Six years ago, I made a terrified and desperate call to LCL. I worried that my husband’s career would be ruined forever if anyone knew his secret. And, personally, I feared that he would leave our family if we confronted his alcoholism. LCL protected our privacy, gave us the courage to deal with the situation, and led our family through a successful intervention. Every day we thank LCL for … [Read more...]
On the Verge of Dying by Suicide
Depression and suicidal ideation have been part of my life since my childhood. However, I did not begin therapy until the age of 16. During my twenties, I made at least a dozen suicide attempts. My psychiatrist was my life coach and helped me manage my depression. When my psychiatrist died, I was devastated. A new psychiatrist and a therapist saw me through more difficult times as a depressive … [Read more...]
The First Seeds of Realization
I had my first experience with an LCL volunteer 25 years ago. My firm was a hard-drinking one. To a practicing alcoholic like me, a newly minted lawyer, it was perfect. But the level of drinking going on concerned a partner, and he asked an LCL volunteer to come to our annual fall retreat and talk about alcohol abuse in the legal profession. The LCL volunteer, Bill, delivered a dispassionate, … [Read more...]