DOING NOTHING IS
NOT AN OPTION
The New York State
Bar Association
Lawyer Assistance
Program
An Awareness Test
https://www.youtube.com
/watch?v=Ahg6qcgoay4
A Stressful Profession
Adversarial System
Competitive field
Demanding Clients
Prolonged Periods of Stress
Attorneys Suffer from Higher
Rates of:
 Substance abuse
 Depression
 Suicide
 Divorce
 Reluctance to seek help
UNMANAGED
STRESS
CAUSES
PROBLEMS
What is STRESS?
In general, stress is a normal
physical response to real or
imagined threats or danger
NOTE: Stress can be difficult
to define because it is so
different for each of us
Stress is Stress – Not So!
 Stress
 PTSD
 Compassion Fatigue
 Vicarious Trauma
 Burnout
PTSD a mental health condition
caused by a terrifying event
Compassion Fatigue the emotional &
physical erosion
Vicarious Trauma a profound shift in
beliefs
Burnout the physical and emotional
exhaustion
Stress Impacts All Systems
Cognitive Symptoms
Emotional Symptoms
•Memory
•Concentrate
•Judgment
•Moodiness
•Irritable
•Loneliness
Physical Symptoms
Behavioral Symptoms
•Aches & pains
•Chest pain
•Rapid heartbeat
•Procrastination
•Relationship
•Alcohol/drugs
Staying Healthy
Awareness
Balance
Connect
Stress & Depression
First episode of major
depression is usually
preceded by a period
of intense stress
SIGNS OF DEPRESSION
 Overwhelming sadness
 Diminished interest in fun activities
 Changes in behaviors
 Fatigue
 Feeling worthless
 Poor concentration
 Suicidal ideation
SUICIDE
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS?
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU
SEE THE SIGNS?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwwCaa5xbek
Addiction
 Loss of control
 Preoccupation
 Tolerance
 Withdrawal
STRESS AND ADDICTION
Using drugs and
alcohol to cope with
stress leaves you
vulnerable for
increased use when
stress gets worse
DEPENDENCY
A disease that is:
Progressive
Persistent
Predictable
BRAIN DISEASE
Alcohol and drugs flood the
reward system of the brain:
 Produces euphoric feeling
 Changes way brain works
 Becomes a necessity and not
a choice
Attorney Fact
Lawyers suffer from
alcoholism at rate twice
that of the general
population
RETHINKING DRINKING
In general population:
35% NEVER DRINK
35% DRINK AT LOW-RISK
20% DRINK AT HIGH-RISK
10% ADDICTED/DEPENDENT
What is Risky Drinking
Risky Drinking:
More than the daily limit OR
more than the weekly limit
High Risk drinking:
More than both daily and
weekly limits
CAGE Assessment
 Control
 Annoyed
 Guilty
 Eye-Opener
WHAT IS
PRESCRIPTION ABUSE?
Taking someone else’s
prescribed medication to selfmedicate
Taking a prescription
medication in a way other than
prescribed
Taking medication to get high
The disease of addiction is
progressive & FATAL if left
untreated
Emotional
well-being &
Ethics...
What’s the
Connection?
Doing Nothing is Not an
Option
If you experience
symptoms- SEEK HELP
If you notice signs in
others- SAY SOMETHING
Courage to Confront…
1. Approach with facts ONLY
2. Remain calm and nonjudgmental
3. Discuss expectations
4. Provide resources and
referrals
5. Communicate consequences
If you see signs in self
 Call for assistance
 Like any disease the
earlier you get help
the better the results
LAP
 assists attorneys, judges, and
law students affected by
addiction, stress, depression,
and other MH issues
 assists colleagues, staff,
friends, family
LAP Services
Professional Services
Assessment
Referral
Intervention
Education
Peer Assistance - Caring, trained
attorneys who know what it’s like
and want to help
Confidentiality:
Protected by Section
499. Judiciary Law
The hallmark of our
success
Contact Information
LAWYER
ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM
1-800-255-0569
www.nysba.org/lap