I didn't think about food the way that normal eaters think about food. My thoughts of food were as consuming as an alcoholic’s thoughts about alcohol. Once I admitted that I am powerless over food and that my life had become unmanageable, I took the first step on my road to recovery.

I ended up in a lot more legal trouble as a result of my drinking than many of my friends. In the five years that led up to law school, I made repeated bad decisions regarding my alcohol use.... [Eventually] the realization of having to disclose my years of drinking problems to the National Board of Bar Examiners began to sink in.

I was ill-equipped to deal with my emotional issues and, without LAP, I honestly do not know how I would have moved through my last two years of law school or the Bar Exam. I owe a lot of my success today to Lawyers’ Assistance Program.

My dilemma was how to change or get help because I was surrounded by people who were thinking like me, acting like me – they were just like me.

With the help of Lawyers’ Assistance Program, I was admitted to the Illinois Bar. I have married a wonderful woman. And I am committed to my ongoing sobriety

The main issue with bipolar illness is the lack of stability. It is like trying to pin the tail on the donkey for those suffering and for those around them. Will the real person please stand up?

I went to the LAP twelve-step meeting. I was nervous because these were lawyers and I was just a law student. Instead, everyone was loving and welcoming. They were happy to see me. It is still my favorite meeting.

During a time in my life when honesty and respect were in short supply, LAP's help allowed me to continue working, stay healthy, and eventually put my family back together and our legal crisis behind us.

I'm very grateful that someone cared enough about me to recommend me to LAP.  I truly believe it saved my life.

I called LAP because I wanted help.  I didn't want to drink anymore, but I didn't know how to stop.  It was a huge relief knowing I had reached out to someone who could help me.