Long hours and stress drive lawyers to drink and drugs

Times Online

From The Times

October 6, 2008

Frances Gibb, Legal Editor

A culture of long hours and stress are driving increasing numbers of lawyers to drink and drugs, both within and outside the workplace.

A survey to be published this week shows that alcohol abuse is "endemic" and use of hard drugs such as cocaine is becoming more prevalent, particularly in big City law firms.

One partner claims he knows "people who just make a phone call from their office and nip down to reception to pick up their delivery" -- something that happens in every big law firm, he claims.

The survey, by the magazine Legal Business, also says that there is evidence of "cocaine clubs" in law firms' basements and of partner-led games of poker and taking cocaine with clients. But it also finds that law firms are ignorant or indifferent to the problem. One lawyer is quoted: "I spanked £100,000 on cocaine in one year and no one noticed.

"The legal profession, unlike other classic professions such as medicine and teaching, does not give a damn, as long as you are profitable."

Neil Brener, a consultant psychiatrist with the Priory Group, said: "One eighth of my entire practice is made up of members of the legal procession. Substance abuse is absolutely endemic."

The findings are backed by statistics from LawCare, a charity that helps lawyers with work-related health problems such as stress, depression and addictive illnesses.

It says 30 per cent of male lawyers and 20 per cent of female lawyers drink to excess. This year it has opened 369 new cases, which already easily exceeds last year's 301. It handles 1,500 calls a year. Three in four of its calls are from lawyers suffering from severe stress.

Hilary Tilby, chief executive of LawCare, told The Times: "Some 15 per cent of our case files relate to drink or drugs [among barristers the figure is 32 per cent], and that proportion has remained fairly steady. But this is of course only the tip of the iceberg. Many lawyers do not come to us at all, or go elsewhere."

Drug addiction was a small percentage compared with alcohol, she said, although it was increasing.

"For a start, it is illegal. But, certainly anecdotally, there is a huge drug issue in the legal profession and everywhere. Once, after dinner you'd be offered After Eights -- now it's the mirror with lines of cocaine."

Alcohol Concern has also showed that the death rate from liver cirrhosis among lawyers is double the national average. The average age of callers to LawCare is dropping, with a sharp increase in calls from trainees with drink problems.

Jim Baxter, editor of Legal Business, said: "It's no secret that alcohol abuse has always been a problem for the legal profession, with lawyers celebrating a big deal with a case of champagne or drinks. But our survey has found that lawyers are increasingly turning to hard drugs, both in and outside the workplace."

Two thirds of the 100 firms surveyed about their policies on drug or drink abuse refused to answer some of the questions, he said. Only half had a formal drug or alcohol policy, and 9 per cent had taken action against an employee for being under the influence of drink or drugs.

The survey also found that 84 per cent of firms do not have a random drug-testing policy, with 16 per cent refusing to answer the question.

"Lawyers are in demanding and stressful jobs, working long hours and earning very large salaries," Mr Baxter added. "But unlike banks and other financial institutions, lawyers seem to be left to their own devices."

Firms did not have to act as moral guardians but they did have "clear responsibility" towards their lawyers, he said. "It is a big problem and it is getting worse."

Dr Brener added: "Alcohol is culturally embedded within the legal profession, and the Bar is particularly awash with it."

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