If a lawyer with a seizure disorder misses court because of a seizure and the client complains to the Law Society, how should that complaint be handled?
If a lawyer with a substance use disorder misses court because of drug or alcohol use and the client subsequently complains to the Law Society, how should that complaint be handled?
To Jonathan Chapnick of Vancouver’s Portage Legal Services, they ought to be treated primarily the same. Chapnick has worked for unions and employers for 15 years and is an expert on workplace law and policy, especially in the area of mental health and substance use.
“Both complaints are connected to health issues, yet many lawyers and law societies might not see it that way and seem convinced that these two similar situations demand two dramatically different responses.” When asked why this is the case, Chapnick offers a simple response: “Stigma.” In 2018, Chapnick presented to the Law Society of BC’s Mental Health Task Force on how it regulates lawyers with mental health and substance use disorders. “In the legal profession, like almost everywhere else, attitudes toward substance use reflect dominant beliefs and misperceptions, including the idea that addiction is a moral failing, rather than a health or socio-political issue. People with substance use issues are imputed with undesirable characteristics, which often gives rise to a coercive and judgmental response. It’s no wonder many folks are scared to seek help.”
Substance use is one the most thorny and pervasive issues in the profession. A 2016 study by the American Bar Association/Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation found one in three practicing lawyers to be engaged in heavy drinking, based on the volume and frequency of alcohol consumed. According to the Legal Profession Assistance Conference of Canada (LPAC) various studies cite the rate of substance use as somewhere between 15% and 24%. And that’s before the pandemic. Since then, substance use and mental health diagnoses spiked further. Women’s heavy drinking in general jumped 41 percent and a 2021 survey of lawyers in California and DC also found risky/hazardous drinking significantly higher amongst female lawyers. Recognizing the need for fresh data, the Federation of Law Societies is currently surveying Canadian lawyers about mental health and substance use. Studies to date suggest the vast majority of discipline matters involve Alcohol Use Disorders.
Yet alcohol is woven into the reward system of many legal firms. Champagne corks pop with big wins. Long days crafting briefs become long nights unwinding in the bar. The work culture rewards those with more billable hours, which invariably creates more stress.
Canadian businesses, including law firms, have made significant gains supporting employees as they face mental health challenges. Yet substance use, which makes up 33 percent of all mental health issues, is still steeped in stigma. Most people so fear being labeled with a drinking problem, it’s estimated only 1 in 10 seek treatment. According to the Law Society of BC’s Mental Health Task Force, very few lawyers disclose substance use to regulatory bodies, fearing both discipline and the judgment of colleagues. “Why would they?” asks Chapnick. “The only certainty that comes with disclosure is stigma, and it plays out in at least a couple of ways.” First, social stigma operates on a group level and plays out behaviourally. Members of a large group, say a Law Society – might believe lawyers battling addiction are less competent, so they don’t refer clients to them . “That’s social stigma and it’s often scaffolded on dated, erroneous beliefs and poorly extrapolated data.”
Then there’s structural stigma, where lawyers with addictions face policies that control their behaviour, creating intrusions and impositions not placed on lawyers with other personal issues or health conditions. For instance: forcing lawyers to attend costly and invasive “Independent Medical Exams” where they have no choice in doctor or treatment and attendance is compulsory. This is not the standard in other health care. .
As a result, says Chapnick, lawyers with substance use disorders might not get the treatment or support they need. “And for some, this might mean that their health or personal circumstances will get worse and could start affecting their professional practice.” That usually results in expensive trips to rehab and the beginning of a regulatory process that many with addiction issues feel is punitive.
“Quite often this creates more anxiety and fear in the lawyer battling substance use, because the current patient experience is broken,” says Elliot Stone, the CEO of ALAViDA, Canada’s first completely virtual, evidence-based substance use treatment available directly on employees’ smartphones. “The vast majority of traditional rehabs do not yet offer a broad range of evidence-based treatment. Few have medically trained specialists and medication. Wait times range from 17 to 52 days. There is a one-size-fits-all approach, regardless of the severity of the problem.”
