AN ATTORNEY'S PERSONAL STORY OF ADDICTION AND RECOVERY
October 12, 2021
Hosted by Dr. Patricia Halligan
[Download MP3] [itunes] [Bookmark Episode]
Guest Information
Episode Description
Matt is a 40 year old attorney and partner in a well respected law firm. He developed addictions to alcohol, cocaine and opioids. His life at work and home became unmanageable and out of control. After multiple outpatient treatments failed, Matt entered an out of state residential treatment program that offered a specialized track for impaired professionals. Matt discusses the Hazelden/American Bar Association research that shows that attorneys are at a much higher risk for mental health and addiction problems than the general population. He shares his thoughts on how the legal culture has historically set attorneys up to develop addiction. What is it about practicing law and the legal culture that puts an attorney at risk for Substance Use Disorders and Workaholism? He outlines what the American Bar Association and some law firms are doing to increase awareness of the problem and focus on prevention and treatment of mental health and addiction problems. Matt outlines the reasons many attorneys keep their addiction secret and avoid entering treatment. He shares how he structures his practice to optimize work-life balance and sustain his recovery from addiction and offers advice to both people graduating from law school and attorneys who are struggling with an addiction problem currently. Matt shares his life changing experience in rehab and the importance of 12 step programs in his recovery. He explains the reason behind setting up an AA meeting specific to attorneys and his role in his State Bar Association's Lawyer's Assistance Program.
RECOVERY…THE HERO’S JOURNEY
Archives Available on VoiceAmerica Health and Wellness Channel
RECOVERY: THE HERO’S JOURNEY provides best practice information and support to people struggling with Substance Use Disorders/Process Addictions and Prescription Drug Dependence. We confront the stigma surrounding Opioid Use Disorder and Benzodiazepine Dependence, understanding that both are the direct result of an overprescribing epidemic. We discuss Buprenorphine, a first line, long term treatment for Opioid Use Disorder. We validate people struggling with Benzodiazepine Dependence (ie-Xanax/Klonopin), and offer resources and a recovery plan.
Experts explore Eating Disorders, Sex Addiction, PTSD, and the effects of today’s Cannabis on teens and young adults, offering guidance and resources to individuals struggling with these issues and their families. This podcast gracefully combines interviews with experts in the field and patient stories of recovery and redemption. The show is about connection, reclaiming personal integrity and hope.
Dr. Patricia Halligan
Dr. Patricia Halligan is an Addiction Psychiatrist, who specializes in the treatment of patients diagnosed with Substance Use Disorders, Prescription Drug Dependency and Process Addictions. She completed a residency in Psychiatry at Cornell-The New York Hospital, followed by a Fellowship in Addiction Psychiatry at the Medical University of South Carolina in 1998. Dr. Halligan is double board certified in General Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry and is a trained CSAT (Certified Sex Addiction Therapist). Believing in the healing power of connection, she trained at the Center for Group Studies in NYC and runs modern analytic group therapy for people in recovery.
Dr. Halligan has been prescribing Buprenorphine in her private practice since 2003 and continues to be a strong advocate for patients with Opioid Use Disorder throughout the Opioid Epidemic. She has spent the last two decades in the trenches of two tragic epidemics caused by the overprescribing of both Opioids and Benzodiazepines.
Aware that the lack of addiction training in medicine has largely contributed to both epidemics, she has resolved to devote some time to teaching. She creates CME accredited addiction education videos and training workshops for health care providers. Dr. Halligan decided to create this show to support people who are taking the hero’s journey into recovery and their families. You’ll hear interviews with experts surrounding best practices, and embrace the elimination of stigma.
Episode Directory
November 2021
October 2021
- 10/26/2021: MDMA-ASSISTED THERAPY FOR PTSD Listen Now
- 10/19/2021: INTERNET GAMING DISORDER Listen Now
- 10/12/2021: AN ATTORNEY'S PERSONAL STORY OF ADDICTION AND RECOVERY Listen Now
- 10/5/2021: Smacked..A Story of White Collar Ambition, Addiction, and Tragedy Listen Now
