Substance Abuse

Substance abuse is a term used to describe the continuum of problems related to misuse of substances (alcohol, illicit or prescription drugs, food) that are potentially addictive.

Ongoing substance abuse can become substance dependence which, if untreated, can develop into addiction. The disease of addiction is progressive, chronic and, without effective intervention, can be fatal. Like other chronic diseases, it can be managed with ongoing support and the maintenance of a healthy – physical, mental and spiritual – lifestyle.

TLAP's staff can provide counseling for the lawyer in crisis, as well as referrals to professionals in the substance abuse field who are familiar with the challenges of the legal profession. Also, TLAP can provide referrals to professionals who treat process addictions, such as gambling, internet, sex and pornography.

Resources Regarding Substance Abuse [PDFs]

• Attorneys and Substance Abuse (Butler Center for Research, Hazelden Fdn.)
  
• Definition of Recovery
  
• Broken Dreams, Mended Lives. President's Opinion, Bob Black (TBJ Feb. 2012)
  
• Demystifying 12 Step Programs
• Facts and Fiction about Alcoholism
  
• Is Addiction Really a Disease?
• Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers Support Groups
  
• The Science of Addiction. National Institute on Drug Abuse.
  
• Trauma and Alcohol and Drug Use. Peter Goetz, MFT (San Francisco).

Links [Websites]

General

• Addiction and other Mental Illnesses
• Addiction in Women. January 2010, Harvard Health Publications Harvard Medical School. Posted with permission by Harvard Health Publications.
  
• Addiction Science: National Institute on Drug Addiction
  
• U.T.'s Addiction Science and Research Center
  
• Seeking Drug Abuse Treatment: Know What to Ask
  
• Substance Abuse and Attorney Discipline, The Bencher (Inns of Court Journal) 2011. Posted with permission by the American Inns of Court.
  
• Taking the Edge Off: Assisting Attorneys in the Throes of Addiction, The Bencher (Inns of Court Journal) 2011. Posted with permission by the American Inns of Court.
  
• The Science of Addiction

Alcohol

• Alcoholics Anonymous – Meetings in Texas
  
• Boston University Alcohol Screening
  
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
  
• Rethinking Drinking: Alcohol and Your Health
  
  

Eating Disorders

• Anorexia Nervosa and Related Disorders
  
• Eating Disorders
  
• Eating Disorder Self Evaluation

Process Addictions

• National Council on Problem Gambling
  
• Primer on Gambling Addiction. Posted with permission by the Pennsylvania LAP.
  
• Sexual Addiction Screening Test
  
• Society for Advancement of Sexual Health

Smoking Cessation

• Smoking Cessation