The Addicted Lawyer: How We Got Here, How to Solve It

#AddictedLawyer

2

3

4

About our presenter‣ Brian is a 1986 graduate of the University Of Pittsburgh

School of Law and licensed in the State of Texas.‣ He is in long term recovery from alcohol and drug

(cocaine) addiction as well as the eating disorder, bulimia, with a sobriety date of April 8th 2007.

‣ Brian’s journey through addiction took him through clinical depression, suicidal thoughts, a psychiatric facility, three failed marriages and a crumbling law practice.

‣ Brian speaks regularly and has written extensively on addiction and recovery. He currently serves on the board of directors of the advocacy group, Young People In Recovery. His columns have been published online and in newspapers around the world. He currently has a weekly column covering the topic of addiction on Above The Law.

‣ Brian’s new book, “The Addicted Lawyer, Tales Of The Bar, Booze, Blow & Redemption” is set for May release by Post Hill Press.

5

PHOTO

THE INSANITY OF ADDICTION

6

HOW DID I BECOME AN ADDICTED LAWYER?

7

HOW IT AFFECTED MY LAW PRACTICE

8

HOW I RECOVERED

9

Poll Slide #1Do You Know An Attorney Struggling With Alcohol or Drug

Use?

10

A. YesB. NoC. Not Sure

ABA/BETTY FORD HAZELDEN STUDY (2016)

*courtesy of Patrick Krill Esquire12,825 licensed, employed attorneys & judges

Males = 53.4%Females = 46.5%Transgender = .1%

Diversity of raceAsian 1.2%Black/African American 2.5%Caucasian/White 90.9%Latino/Hispanic 2.6%Native American .3%Other .7%Missing .5%

11

ABA/BETTY FORD HAZELDEN STUDY (2016)

12

ABA/BETTY FORD HAZELDEN STUDY (2016)

13

22.6% felt their use of alcohol or substances was a problem sometime during their lives27.6% reported problematic use prior to law school14.2% reported problematic use started during law school43.7 % reported problematic use started within the

first 15 years following law school14.5% reported problematic use started more than 15

years after law school.

Poll Slide #2 How Likely Would You Be To Utilize Your State’s

Lawyer’s Assistance Program(LAP)?

14

A. Very likelyB. SomewhatC. Not a chance

Poll Slide #3Do You Believe There Is A Drinking Culture In The Legal Profes-

sion?

15

A. DefinitelyB. SomewhatC. Not At AllD. Not Sure

CHANGING THE CULTURE

16

DEALING WITH FEAR (Stigma)

17

BEING VULNERABLE

18

GETTING HELP BEFORE YOU’RE FORCED TO

19

1.http://www.americanbar.org/groups/lawyer_assistance.html

2.http://www.aa.org/3.http://www.smartrecovery.org/

4.http://www.celebraterecovery.com/

Presenter contact info:www.briancuban.combrian@addictedlawyer.-com@bcuban on Twitter

MyCasewww.MyCase.comsupport@mycase.com800-571-8062

Contact Us

20

Thank you

21