title: Treatment for attorneys with substance related and co-occurring psychiatric disorders: demographics and outcomes.
abstract: The following paper is the result of a retrospective study of clinical case files of legal professionals treated for substance-related and co-occurring psychiatric disorders at a recovery center specializing in the care of impaired professionals. Attorneys traditionally differ from healthcare professionals in two important ways: first, they prematurely leave treatment in greater numbers, and second, they suffer a higher incidence of co-occurring psychiatric disorders. Sixty percent of the attorneys presented with concurrent psychiatric conditions (Axis I and Axis II), compared to 46% of their healthcare colleagues. More than half of the lawyers treated had a prior history of criminal arrest. Sixty-four percent completed treatment compared to an 86% completion rate for medical professionals. The completion rate for lawyers improved significantly following institution of a dedicated impaired attorneys' program under the direction of an attorney/clinician in October of 1999. Prospective studies are needed to determine if attorneys are at greater risk of developing substance related and/or psychiatric disorders than are other professionals of similar demographic backgrounds and what specialized intervention, treatment, and case management services might be necessary to assure equivalent outcomes.
authors.affiliation: HealthCare Connection of Tampa, Inc., USA.
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Sweeney
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Molea
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003710:Demography; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033241:Lawyers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome