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.”

Stress, Anxiety, and Substance Abuse as a Cause of Impairment in Lawyers

"One of every four lawyers suffers from stress, and out of 105 occupations,
lawyers rank first in depression. In addition, a disproportionate number of
lawyers commit suicide. These are some of the troubling conclusions that
can be found in various studies of addiction and depression." Reports Robert
Stein, ABA Executive Director, in the June 2005 issue of the ABA Journal.

The costs of stress, alcoholism, and drug abuse is very high for the legal
profession. The American Bar Association and all state bar associations
have provided "lawyer assistance programs" that can help to treat
"impaired" lawyers. Most of these programs also address the issues
of clinical depression and disorders related to gambling, sex, and eating.

If you do not realize the significance of this troubling situation, consider
being represented in your important legal matters by an impaired
attorney. It could cost you thousands of dollars or even your freedom
if you or your interests are not protected by competent legal professionals.

In the state of California, there is a requirement for Continuing Legal
Education (CLE's) which includes a minimum of 1 hour every 3 years
on stress management or substance abuse for all licensed, practicing
lawyers to maintain their license to practice law.

The practice of law is inherently stressful. Much of the time lawyers find
themselves battling with other legal professionals for their clients best
interests. Trail lawyers must think quickly and communicate with
precision and skill in the courtroom. Corporate lawyers must be concerned
with legal details that require focused attention and great care.

The competition to be successful as an attorney can lead to stress,
anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.

People preparing to become attorneys often struggle with stress in law
school and in the multi-day testing that is required to "pass the bar.
" The stressful issues that can begin in law school can set up future
practicing attorneys for bad habits in coping with the stress and anxiety
of the profession. Some law schools offer coursework for life skill
management to better prepare their students to be able to perform
at the highest level for their clients and for their quality of life.

Because lawyers are trained to be precise and use their cerebral abilities
for day to day work, they are often in denial regarding the needs for
stress and anxiety management until bad habits are established or
symptoms cause significant challenges. Even managing general partners
in major law firms have great professional and personal concerns regarding
"impairment" within their organizations. An accidental mistake or oversight
can open a law firm to their own costly law suits for malpractice.

Many concerned managing partners are requiring that their attorneys
practice preventive measures to control stress, anxiety, and depression.
This can be found in group trainings, EAP's or individual coaching.
Coaching can also offer enhancements to time management, improved
communication skills, and long term career planning. An interesting
and unexpected benefit to this training and coaching is that this preventive
work can actually save lawyers time and energy by helping to minimize
the impact of distractions due to stress. This improves performance and
can help to increase profitability. Key personnel are important assests
and professional coaching or mentoring programs have huge cost benefits.

Everyone, even lawyers, require professional assistance to get through
the difficult periods. Lawyers just seem to require more attention as
they work to survive, at the highest functioning levels, in the "meat grinder"
of their professional life. Most people who know practicing attorneys know
that their attorney family members or friends can benefit from a sense of
humor and better stress management. In increasing frequency, law firms
are using retreats to help de-compress and then get down to business
planning.

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