A Drowning Lawyer Gets A Chance

Bill was a successful lawyer. He had started drinking as a teenager, increasing his consumption during university and law school. After starting practice, he became a social drinker. Eventually, he had a morning eye-opener, a wet lunch, cocktails before dinner, wine with dinner and then a nightcap to help him sleep. As his drinking progressed, his life was negatively affected. He lost clients because of sloppy errors and missed court dates and appointments. He was charged for alcohol-related driving offences and lost his licence. He and his wife separated a few times. Money problems began to plague him.

At his lowest point, he contacted OLAP (Ontario Lawyers Assistance Program) for help. Through the assistance of a fellow lawyer peer counselor, he began to attend AA regularly, after an intensive program in a treatment facility. The journey to sobriety was filled with slips, crashes and finally, success. OLAP is endorsed by the Law Society of Upper Canada and The Canadian Bar Association, but is separate and confidential from both. It has been established to help Ontario lawyers and judges whose professional and personal lives are threatened by the impact of problems caused by addiction issues (food, alcohol, drugs) as well as mental health issues.

I want help now
OLAP (Ontario Lawyers Assistance Program) provides one-on-one ongoing volunteer peer support and professional counselling to lawyers, judges and law students who suffer from alcohol, drug or other addictions, eating disorders, stress, burnout or mental illness. They will assist with referrals for support, assessments and counselling. If you, your partner or your spouse needs help, please call. All calls are strictly confidential. To contact the Volunteer Executive Director, call John Starzynski 1-877-584-6227. Leota Embleton, Program Manager, can be reached at 416-241-7983 or 1-877-576-6227. The OLAP 24-hour Helpline is 1-800-667-5722. For more information on OLAP and other programs that offer assistance click here.