A Leader’s Duty to Act: Untreated Addiction and Chronic Stress in the Legal Profession
If you’re collapsing under chronic stress then you’re not alone. This happens to water towers too:http://www.youtube.com/embed/ggg3C87UVCY?feature=oembed
I hope those crumbling towers ignite a chuckle and lighten the moment for you because laughter reduces stress and that may just make you more receptive to this message:
“Lawyers have twice the addiction rate of the general population and almost four times the rate of depression of all professions.” — Hazelden
The demands of the profession makes restructuring priorities to achieve a life-work balance difficult as the practice of law is exponentially more difficult and stressful now than at any time in history.
Law firm leaders and lawyers have a responsibility to their impaired colleagues, partners and the public to act when a colleague is at risk.
Self-awareness is key. Untreated addiction and chronic stress facts:
- Leads to the same dangerous emotional depths as any chronic disease.
- Difficult for lawyers to admit they’re overwhelmed or reach out for help.
- 60% of malpractice and 90% of disciplinary issues involve alcoholism.
This come from Link Christin and Nadia Greenspan of Hazelden. Hazelden is one of the largest and most respected private not-for-profit alcohol and drug addiction treatment centers. Link is JD, MA, LADC serving as Hazelden’s Director of the Legal Professionals Special Addictions Program and Nadia is the Regional Outreach Manager. These are two brave souls with guts that I had the pleasure to hear speak. Each fought and won their own battle with addiction: Link’s story:
- Was a “high-functioning” trial lawyer for 25 years in Pittsburgh
- Lost marriages, money, professional opportunities and good health while denying he had a problem
- Started using prescription meds with alcohol and everything crashed down within weeks
- Made the decision to get help and entered an addiction treatment center
The same qualities that help us solve the problems of clients can block us from getting the help we need for ourselves. — Link Christin
Nadia’s story:
- Struggled with weight her whole life and finally got to 240 lbs in her mid-twenties
- Learned about a 12-step program to address food addiction
- Lost the weight within 18 months of following a food plan and working the 12-steps
- Treats food addiction as a chronic disease that she’ll manage for the rest of her life
Attorneys have a higher than average level of job dissatisfaction compared to other professions. –Nadia Greenspan
Cindy Pladziewicz is a psychologist and attorney who coaches and consults with lawyers and law firms. She currently serves on the advisory board of The Council on Alcohol & Drug Abuse. Cindy points our that lawyers have one of the highest rates of suicide and depression of any profession.
The encouraging news is that Cindy sees lawyers stepping up with discretion, respect and compassion to support their partners and colleagues who ask for help with depression, alcoholism or other mental illnesses. She has,
…Personally witnessed firms supporting lawyers who have returned from treatment to excel in their careers and ultimately becoming firm leaders.
The example Cindy provides is Hunton & Williams. That firm “is a real leader in supporting attorneys who are impaired by substance abuse or addiction. In fact, George Hetrick, a recovering alcoholic and partner, personally oversees the firm’s efforts.” Way to lead large, George… Remember that a lawyer impaired by alcohol, drugs or mental illness may be unaware or unwilling to acknowledge the problem. Cindy stresses that, “it takes guts, skill and compassion to intervene effectively with an unaware or uncooperative colleague.” That’s the time when consulting with an expert like Cindy, Link or Nadia will help. Please take the time to get to know these three folks. They have a wealth of resources, knowledge and expertise to share. Thanks Link, Nadia and Cindy for caring so much.