"x x x.
Getting help
If you have a problem with addiction, the WSBA Lawyers Assistance Program is ready to provide confidential help. You can meet with a LAP counselor personally, or LAP can set you up with a peer counselor (a fellow attorney) who can speak to you about your options. Best of all, anything you tell your peer counselor is confidential pursuant to APR 19(b)(2). Don’t be afraid to ask for help and don’t be afraid to accept help when it’s offered.
But what if the problem isn’t with you? What if someone you care about or work with is struggling with addiction? What can you do to help? Those are really difficult situations, often complicated by a host of other issues. All I can say for certain is that it’s important that you don’t enable them. Don’t give them opportunities, or excuses, or resources that make it easier for them to continue using. But don’t give up on them, either. Don’t stop caring about them. Tell them their substance abuse is scaring you. Tell them you want them to stop. And remind them that when they’re ready to stop, you’ll still be there for them, because you care about them.
It can make all the difference.
x x x."
