strong amount of competition within the legal industry
• Long work hours and pressure to perform and succeed
• Co-occurring mental health disorders
• Pressure within the legal culture to drink or use drugs
• Stigma that prevents lawyers from seeking help when they need it

Specialized rehab for lawyers can also offer customized treatment plans that include treatment services specific to the person’s needs and unique challenges they are facing.

Tailored addiction treatment for lawyers can mean different things for different people but will include offerings of detox, medication-assisted treatment, inpatient and outpatient treatment, behavioral health therapy, and aftercare that is delivered in a high-quality and discreet manner.

Components of addiction treatment for lawyers are often very similar to those available for the general population, with some additional services offered to address their unique needs.

Detoxification is often the first step in any type of rehab program and is considered crucial for managing withdrawal symptoms and getting people past what is often considered the most difficult period of recovery.

While there are several types of detox for lawyers, medically monitored detox is often considered the best and most effective, as it uses medications to help people taper off of drugs or alcohol at a pace that is comfortable and safe.

Medical supervision is also essential during this process, as withdrawal symptoms from certain disorders, such as alcohol use disorders or opioid use disorders, can be life-threatening.

Therapy for addicted lawyers is also an important part of addiction treatment, with lawyers often able to participate in individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, or relationship therapy.

They may also want to explore different types of behavioral therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).

Another type of therapy that is often found in drug and alcohol addiction treatment is dual diagnosis treatment, which treats co-occurring mental health conditions at the same time as a person’s addiction.

This type of therapy is useful in that it helps address any issues that may have led to a person’s addiction in the first place as a means of coping with their mental illness.

Professional lawyer support groups provide a sense of community among lawyers and give them a chance to socialize, interact, and support each other through addiction recovery.

In turn, members of these support groups have the opportunity to share their unique stories, feel less isolated and alone, and know that there are others who understand their unique challenges.

Another important component of addiction treatment is aftercare for lawyers, which refers to the continuation of support and therapy after successful completion of a program, and which is essential for preventing relapse in lawyers.

Aftercare is usually performed as an outpatient service, during which the lawyer can continue their therapy, attend regular support groups, participate in medication-assisted treatment if necessary, and even reside in transitional housing if their situation calls for it.

Privacy and confidentiality are essential in lawyer rehabilitation programs to ensure the well-being of both the lawyers seeking help and their clients. Maintaining a safe and secure environment for individuals to address their challenges enables them to fully engage in the recovery process and fosters trust in the legal profession.

Privacy in addiction treatment for lawyers is essential. However, some jurisdictions may require mandatory reporting. For this reason, lawyers should always be aware of the local laws and regulations.

Lawyers and rehab programs should also be aware of ethical concerns, and while these programs must assist lawyers, they also have a duty to the public and any clients of the lawyer to ensure that no harm is done or misconduct is committed.

It is important that lawyers are able to protect their clients’ interests, and maintain their trust and business as best as possible, while also protecting lawyer-client privilege in rehab.

For this reason, lawyers should always be transparent with their clients and inform them of their situation, as well as let them know who will be handling their case in the meantime, such as a different attorney or an assisting attorney.

During the course of rehab, the lawyer should then do their best to keep in contact with both the assisting attorney and their clients to ensure that the cases are still progressing as they should.

It is not always easy to recognize a high-quality addiction treatment program, but it is important when choosing lawyer rehab programs in terms of fulfilling their specialized needs.

You should always visit any potential rehab facilities in person, have questions prepared to ask staff members at various levels, and ensure that the facility offers services that are specific to legal professionals.

Also, make sure that the facility uses evidence-based treatments, is reputable within the community, and offers the level of confidentiality that you require.

Often the best rehabs for lawyers can be found by taking recommendations from other colleagues or professionals who have gone through the process themselves.

Lawyers should always consider whether a treatment facility is accredited and properly licensed by the state in which it is located.

When a facility is accredited, it means that it has achieved certain standards of care and quality, as designated by organizations like the Joint Commission or the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

Ask the rehab you are interested in if they have any data regarding the success rate for their program, as you will want to choose one that has a high rate of completion.

It is also a good idea to read testimonials for the facility that you are interested in, especially if those testimonials are coming from others in the legal profession who can vouch for the treatment center’s services and confidentiality practices.

Fortunately, there is a lot of support and resources available to lawyers both through individual law firms and on a national and state level through the American Bar Association (ABA) and other organizations.

With it becoming increasingly important to recognize that addiction occurs somewhat commonly among legal professionals, more and more law firms are implementing their own policies and initiatives to provide law firm support for addicted lawyers.

Initiatives that are commonly found within law firms include:

• Comprehensive guidelines for lawyers in terms of alcohol and drug policies, as well as guidelines for how and where to seek support.
• Training, seminars, and workshops to help lawyers recognize the signs of addiction in themselves or others and help them to be supportive of one another.
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are professional programs that were first created in the 1930s to address problem drinkers in the workplace but have expanded to assist employees with all types of addiction.
• Lawyer Assistance Programs (LAPs) are state programs that offer confidential support, counseling, and referrals to treatment centers for lawyers.

In addition to these initiatives, law firms can also work to create supportive environments that are non-judgmental and encourage lawyers to seek help without fear of stigma.

The American Bar Association also collaborates with Lawyer Assistance Programs in each state and offers a helpful directory for locating these programs.

These Bar Association addiction programs are meant to support lawyers, judges, and law students who are living with either mental health issues, substance abuse issues, or both.

In order for lawyers and other legal professionals to feel comfortable in seeking addiction treatment, it is essential that reducing stigma in the legal profession becomes a priority.

One way to do this is by talking about alcohol or drug addiction more openly as it affects legal professionals, and reaching out to those who appear to need help.

Some experts also agree that alcohol should be de-emphasized or even left out altogether at legal functions or any type of social gatherings among lawyers.

The following are questions that are commonly asked by lawyers and other legal professionals who are seeking professional addiction treatment.

Getting help from a lawyer-specific rehab program shouldn’t be difficult, as long as lawyers are prepared and know where to look.

Finding lawyer rehab programs and getting started is often easier when broken down into a series of manageable steps that can be taken one at a time.

Lawyers can take the following steps when seeking rehab:

1. Reach out to a medical professional or healthcare provider that you trust if you need a referral to enter a lawyer-specific addiction treatment program.
2. Choose a program that has the treatment options and amenities that you are looking for and that offers privacy and confidentiality.
3. Take part in a substance abuse and mental health assessment.
4. Receive a customized treatment plan that is suitable to your needs.
5. Begin treatment and do your best to complete the program in its entirety.
6. Continue treatment with a quality aftercare program that helps lawyers stay on track and reintegrate back into their professional lives.

Numerous lawyer rehab resources are available specifically to lawyers who are seeking assistance for substance abuse or mental health issues.

Lawyers can also check out resources that are available to the general public, or ask a medical professional that they trust for local recommendations as well.

Resources for lawyers in need of substance abuse treatment include:

• Lawyers Depression Project
• Lawyer Well-Being Project
• Lawyer Assistance Programs Directory

Lawyers and other legal professionals may face additional barriers when seeking addiction treatment for themselves or a loved one, however, RehabNet.com is always here to assist.

We have helped people all over the United States and from all walks of life to locate the help that they need, and we are well-experienced in addressing the unique needs of legal professionals as well.

To find out more about how you can find a rehab that is specialized to your needs, regardless of what those needs may be, contact us today on our helpline.