Lawyer assistance programs are stepping up efforts to reach attorneys with alcohol, drug and mental health problems amid signs that pressures in the profession may be taking a rising toll.

Alcohol is “far and away” the drug of choice for attorneys, judges and law students who are referred for substance abuse treatment, experts say. An ABA survey published last year found that 76 percent of issues addressed by lawyer assistance programs were related to alcohol abuse, followed by prescription drug abuse at 9.8 percent. Many clients are self-referred to LAPs and addiction treatment centers, but judges, disciplinary panels and employers refer many others.

“More and more we are seeing people who are, shall we say, given an ultimatum to get some help or not have their job,” said Patrick Krill, director of the legal professionals program at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.

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