(334) 517-2238 or (334) 517-2216 | 24-hour hotline (334) 224-6920
Suicide Prevention | Addiction | Depression | Anxiety & Stress | Cognitive Impairment & Decline
ALAP provides confidential support and assistance, referrals for evaluation and treatment, monitoring for accountability and compliance, and ongoing guidance and support for any lawyer, law student or judge that maybe in need.
The Purpose
The Alabama Lawyer Assistance Program (ALAP) has confidentially serviced over 1,000 lawyers in the state of Alabama since the program started in 2000. ALAP provides support and assistance, referrals for evaluation and treatment, monitoring for accountability and compliance, and ongoing guidance and support for any lawyer, law student or judge that maybe in need. Dr. Rachel Fry, a clinical psychologist in Birmingham, Alabama, states in her article entitled, “Masking the Struggle,” that the two biggest reasons lawyers don’t seek help are fear and of someone finding out and confidentiality. Fry reports that lawyers tend to have a certain personality characteristics that can play a role in how they manage stress that can be damaging and self-sabotaging.
In a landmark study published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine in February of 2016 entitled, “The Prevalence of Substance Use and Other Mental Health Concerns Among American Attorneys” researchers found that 15 bar associations (Alabama included) participated, and almost 15,000 lawyers from 19 states completed an anonymous survey addressing alcohol use, drug use, and symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and other mental health concerns. The study revealed that 28% reported concerns with mild or high levels of depression and 21% to 36% revealed a score consistent with a substance use disorder. ALAP is intended to assist those in need to get back to their peak level of performance and thrive in their profession.
ALAP understands…
- alcohol/drug addictions are progressive illnesses that only get worse without help. ALAP offers confidential intervention and assistance before ethical conduct is compromised or discipline warranted.
- that depression is a major illness and that the rate of depression in members of the legal community is substantially higher than that of the general population. ALAP offers intervention, monitoring and referral resources for legal professionals suffering from depression and stress.
- educating the bench and bar about the signs and symptoms associated with these illnesses promotes awareness and encourages an atmosphere conducive to getting help. ALAP offers educational programs to local bar associations, judicial conferences and law schools throughout the state.
Additional Services
Various services to help lawyers, judges and law students who suffer from addictions and other types of mental health disorders.
The Foundation
The Alabama Lawyer Assistance Foundation is a nonprofit under the management of an elected Board of Directors.
Jeanne Marie Leslie Service Award
The purpose of this award is to honor a state bar member, a volunteer or a committee member who has shown exemplary dedication to assisting those in need in the area of substance abuse or mental health. This award is granted by the Board of Bar Commissioners of the Alabama State Bar upon the report of the Alabama Lawyer Assistance Program (ALAP) Committee. There is no requirement that this award be presented on an annual basis or that it be limited to one recipient a year. Jeanne Marie Leslie is the former director of the Alabama Lawyer Assistance Program and her legacy continues on through this award.
For more information, contact Joycelyn Hill at joycelyn.hill@alabar.org.