Understanding Codependency
The practice of law is demanding and the legal environment is often stressful. It is also work that is not done in isolation, it involves working with others, helping clients solve their problems, working in concert with other lawyers and support staff, working within a court system, a registry system, or a regulatory system. We have plenty of opportunity to work with others who may be suffering from some illness or who may be having problems.
Research by Brewster indicates that 31.9% of lawyers come from family systems (parent, spouse or child) with an alcohol problem compared with, Pharmacists 27.6% and Physicians 25.3%. (And for the general population 14%). Research from Johns Hopkins University (1990) shows law to be the number one (1) occupation for clinical depression. Members of the legal profession are diagnosed as clinically depressed 3.5 times that of the general population, at about 14%. Studies in Washington, Arizona and Wisconsin puts the figure at 20% and in Florida at 32%.
Substance abuse among lawyers is very high. About 10% of the general adult population are dependent on alcohol. Washington State found that among lawyers practicing from 2 to 20 years, 18% were dependent on alcohol and for those practicing more that 20 years the figure was 25%. Overall the statistics show that a very high percentage of lawyers will suffer some serious illness and distress.