DE-LAP
dot
dot
DE-LAP
DE-LAP DE-LAP
 


Confidential Delaware
Direct Line: 302-777-0124 or
Toll Free: 1-877-24DELAP

Carol P. Waldhauser,
Executive Director
301 N. Market Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
cwaldhauser@de-lap.org

James R. Adams, Esquire
Committee (Volunteer) Chair
Department of Justice, DNREC
391 Lukens Drive
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 395-2684
James.Adams@state.de.us

 

 

SUBSTANCE ABUSE/DEPENDENCE

   

SIGNS OF LAWYER/JUDGE IMPAIRMENT

Signs that suggest a Lawyer/Judge may be impaired due to a disease and/or other condition affecting an individual’s health may vary according to the type of problem, its severity and the stage of development.

ATTENDANCE PROBLEMS:

  • Often late and/or leaving early
  • Taking “long lunches” and/or not returning after lunch
  • Missing appointments or scheduled appearances
  • Taking frequent days off without good reason

PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS:

Missed deadlines  
Inadequate follow-through 
Decreased efficiency  
Lack of attention 
Poor judgment   
Inability to concentrate  
General difficulty with recall   
 
Difficulty getting started
Does not return phone calls
Complaints from staff and/or clients
Poor performance in afternoon
Blaming others for mistakes
Making excuses for poor performance                                   

GENERAL BEHAVIOR AND ATTITUDE PROBLEMS:

Deterioration of personal appearance or hygiene; large weight gain or loss
Persistent complaints of not feeling well
Withdrawal or avoidance of others
Insomnia, falls asleep at work, complains about not sleeping
Unable to retain, or often fires, secretary, associate or other staff
Overreacts to real or imagined criticism; other problems with supervisor
Disagreements with or unable to work with colleagues; uncooperative
Irritability; angry outbursts; hostile attitude; rapid mood swings

IDENTIFYING ALCOHOLIC BEHAVIOR:
Source:  Alcohol and Drug Administration

  • Individual has a high breathalyzer test result
  • Individual attends office meetings, court appearance, or other functions after drinking
  • Individual drinks in the morning or during business hours
  • Individual drinks substantial amounts of alcohol and drinks often
  • Individual becomes defensive about drinking
  • Individual experiences memory loss (blackouts)
  • Individual experiences increased or decreased tolerance
  • Legal problems in combination
  • Individual has made past attempts to stop drinking
  • Individual makes statements about his/her drinking that signals a drinking problem

The De-LAP Zone: Woman and Alcohol – Chilling Out vs. Chilling Realitypdf icon

Identifying Addictionpdf icon

Complete checklist for identifying illness based impairment.pdf icon

Researchers Identify Alcoholism Subtypes, NIH News (June 28, 2007)

Every aspect of an addicted or depressed attorney’s life is affected. If you recognize the warning signs in yourself or a colleague, call The Delaware Lawyers Assistance Program (De-LAP)  (302) 777-0124 or toll-free 1-877-24DELAP or e-mail cwaldhauser@de-lap.org.

photo of alcohol
Additional Resources:
Alcoholics Anonymous
(AA) 212-870-3400
International Lawyers in A.A. (ILAA)
Al-Anon

Co-Dependents Anonymous

Understanding the 12-Steps
Finding A Support Group
Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA) 310-534-1815

 

pdf icon

Some documents are provided in Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format. If you do not have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software, please visit the Adobe site to download it.

 
301 N. Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, email: cwaldhauser@de-lap.org
CONFIDENTIAL DELAWARE DIRECT LINE 302-777-0124