Damage mounts to both the employee and the workplace. Disability costs skyrocket. “These types of problems are avoidable, argues Chapnick. “Evidence supports a variety of addiction treatment options and therapeutic approaches, including early and preventative interventions that can result in positive health outcomes. But none of these options and supports really matter if employees and legal professionals can’t access them.”
“We think the key to getting in front of this tsunami of substance use, is to make a benefit available pre-disability and make it available to all employees, not just the ones with substance use challenges. We confidentially deal with all levels of substance use, mild, moderate, or severe and we help employees who just want to incorporate a healthier approach to alcohol use in their lifestyle. That in itself is de-stigmatizing,” according to ALAViDA’s Stone. “When it comes to accessing substance use treatment, we think it should be no more difficult than going to physio. The boss doesn’t need to know about an employee’s bad back; nor do they need to know about an employee’s substance use disorder unless it impacts work performance. We want to create a world where people seek help for their problem before it’s a full-blown crisis and removing stigma is key.”
Other professions with the dual duty to protect the public and support members have recognized those with substance use disorders (SUD) are subject to discriminating policies. A report coauthored by the BC Nurses’ union calls for reforming how nurses with SUDs are treated. “BC nurses with SUDs are usually offered a cookie-cutter treatment approach, regardless of the severity of the disorder, job environment and work duties … leaving nurses with SUDs at high risk of relapse.” The report describes how those nurses are asked to undergo an independent medical exam (IME), “which is often carried out by one of a small number of physicians, many of whom have a financial interest in a monitoring company.” The BC Law Society recognizes the limits of current approaches and its Benchers have adopted a recommendation for an alternative discipline process based on the report of the Mental Health Task Force.
Key to ensuring lawyers get the help they need early: education at the managing partner level that’s geared to addressing structural problems, like improving working conditions that increase lawyer’s vulnerability to substance-related harms. Firm leaders also need to adopt a more compassionate tone, so lawyers will feel more supported and less judged. The pay off in adopting a fresh approach is huge: a much healthier workforce and an astounding 565 percent return on investment. “It’s good business,” says ALAViDA’s Stone “and it’s the right thing to do.”
To learn more about evidence-based substance use treatment, contact solutions@alavida.co.
Click here to read more.
Access the ALAViDA TRAiL app.
In addition to the many barriers to accessing treatment for heavy drinking, high costs often prevent people from getting help. For those who can’t spend between $10,000 and $60,000 for a few weeks in an inpatient centre, finding a solution that is evidence-based, effective and tailored to their needs – and still affordable – can be hard.
To learn more about the coverage an insurance provider may be able to provide, we recommend contacting them directly. In case your health benefits won’t cover alcohol treatment, FSA (Flexible Spending Account) or HSA (Health Spending Account) might.
At ALAViDA, in addition to offering payment plans, a Low-Income Subsidy, and financing options, we can provide partial coverage depending on the insurance provider. If none of these apply to you, there is still the option to use your HSA or FSA. For instance, if you are with Green Shield Canada (GSC), here are the steps you would need to follow to make your claim online:
2. Select claim or service type:
Access the ALAViDA TRAiL app.
Sales Veteran Yolanda Billinkoff Joins Canadian Leading Virtual Substance Use Management Company
ALAViDA, Canada’s leading provider for substance use management that helps people get help without leaving work, stigma-free and confidentially, announced the addition of Yolanda Billinkoff as Head of Sales. Based out of Ontario, Billinkoff will report directly to ALAViDA’s CEO, Elliot Stone.
Billinkoff comes to ALAViDA with over 20 years experience in healthcare, high growth verticals and talented teams. As Head of Sales, Billinkoff will work closely with plan sponsors, insurers, and advisors to add value to the health benefits ecosystem where employees face significant barriers to seeking treatment.
“We’re excited to welcome Yolanda to our team, especially in a critical time when COVID has intensified the need for better solutions to mental health and substance use issues, particularly in the workplace” said Stone. “Her vast experience working with some of the top health tech companies will be key in helping clients who are concerned about employee health and their disability premiums during these uncertain times.”
