Unveiling the Behavioral Health Crisis: Attorneys' Struggles in the United States
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A new study reveals a concerning amount of behavioral health problems among attorneys in the United States. The most significant findings are the rates of hazardous, harmful, and potentially alcohol-dependent drinking and high rates of depression and anxiety symptoms. The study found that the positivity rate for the legal profession was reported to be almost double that of a broad, highly educated workforce screened positive on the same measure. It also found interesting differences among attorneys at different stages of their careers. Previous research had demonstrated a positive association between the increased prevalence of problematic drinking and an increased amount of years spent in the profession. Levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among attorneys reported here are significant with a sizeable chunk experiencing mild or higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. In terms of career prevalence, a majority reported concerns with anxiety at some point in their career and 46% reported concerns with depression. Mental health concerns often co-occur with alcohol use disorders. Furthermore, these mental health concerns manifested on a similar trajectory to alcohol use disorders, in that they generally increased as both age and years in the field increased. At the same time, those with depression, anxiety, and stress scores within the normal range endorsed significantly fewer behaviors associated with problematic alcohol use.
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While some individuals may drink to cope with their psychological or emotional problems, others may experience those same problems as a result of their drinking. Attorneys working in private firms experience some of the highest levels of problematic alcohol use compared with other work environments, which may underscore a relationship between professional culture and drinking. Encouragingly, many of the same attorneys who seem to be at risk for alcohol use disorders are also those who should theoretically have the greatest access to, and resources for, therapy, treatment, and other support. Whether through employer-provided health plans or increased personal financial means, attorneys in private firms could have more options for care at their disposal. However, in light of the pervasive fears surrounding their reputation that many identify as a barrier to treatment, it is not at all clear that these individuals would avail themselves of the resources at their disposal while working in the competitive, high-stakes environment found in many private firms. Compared with other populations, we find the significantly higher prevalence of problematic alcohol use among attorneys to be compelling and suggestive of the need for structured and profession-specific interventions.
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Attorneys experience problematic drinking that is hazardous, harmful, or otherwise generally consistent with alcohol use disorders at a rate much higher than other populations. These levels of problematic drinking have a strong association with both personal and professional characteristics. Depression, anxiety, and stress are also significant problems for this population and most notably associated with the same personal and professional characteristics. The data reported here contribute to the fund of knowledge related to behavioral health concerns among practicing attorneys and serve to inform investments in lawyer assistance programs and an increase in the availability of attorney-specific treatment. Greater education aimed at prevention is also indicated, along with public awareness campaigns within the profession designed to overcome the pervasive stigma surrounding substance use disorders and mental health concerns. The confidential nature of lawyer-assistance programs should be more widely publicized.
