Page 27 - January 2020 BarJournal

FEATURE
MENTAL HEAL COLUMN
COLUMN ETHICS PERSEPECTIVETH & WELLNESS

She never revealed to them how much she
drank. She didn’t believe that drinking was the
problem. When You Need Straight Answers
One morning, she had a horrible hangover,
and couldn’t imagine living this way any
longer. She called OLAP and told them the
truth about her drinking. She went in for an
assessment, and has been in recovery ever
since.

D.H., from alcoholic to crackhead
D.H. was a party girl all through high
school and college. She never suffered any
consequences from it, so she never thought she
had a problem. To her, partying was the only
source of fun and entertainment. She went to
law school as a non-traditional, did well, but
her drinking progressed.
As she continued to party, someone White-Collar Criminal Defense and Investigations
introduced her to cocaine, and she started
using it habitually. She started to miss work. PAUL M. SHIPP BRENT M. BUCKLEY J. TIMOTHY BENDER
She knew she needed help, but was worried shipp@buckleyking.com buckley@buckleyking.com tbender@buckleyking.com
about her job. She explained her problem to
her law firm, who asked OLAP for help. She 216.363.1400 | ATLANTA CLEVELAND PHOENIX
went to rehab, believing that she was a drug
addict, not an alcoholic.
D.H. stopped drinking and using for a
couple years, but nothing changed inside of
her. She never surrendered to her addictions.
After a couple years, she became bored and
irritable. She was at a function and decided to Florida. Before getting on the plane to rehab, I am so proud of these women for
have a drink. She told herself she didn’t have a she smoked crack, but the high wore off as sharing their stories. They are helping our
problem with alcohol, just drugs, and that she she was on the plane. She started to panic and profession understand mental health and
obviously didn’t have a problem since she had thought about reality. Will she ever be able to substance use disorders. They are giving
been sober for two years. practice law again? How could treatment work others the courage to seek help. Let’s help
Soon, her drinking progressed to drinking this time, if it didn’t work the first time? How each other. If you see colleagues who are
to black out. She had no control over how can she cope with no numbing agents? struggling, reach out to them. If you feel
much she drank. She picked up where she left When she got to treatment, she slept. When you need help, ask for it. It’s not a sign of
off. She then rediscovered cocaine. Instead of she woke up, things were different. She started weakness; it’s a sign of courage. Don’t be
seeking help, she progressed to using crack to feel safe and that she could control this afraid to share your story.
cocaine. She could not stop, and she didn’t disease. After 30 days of in-patient treatment, If you find yourself stressed, anxious, or
care. She used crack to cope. D.H. started her sober life. overwhelmed, seek help. The Ohio Lawyers
She got divorced, and the only thing that There are several common themes in Assistance Program helps lawyers, judges
mattered to her was getting high. She lied to each story. and law students manage life’s stresses.
people and thought to herself that she would • Many addicts live in denial that they can OLAP has saved lives, careers, marriages
get it together tomorrow, that way no one control their addiction, but the disease and families. All inquiries are confidential.
would know. She was afraid to seek help. Being progresses until you seek help or hit rock (800) 348-4343 ohiolap.org
a crackhead was embarrassing. She thought bottom.
she would be judged and would never be able • Willpower doesn’t help with mental health
to recover. She couldn’t admit that she was issues or addiction. You cannot will yourself Scott R. Mote, Esq. is the Executive Director of
powerless and out of control. to feel better. the Ohio Lawyers Assistance Program (OLAP).
D.H. would stay up for five or six days • Many suffer from dual-diagnosis, which If you are an attorney who is stressed, anxious,
getting high. One day she looked in the mirror begins as a mental health issue and leads to or overwhelmed, OLAP can help. OLAP has
after smoking crack and knew that she needed drinking or drug use to cope. saved lives, careers, marriages and families. All
help to save her life. She contacted OLAP, • Addiction is a disease that you cannot inquiries are confidential. He can be reached
which recommended a treatment center in control. at (800) 348-4343 or ohiolap.org.

JANUARY 2020 CLEVELAND METROPOLITAN BAR JOURNAL | 27