Substance Abuse Among Lawyers: Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors
Lawyers often face high-stress situations due to heavy workloads, strict deadlines, and the responsibility of representing clients. The immense pressure to achieve positive outcomes can become overwhelming which may result in emotional exhaustion, anxiety, and burnout. Consequently, lawyers may turn to substance abuse as a temporary coping mechanism to alleviate stress, seek refuge from work-related pressures, or address emotional distress and underlying mental health issues.
To address the prevalence of substance abuse among lawyers, it is crucial to comprehend its root causes and the potential ethical pitfalls faced by attorneys. This understanding will facilitate the creation of strategic support systems and promote the significance of mental well-being in the legal field.
Join Attorney Carolyn Reinach Wolf, Executive Partner and Director of the Mental Health Law Practice at Abrams Fensterman, LLP, in New York State, Past President of the National Behavioral Intervention Team Association (NaBITA), and lecturer and consultant to healthcare, mental health organizations, and universities on the topics of mental health law issues, substance abuse, and workplace and student violence. Attorney Wolf was recognized this year as Lawyer of the Year for Health Care Law by The Best Lawyers in America®. She will lead an in-depth discussion of the prevalence and associated risk factors of substance abuse in the legal profession and will offer practical tips and strategies to address substance abuse among lawyers.
Live and Recorded CLE & CPE Webcasts in the Legal, Tax, Finance, Risk, Compliance and Human Resources Industries
Founded in November 2006, The Knowledge Group has established itself as a premier eLearning hub for Continuing Legal Education (CLE), Continuing Professional Education (CPE), and technology-focused webcasts. We equip lawyers, accountants, and industry professionals with expert-driven insights, timely regulatory updates, and practical strategies to help them stay ahead in an ever-evolving landscape.
Executive Partner at Abrams Fensterman LLP
Carolyn Reinach Wolf is an Executive Partner in the law firm of Abrams, Fensterman, LLP in Lake Success, New York and Director of the Firm’s Mental Health Law practice. She is the only attorney in the country with a family-focused practice dedicated to serving individuals and families struggling with serious mental illness and/or alcohol/drug addiction. Supported by a team of expert clinicians and her departmental attorneys, she specializes in guiding families through the complex landscape of legal issues that impact loved ones with serious mental illness and/or substance abuse issues. She also represents institutions, such as major hospital systems, mental health, healthcare and addiction professionals, and higher educational institutions. Ms. Wolf is a regular contributor to Psychology Today and was profiled by The New York Times in a 2013 story entitled, “A Guide in the Darkness,” which ran on the front page of the Sunday Edition Metro section.
