36% of attorneys report struggling with alcohol abuse.
70% regularly use stimulants (e.g., 3 or more cups of coffee a day or other OTC/Rx stimulant).
50% use sedatives.
21% use opioids.
31% report depression.
65% experience semi-regular to regular anxiety.
20% suffer from severe anxiety.

These numbers are far higher than in the general pop. The legal profession is sick, toxic, stressed, and unhealthy. The truth is most lawyers hate their work… and the numbers cited above make that clear.

likehelpful
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Most stress is caused by partners creating unnecessary fire drills and not being able to fully detach on vacations or planned time off imo… and in BigLaw it’s the norm to never be able to count on a night or weekend off. The schedule unpredictability wreaks havoc on our central nervous systems because we are in constant fight or flight so it’s not a large leap to think of why a lot of attorneys turn to stuff like this to calm our brains down/detach

likesmart

Yes, that’s correct. Super-high accountability with low control over outcomes will do that to a person.

like

Weird to me to group 3+ cups of coffee in with OTC/Rx stimulants. Different ballgames, IME.

I feel grateful to be nearly 6 years sober from alcohol and hard drugs, and to have a job that isn't entirely soul-crushing.

likesmart

Fair point. My guess is that perhaps 3+ cups suggests dependency or self-medicating?

Good

funnylikesmart

Wat? Plz seek help.

like

Yes I regularly use stimulants as prescribed by my psychiatrist. I also love my job. My medication not only helps me do a better job at work, but also helps me to be more attentive to the people I’m with when I’m not working. But I guess it secretly means I’m a victim of a sick and toxic profession…

likesmart

What about coke?

Edit: Referring to the soft drink as I enjoy a cold one daily.

likefunny

That clarification was definitely necessary

likefunny

Enjoying an after-work bourbon as I read this . . .

like

Why do you think the causation runs the way you seem to assume it does?

like

Does the legal industry cause these issues or does it attract people with personality types that makes them more disposed to develop them?

I've always wondered.

like

There’s probably bi-lateral correlation. However, I think it’s primarily the profession. There’s sufficient data to suggest that lawyers didn’t have these issues before joining the bar. And, many of them enjoy better quality of life after leaving the law.

and i’m just bipolar

So, what should be done?

Getting rid of the billable hour would be a huge start. Wouldn’t fix everything, but it would substantially reduce the problems.

likefunny

We learned the stats, at least for alcoholism, in law school. At least I did. And I saw it. It's a rough way to earn a living unless you've got the needle in the haystack job.

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