Long hours and stress drive lawyers to drink and drugs

Ref: Times Online
Frances Gibb, Legal Editor

A culture of long hours and stress are driving increasing numbers of lawyers
to drink and drugs, both within and outside the workplace.

A survey to be published this week shows that alcohol abuse is “endemic”
and use of hard drugs such as cocaine is becoming more prevalent,
particularly in big City law firms.

One partner claims he knows “people who just make a phone call from their
office and nip down to reception to pick up their delivery” — something that
happens in every big law firm, he claims.

The survey, by the magazine Legal Business, also says that there is evidence
of “cocaine clubs” in law firms' basements and of partner-led games of poker
and taking cocaine with clients. But it also finds that law firms are ignorant
or indifferent to the problem. One lawyer is quoted: “I spanked £100,000
on cocaine in one year and no one noticed.

“The legal profession, unlike other classic professions such as medicine and
teaching, does not give a damn, as long as you are profitable.”
Neil Brener, a consultant psychiatrist with the Priory Group, said: “One
eighth of my entire practice is made up of members of the legal procession.
Substance abuse is absolutely endemic.”

The findings are backed by statistics from LawCare, a charity that helps
lawyers with work-related health problems such as stress, depression
and addictive illnesses.

It says 30 per cent of male lawyers and 20 per cent of female lawyers
drink to excess. This year it has opened 369 new cases, which already
easily exceeds last year's 301. It handles 1,500 calls a year. Three in
four of its calls are from lawyers suffering from severe stress.

Hilary Tilby, chief executive of LawCare, told The Times: “Some 15 per
cent of our case files relate to drink or drugs [among barristers the figure
is 32 per cent], and that proportion has remained fairly steady. But this is
of course only the tip of the iceberg. Many lawyers do not come to us at all,
or go elsewhere.”

Drug addiction was a small percentage compared with alcohol, she said,
although it was increasing.

“For a start, it is illegal. But, certainly anecdotally, there is a huge drug
issue in the legal profession and everywhere. Once, after dinner you'd be
offered After Eights — now it's the mirror with lines of cocaine.”

Alcohol Concern has also showed that the death rate from liver cirrhosis
among lawyers is double the national average. The average age of callers
to LawCare is dropping, with a sharp increase in calls from trainees with
drink problems.

Jim Baxter, editor of Legal Business, said: “It's no secret that alcohol
abuse has always been a problem for the legal profession, with lawyers
celebrating a big deal with a case of champagne or drinks. But our survey
has found that lawyers are increasingly turning to hard drugs, both in
and outside the workplace.”

Two thirds of the 100 firms surveyed about their policies on drug or
drink abuse refused to answer some of the questions, he said. Only half
had a formal drug or alcohol policy, and 9 per cent had taken action
against an employee for being under the influence of drink or drugs.

The survey also found that 84 per cent of firms do not have a random
drug-testing policy, with 16 per cent refusing to answer the question.
“Lawyers are in demanding and stressful jobs, working long hours and
earning very large salaries,” Mr Baxter added. “But unlike banks and
other financial institutions, lawyers seem to be left to their own devices.”
Firms did not have to act as moral guardians but they did have “clear
responsibility” towards their lawyers, he said. “It is a big problem and
it is getting worse.”

Dr Brener added: “Alcohol is culturally embedded within the legal
profession, and the Bar is particularly awash with it.”