Addiction And Evolution: Implications For Self-Care For Attorneys

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Although addictive problems gather substantial media attention as deviations from a well-lived life, addictive behavior is normal human survival behavior. Addictive problems can arise from the original addictive behaviors (eating, sex, seeking attention) or the substances (e.g., alcohol, cannabis, heroin) or activites (e.g., gambling, pornography, video games) that have become available in civilization (i.e., beginning about 11,000 years ago). 

This presentation will summarize the evidence about the prevalence of substance problems in attorneys, review why traditional addiction treatment (with its emphasis on powerlessness and surrender to a higher power) may not be a good fit for many attorneys, propose alternative addiction treatment approaches which are scientifically valid but not well known, and propose ideas and techniques (with a primary emphasis on self-care) for keeping addictive behavior (e.g., moderate drinking) from becoming an addictive problem or reducing mild or moderate addictive problems from becoming severe. 

Learning objectives:

• To define the terms addictive behavior and addictive problem

• To recall 3 components of how to moderate alcohol use

• To recall how to conserve willpower by managing one's environment

• To recall the 3 aspects of stress management.

 

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