Have You Ever Wished...
Have you ever wished that you could sit down and talk in complete confidence with someone whose drinking problem may have been worse than yours; someone who can honestly tell you what drinking or drug abuse did to his or her practice, family and health; or perhaps, someone who will just listen with an understanding heart rather than with judgment and condemnation?
Have you ever thought what a relief it would be and at no cost, to be able to talk frankly with such a person - a person who has faced and is now solving problems just like yours?
Now you can.
Lawyers Concerned For Lawyers
Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, a volunteer group of your peers, was created to provide confidential assistance to any lawyer whose ability to practice law has been impaired as a result of alcohol or substance abuse. Estimates are that as many as 15% - 20% of the lawyers and judges in New Mexico have an alcohol or substance abuse problem. Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers uses the services of trained substance abuse professionals and includes attorneys and judges who have personally experienced and overcome problems with alcoholism/chemical dependency and who voluntarily participate in a recovery 'network'. By giving timely and confidential insight, assistance, and support, the intent of Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers is to prevent damaged careers and reputations and to assist other attorneys in the recovery of personal health and professional confidence.
Confidentiality
All requests for assistance are strictly confidential according to the Rules of Professional Conduct (Rule 16-803) and the Code of Judicial Conduct (Rule 21-300). No records are kept except for the number of calls received. Concerned others - partners, family members, friends - who seek help in dealing with someone with an alcohol or drug problem are given the same confidential treatment and assistance. No information about lawyers or judges seeking assistance is disclosed to the Bar, to any other entity affiliated with the Bar, or to anyone else.
A Concern Of The Bar And Bench
Over fifteen million Americans suffer from the disease of alcoholism- roughly 10% of the general population. The percentage of professional men and women, including lawyers and judges who are chemically dependent, appears to be even higher.
A recent study conducted by the Washington State Bar Association found that over 18% of their attorneys were dependent on or abused alcohol. The figures were lower for attorneys who had just begun practice but increased with years in practice. A full 25% of those in practice 20 years or more were afflicted, suggesting the progressive nature of chemical dependency. Other statistics include:
Georgia reports that over 80% of client security fund related disciplinary cases involve attorney substance abuse.
A California study suggests that 85% of the disciplinary actions there involved alcoholic or chemically dependent attorneys.
Recent studies indicate as many as 15% - 20% of the judges and lawyers in Texas have a substance abuse problem; and, alcoholism is the major cause of professional malpractice.
A Treatable Disease - Not A Moral Issue
Alcoholism is not a moral issue. Unfortunately, as a result of centuries of misinformation and stereotypes, many people still view alcoholism as the result of moral weakness, willfull misconduct, or simply a lack of strength of character. This attitude stigmatizes the alcoholic and prevents many who suffer from seeking the help they need and deserve.
Medical authorities have established that chemical dependency, including alcoholism, is a biogenetic disease in the same way that diabetes is a disease. Described medically, alcoholism is a chronic, progressive, incurable disease characterized by an individual's loss of control over alcohol and other mood-altering chemicals. Although incurable, alcoholism/chemical dependency is treatable. Hundreds of thousands of chemically dependent people are recovering from their disease and are leading happy and useful lives. This is a disease that knows no social, economic, or chronological barriers. It affects every aspect of a person's life: family, job, relationships and finances. The effects can be devastating, both to the individual and to those around him or her.
The stigma is not in having this disease; rather, the stigma is in failing to seek treatment.
Yes/No
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Have you ever decided to stop drinking for a week of so, but only lasted for a couple of days? Have you ever broken promises to family and friends that you would stop drinking or cut down?
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Do you wish people would mind their own business about your drinking - stop telling you what to do?
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Have you ever switched from one kind of drink to another in the hope that this would keep you from getting drunk?
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Have you ever: switched from liquor to beer or wine, made your drinks weaker, or only drank on weekends?
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Have you had a drink in the morning during the past year?
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Do you envy people who can drink without getting into trouble?
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Have you had problems connected with drinking during the past year? Problems with work, family, friends, the law, driving or others?
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Has your drinking caused trouble at home?
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Do you ever try to get 'extra' drinks at a party because you do not get enough? Have you ever had a few before you started out if you thought there would not be enough at the party?
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Do you tell yourself you can stop drinking any time you want to, even though you keep getting drunk when you don't mean to?
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Have you missed days of work because of drinking? Did you ever call in sick due to a hangover?
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Do you have 'blackouts'? A blackout is when there are drinking hours or days you cannot remember.
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Have you ever felt that your life would be better if you did not drink?
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Did you answer 'Yes' four or more times to the italicized questions?
If so, you are probably in trouble with alcohol.
Affirmative answers to even one of the questions
should 'raise a flag' and prompt a call to the
hotline 1-800-860-4914
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Committee Co-Chairs and Mission Statement
Attorney Support Group
Monthly Meetings are held every first Monday at
5:30 pm OR every third Mpnday of the month at 7:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Albuquerque.
Some Symptoms of Alcoholism Are:
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the inability to guarantee one's actions after starting to drink
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deteriorating health accompanying a pattern of heavy drinking
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impaired ability to work and concentrate
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disrupted personal relationships
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denial that drinking is a problem even when it may be obvious to others
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defiance, impatience, intolerance, impulsiveness
We Care
About You!
Lawyers Concerned For Lawyers
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