Billinkoff was most recently the Head of Sales at Akira, a virtual primary care application that successfully sold to Telus Health. Prior to that, Yolanda was the VP of Sales at Medcan, a private health clinic specializing in executive care. Yolanda credits time spent as a support worker at Community Living Mississauga “where I really learned how to listen to what people needed,” as essential to her success in sales.
“Reducing short and long term disability claims is essential in our current economic climate. Traditional rehab often costs $30,000 a month” said Billinkoff. “ALAViDA is a mere fraction of that, and over 82 per cent of members report greater control and reduced substance use in as little as six months. That’s massive! I am excited to join ALAViDA in creating better substance use benefits with clients that generate a phenomenal 565 percent return on investment and show employees how much they are valued.”
To learn more, register for an upcoming information session with ALAViDA Health.
Limited spots available:
March 30th at 3 pm EST
April 6th at 12pm EST
About ALAViDA
ALAViDA is Canada’s first virtual care provider focused on the science of substance use management. TRAiL, our digital platform, connects members with behavioural coaches, therapists and physicians who work as a team to deliver personalized care right from your smart phone. With specialized packages for individuals, families and business, we support early intervention and help members set their own goals and achieve them – stigma-free, confidential and with 24/7 support. More than 82 per cent of members report greater control and reduced substance use in as little as six months.
Chris Gomes
ALAViDA Health
+1 888-315-4617
email us here
Visit us on social media:
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Access the ALAViDA TRAiL app.
It’s mid-winter and you notice the blank wall behind your desk, along with a messy pile of papers zig-zagging between empty coffee mugs. You feel as sluggish as the grey sky—unmotivated. You turn away from the austere wall and plant yourself on the couch, face the window and the oncoming traffic of the folks who exit your building. You might have guessed where this scene takes place—working from home.
You take a lunch break and meander through the half-deserted main street. For months, you have passed a flower shop daily and you look through the window – while stretched on the dog leash. You’ve imagined how you would jazz up your own work-from-home space with, yes, flowers. It’s a start, anyway. The pots are planted like portraits in the window: an elephant, a giraffe, a unicorn. Online, there was a hippopotamus. These lift your mood. You’d like one of each, along with a purple hyacinth for $5.95, a promising sign of spring. You want your succulents to live, no thrive. And while you’re at it, you hang a poster over the blank wall. Better. And voîla! You’re working from home inspired.
You can sense the joy and relief when the makeover is complete. Now, you feel it for yourself. But there’s more to it than how a space looks, it’s how you use it. There are other challenges that come with working from home, among them blurry lines, and structure. It helps to set up your day with breaks and dedicated work time. Small tasks might contribute to clearing your head and give you the next great idea to complete your task. If you want to bust a craving, try this:
These tasks can create a barrier, so that you’re not mindlessly consuming. They can also re-energize you, rest your eyes from the screen, clear your mind, and give you a sense of achievement. You can be imaginative – divide the sections of your day into special teas. You might even have a tea stand by your desk to save you the trouble. This can keep you away from the fridge and in a substance-free zone.
It also helps to put limits on your space and your time. Set boundaries around the couch during the day and shut off by 6:00pm (if possible) and enter into a physical activity – cooking, walking, or talking on the phone – to change your mindset. This will prevent you from falling out of the day and into a beverage. Even a lighting panel on your desk can be useful. You can turn your mindset with smart lights – blue lighting to cue that it’s evening – put your phone away, and settle into an old-school movie night in your practical and inspiring new space.
Access the ALAViDA TRAiL app.
Fraser Health Authority is expanding the tools its workers have for dealing with their own substance use amid the pandemic. Read the full article here.
Access the ALAViDA TRAiL app.
A ground-breaking project led by ALAViDA in collaboration with Fraser Health Authority, the Digital Technology Supercluster, and health care unions. Read the full article here.
Access the ALAViDA TRAiL app.
