High stakes, long hours, big egos… Does this sound like another day at a law office or a recipe for addiction? Occupational wellness is import for everyone, especially lawyers. On this episode of RecoveryPeople, Bree Buchanan, the Director of the Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program, talks about why the prevalence of addiction amongst attorneys is about twice that of the general population (18% vs 10%) and why concerns with alcohol problems increase with each year someone is in law schools and/or practices as an attorney. According to one study, 8% of prelaw students, 15% of first-year law school students, and 24% of third-year law students reported concerns with alcohol problems. In addition, 18% of attorneys who practiced for 2 to 20 years reported drinking problems. And the prevalence of drinking problems increase to 25% for attorneys who practiced for over 20 years. Fortunately, law students, attorneys and judges in Texas can find the confidential help they need to overcome the health hazzards of their profession through the Texas Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP) by calling at 1-800-343-8527 any time of day or night or by going to www.TexasBar.com/TLAP to learn more. The Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program has a statewide network of attorneys in recovery provide peer support and together with the Texas Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers they provide self help support groups. Check out their youtube video AND, podcast series Episode 1: The Last Drink. A Texas lawyer explains how he reclaimed his life from alcohol and helps others to do the same. Listen now Episode 2: Depression’s Black Hole – A Texas lawyer explains how clinical depression nearly claimed his life, and how he found hope to carry on.]]>
