| ULHL is available to help lawyers whose professional lives are threatened by addiction.
Millions of Americans suffer from alcoholism and other drug dependencies.
Some surveys show a 20 percent rate of substance abuse/dependencies among lawyers and judges. (The U.S. population at large is estimated at 10 percent.)
The alcohol or drug dependent attorney or judge is unlikely to seek assistance as the disease progresses. Most often, family, partners or other attorneys are aware of the problem and become more concerned as the disease progresses.
ULHL CAN HELP
The program is voluntary and helps lawyers who suffer from alcohol and chemical dependency by referring them to treatment and providing continuing support. The person seeking assistance does so confidentially and anonymously.
The following questionnaire will help assess whether an alcohol and/or chemical dependency problem exists.
Three or more symptoms in any one section indicates a problem in that stage. | | Stages/symptoms
Early stage Are you able to drink more without feeling the effects? Have you ever had "blackouts" i.e., when there are hours or days you cannot remember? Do you desire to continue use when others stop? Are you uncomfortable in situations where the substance is not present? Are you preoccupied with use? Is there an urgency to use after a period without? Do you have feelings of guilt about use/morning after regrets? Do others express concern about your use of substance?
Middle stage
Do you lie about your use? Do you hide your use? Is there an increase in memory blackouts? Do you take the substance in larger amounts, or over longer time periods, than intended? Is there an increasing dependence on substance? Do you exhibit grandiose, extravagant, aggressive or violent behavior? Do you suffer from persistent remorse or regret? Have there been unsuccessful efforts to control use or abstain from use? Have you changed the substances you use, or manner of use, in an attempt to control? Do you have frequent intoxication or hangover symptoms that interfere with expected performance in major role obligations? Do you have excuses about use? Do you use alone? Do you have legal problems related to use? Do you have work/school problems related to use? Do you have problems with family/significant others that are related to use? Do you have financial problems related to use? Do you have physical problems related to use (includes accidents/injuries)? Do you continue to use despite knowledge of problems caused, or exacerbated by use? Have you lost or changed friends? Have you attempted a geographical cure? Do you protect your supply of substance? Do you give up or reduce important social, occupational or recreational activities because of use? Have your promises and resolutions failed? Have you become completely dishonest?
Late stage
Have you had an overdose experience? Do you now experience lengthy periods of use or binge patterns of use? Have your ethics deteriorated? Do you have tremors and use substances to relieve withdrawal symptoms? Has your job, family, finances or legal status been more severely affected recently? Do you neglect food, hygiene or health care? Do you have indefinable fears or paranoia? Has your tolerance for drugs/alcohol decreased with little or no change in level of use? Have you physically deteriorated? Are you unable to initiate action? Are you obsessed with use? Are your alibis exhausted? Are you ready to admit defeat?
Think about your answers and consider these facts:
Alcoholism/drug dependency is a treatable disease.
Early intervention with alcoholic problems often leads to complete recovery.
Alcoholism/drug dependency is a chronic, primary and progressive illness.
It gets worse; never better.
Alcoholism is a primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. The disease is often progressive and fatal.
If you, or someone you know, needs special, confidential assistance, help is available through Utah Lawyers Helping Lawyers.
For more information, contact:
Utah Lawyers Helping Lawyers 115 South Main Street, Suite 520 Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 579-0404 or (800) 530-3743 | |
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