ALAViDA, Canada’s first digital substance use management platform announced today a deal with TIPI Insurance Partners to include ALAVIDA’s platform as a covered feature as part of their TIPI Care Plan employee benefits program.
TIPI Insurance Partners is Canada’s largest Indigenous owned full-line insurance brokerage offering group pension, benefits, property and casualty, and speciality insurance products for Indigenous owned and operated businesses, organizations, and projects.
“The virtualization of healthcare is a critical opportunity to remedy accessibility challenges in remote and very remote communities” said Nathan Ballantyne, CEO of TIPI Insurance Partners.
“In the context of mental health and substance abuse, access to treatment has been limited and has involved removing people from their communities and their existing support structures in a way that exacerbates rather than mitigates existing problems. We are pleased to be a leader in adopting a new approach that will enable people to access evidence-based care from within their own communities.”
Mr. Ballantyne
ALAViDA’s platform delivers personalized programming to support early intervention and substance use management strategies that include coaching and journaling, internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy to strengthen decision making and medication-mediated therapy as appropriate.
“Support for substance use has been slow to transition to a virtual environment, and yet we know that internet-based CBT is highly effective in treating a range of substance use disorders” said Dr. Diane Rothon, Co-Founder and Medical Director of ALAViDA.
“Significant barriers to treatment, including social and workplace stigma, waitlists, high costs for in-patient treatment, and geographic variability can severely limit access and cause many people to wait before seeking help, if they seek help at all. ALAViDA enables earlier intervention to support individuals by enabling private and confidential access to treatment in a stigma free virtual environment.”
Dr. Diane Rothon
82% of ALAViDA members report increased control and reduced consumption of alcohol and other substances in as little as six months.
Media Inquiries: Dougal Martin | dougal@theworkbench.io
ALAViDA is Canada’s first virtual care provider focused on the science of substance use management. TRAiL, our digital platform, connects members with behavioural coaches, therapists and physicians who work as a team to deliver personalized care right from your smartphone. With specialized packages for individuals, families and business we support early intervention and help members set their own goals and achieve them – stigma-free, confidential and with 24/7 support. More than 82% of members report greater control and reduced substance use in as little as six months.
Find out more: www.alavida.co
Media Contact: Chris Gomes | chris@alavida.co
Founded in 1999, TIPI Insurance Partners (“TIPI”) is Canada’s largest Indigenous owned full-line insurance brokerage offering group pension, benefits, property and casualty, and speciality insurance products. TIPI’s goal is to deliver cost-efficient risk management solutions for First Nations, Métis and Indigenous owned and operated organizations, businesses and projects, while striving to keep economic benefits within the communities they serve. TIPI is headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba with offices in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.
Find out more: www.tipionline.ca
Access the ALAViDA TRAiL app.
ALAViDA, Canada’s first digital substance use management platform announced today that it has executed a deal with PPI Benefits, through their Third Party Administration division Agile Benefits, to include its digital substance use management platform as a covered feature in Agile’s Thrive benefits product for small and medium size employers.
“COVID-19 has exacerbated a costly yet largely invisible problem in the workplace. Increased reliance on substances as a coping strategy in these stressful times will have significant impacts on employees and their families, as well as employers in the form of chronic illness, increased healthcare costs and disability claims. And yet targeted solutions to address this growing problem were largely absent from the benefits marketplace. We are proud to be a leader in delivering accessible and stigma-free support for employees as part of a comprehensive approach to mental health and wellness included with Thrive.”
Ed Hofstede, President, PPI Benefits and Agile Benefits
“Ten percent of employees will experience challenges with substance use, but only 1 in 10 will access treatment. Together with PPI Benefits we are able to fill a gap in employee benefits programs and provide access to support in a safe, accessible and cost-effective way” said Elliot Stone, Founder and CEO of ALAViDA.
ALAViDA’s platform delivers personalized programming to support early intervention and substance use management strategies that include coaching and journaling, internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy to strengthen decision making and, where appropriate, pharmacology to manage impulses.
