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Research has shown that approximately 10 percent of the U.S. population has a substance use disorder. Of the 2.3 million individuals in American prisons and jails, more than 65 percent meet the criteria for addiction. Approximately 2 million individuals with a substance use disorder pass through the prison system each year, and for many of these individuals, this is a revolving door.
Upon being released from prison, many individuals struggle to integrate back into society because of the stigma and hardships they face. Trouble finding a job, broken relationships with friends and family, unable to attain a place to live, and having a criminal record can be like having a scarlet letter. The stigma associated with drug charges can leave individuals feeling marginalized and isolated in society, which can lead many to violate their parole, landing them back into the prison system or even dead.
A study from Washington State prisons of over 30,000 individuals found that during the first two weeks after release, the risk of death rates from either suicide or overdose was increased by 13 percent. Civilians are not the only ones who are affected by substance use disorder stigma. This stigma is affecting attorneys, police officers, and government officials; the main difference is that lawmakers are often able to hide their addiction and act above the law to prevent having a criminal record.
Substance abuse stigma among attorneys
According to a 2016 study conducted by the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation and the American Bar Association, 21 percent of lawyers qualify for an alcohol use disorder. Even though the survey was confidential, 75 percent of the attorneys surveyed declined to answer questions related to drug use, suggesting fear of professional loss and stigma. Addiction treatment experts who specialize in treating professionals, including lawyers, have noticed two significant trends in the legal profession: opioid and Xanax addiction. Adderall and cocaine are not far behind, and for the majority, these addictions usually begin with prescription medications and later transition to street drugs.
Attorneys are not only ashamed to admit they have a substance use disorder but are even more ashamed to enter into treatment. As a result, many attorneys continue to live with a substance disorder, in shame, while representing clients who may spend the rest of their lives in prison. Is it ironic that an attorney who is addicted to alcohol or illicit substances is pressing drug charges against a civilian?
Shying away from the law
Substance abuse strongly impacts attorney decision making, as more than half of disciplinary proceedings and malpractice claims against attorneys involve substance abuse. Many attorneys know how not to get caught for their drug use, know how to navigate the legal system, and may even be friends with the local police and judges, which all contribute to the ability to use drugs without facing any legal consequences. Statistics on alcohol use and drug use among attorneys are rarely published due to the stigma surrounding this issue.
However, shedding some light on the reality of addiction within the legal profession can hopefully break the stigma and encourage more legal professionals to seek the help they need. Addiction doesn't make one a bad person, regardless of their profession or role in society; however, when one is hiding their addiction and potentially jeopardizing the safety and well-being of their clients, this is where the line should be drawn.
According to Dr. Daniel Angres, an addiction professional at Northwestern University, “Law firms have a culture of keeping things underground, a conspiracy of silence.” He said, “There is a desire not to embarrass people, and as long as they are performing, it’s easier just to avoid it. And there’s a lack of understanding that addiction is a disease.”
Substance abuse stigma among police officers
Another controversial topic regarding addiction is the relationship between substance abuse within the police force. Police officers have a duty to protect and serve all civilians, but this duty becomes impaired when they are under the influence. Police officers, like many first responders, have a difficult job with long hours, substantial obligations, and a routine of vigilance punctuated by violence.
As a result of the stress of the job, many police officers develop a tough exterior marked by periods of hostility and aggression. They are unable to talk about their internal battles and instead turn to alcohol or drugs. Similar to attorneys, police officers are less likely to address their substance use disorder and seek the treatment they need out of shame and fear they may lose their job. Addiction and mental health problems are ravaging the police force, leading to an increased rate of suicide among police officers:
- During the 2018 calendar year, 167 law enforcement officers tragically took their own lives.
- Police officers are at a higher risk of suicide than any other profession. The number of police officers who die by suicide is more than triple that of officers who were fatally injured in the line of duty.
- Police officers consume alcohol at a rate of double that of the general population, according to a report by The Journal of Law Enforcement.
- In addition, 15 percent of officers who attempted suicide had a history of alcohol abuse.
- A 2011 study published in The American Journal of Addiction surveyed more than 700 officers and found 18.1 percent of male officers and 15.9 percent of female officers reported experiencing adverse consequences from alcohol use.
- Nearly 8 percent of the officers met the criteria for alcohol abuse or dependence. Substance use disorders among police officers are estimated to range between 20 and 30 percent as compared to under 10 percent in the general population.
When police work is above the law
Many cops who work in narcotics or who work undercover have access to illegal street drugs, which can help fuel their addiction. Police officers are also at a high risk of injury on the job, and some may take painkillers to relieve any physical pain to help speed up the healing time. Similar to attorneys, police officers are often protected by the law, know how to navigate the legal system, and have an unspoken pact among fellow officers, making it easier for them to get away with drug abuse. It is ironic for a police officer who is battling a heroin addiction themselves to arrest a civilian on a routine traffic stop for possession of illicit drugs.
The legal system in the United States can be very corrupt, especially when it comes to drug charges. Lawmakers would send people to jail for addiction rather than integrate them into addiction treatment and community service programs, which goes back to the trending term, “treatment not prisons.” Punishing individuals for drug crimes leads to a revolving prison door and does not only wreak havoc on their mental health and the well-being of their families but is also costing the United States millions of dollars.
Imprisonment is more expensive than drug treatment. When politicians, police officers, and attorneys are brushing their substance abuse disorders under the rug, but are still prosecuting civilians for drug charges, this seems to be a double standard. Nobody should be above the law, nobody should be able to act in a corrupt fashion, and substance abuse should be looked at as a disorder rather than a criminal sentence.
Cops, politicians, and lawyers should encourage each other to speak out about their struggles with addiction and seek professional treatment. Not only for their own sake but also as a way to form an alliance with civilians who are also struggling with a substance use disorder.
