Maryland Bar Center
520 West Fayette Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Jim Quinn
Director
1-800-492-1964
410.685.7878 ext.3041
Direct Line: 443-703-3041
jquinn@msba.org
Lisa Caplan, LCSW-C, CAC
Lawyers Assistance Program Counselor
1-800-492-1964
410.685.7878 ext.3042
Direct Line: 443-703-3042
lcaplan@msba.org
Honorable William G. Simmons
Lawyer Assistance Committee Chair
301-279-1540
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ARTICLES
Substance
Abuse
By:
Carol P. Waldhauser
The National Drug and Alcohol
Commission describes substance abuse as a national public health
problem that affects millions of people and imposes enormous
financial and social burdens on society. It destroys families,
victimizes individuals and communities, and suffocates the
educational, criminal justice, and social services systems.
It is a disease that can affect anyone, regardless of age,
cultural background or profession.
Because people
with substance abuse problems often have legal problems, the
lawyer is in the unique position to identify, facilitate and
support substance abuse treatment and recovery.
If the lawyer is
equipped with the knowledge and the skills to identify, not
treat, chronic substance abuse and/or depression, the lawyer
can become a change-agent whereby the client can make a positive
change in their life. When the lawyer suspects substance abuse,
he or she is free to, and should, ask detailed questions about
the client, the client's background and the facts and circumstances
surrounding a particular problem. Very aware of the confidentiality of
their relationship, the client usually will confide facts and
circumstances to the lawyer that a spouse, best friend or relative
may never hear. If the lawyer's suspicions are confirmed, the
lawyer then can zero in on the painful realities, as well as
the potential disasters, that can, and most probably will,
go hand in hand with the client if he/she fails to change their
negative patterns of behavior. Furthermore an informed lawyer
has an additional opportunity to suggest treatment options
and available recovery support.
A valid argument
is made that a lawyer is a counselor in law not a counselor in
substance abuse. However, it is the attorney who is usually the
first in line to assist the client through a maze of legal problems
and to guide them to a favorable solution which may include an
evaluation by a substance abuse expert. Why not at least try?
For more information
call:
Carol P. Waldhauser,
Program Administrator
(410) 685-3993/1-800-492-1964
E-mail: cwaldhauser@msba.org.
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