| THE ONTARIO LAWYERS’ ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 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 eventually lost his license. He and his wife separated a few times. Money problems began to plague him. At his lowest point, he contact OLAP (Ontario Lawyer's Assistance Program) for help. Through the assistance of a fellow lawyer peer counselor, he began to attend AA meetings regularly after an intensive program in a treatment facility. The journey to sobriety was filled with slips, crashes and finally success. OLAP was 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. If you are Bill, or know a Bill, do not hesitate to call OLAP.
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