“Treatment approaches for substance use have been slow to adapt to the virtual environment, and yet we know that internet-based CBT is highly effective in treating a range of mood disorders” said Dr. Diane Rothon, Co-Founder and Medical Director of ALAViDA.
“Significant barriers to treatment, including social and workplace stigma, waitlists, high costs for in-patient treatment, and geographic variability can severely limit access and many people wait until their substance use becomes unmanageable to seek help, if they seek help at all. We enable earlier intervention to support individuals in meeting their own goals – whether they want to reduce their substance use, or stop altogether.”
Dr. Diane Rothon
82% of ALAViDA members report increased control and reduced consumption of alcohol and other substances in as little as six months.
Media Contacts: chris@alavida.co | dougal@theworkbench.io
ALAViDA is Canada’s first virtual care provider focused on the science of substance use management. TRAiL, our digital platform, connects members with behavioural coaches, therapists and physicians who work as a team to deliver personalized care right from your phone. With specialized packages for individuals, families and business we support early intervention and help members set their own goals and achieve them – stigma-free, confidential and with 24/7 support. More than 82% of members report greater control and reduced substance use in as little as six months.
Find out more: www.alavida.co
Agile Benefits is a Third Party Administration (TPA) division of PPI Benefits Inc. Agile’s digital benefits platform brings together state-of-the-art products and solutions with preferred pricing to assemble an overall offering that cannot be matched by any single provider. Agile works with top Canadian insurers and employee service providers to deliver superior value to employers and an enhanced experience for administrators and employees. By consolidating resources in one convenient portal, employees get what they need when they need it most. The value-rich Thrive benefits plan is delivered on the Agile Benefits digital platform.
Find out more: www.agilebenefits.ca
Access the ALAViDA TRAiL app.
As most people are currently staying in, with school closures, lack of work or working from home, parents are now asked to wear two, sometimes three hats in a day; being a teacher, a parent, and a provider. This means school, chores, and work are now all taking place at home, at the same time.
To help you juggle between looking after your kids, your home, yourself, and work, here are some guidelines we encourage you to follow:
Let children know what is going on and that it may sometimes get a little messy as you are dealing with many different things at the same time.
We hope this will help your family get through these challenging times, and remind you that you are not alone in this. There are tons of resources that can help you maintain your mental and physical health, as well as your partner’s and kids’.
Here is a list of additional resources that may help:
Daily learning projects with Scholastic
Lessons where children explore the world with Project Explorer
Creative learning activities for younger kids with Barefoot Books
Classroom guides and printables with Nomad Press
Games to learn geography with Geoguessr
Crafts tutorials and project ideas with Project Kid
Here are links for school resources for some of the provinces:
British Columbia
Ontario
Ontario for Grades 9-12
Alberta
Alberta for grades 4-9
Links to resources for different Alberta school authorities
Access the ALAViDA TRAiL app.
ALAViDA is a virtual care treatment program that helps people get back to a healthier relationship with substances, thanks to the combination of therapy, medication and technology. On our blog, you will find stories, testimonials, evidence-based information and useful tips on how to prevent and overcome substance abuse, while sustaining a healthy body and mind.
The coming of September reminds us of the ever-changing nature of seasons. Autumn, the start of school, and a new work year ( the end of the carefree months of summer) crop up on us whether we’re prepared for transition or not. Any time of transition brings the potential for challenge, whether we struggle with the new demands and routines that September brings or with the oncoming of colder weather. In any case, preparing ourselves for whatever challenges the new season presents us with is our best shot at navigating these changes with ease. In doing so, we emerge happy, healthy, and empowered to continue living life in alignment with our goals.
Anytime the world around us shifts, our lifestyle and drinking habits are at risk of doing the same. In some cases, autumn may come with fewer get-togethers than Summer and therefore, decreased opportunities to drink. However, for others, the pull back into a routine can increase stress, decrease overall life satisfaction, and spark triggers that lead to drinking habits that are not aligned with our best intentions. Bringing our awareness to this moment of transition is our first step to navigating it successfully.
Beyond awareness of the undeniable change in season, how can we transition smoothly out of summer – without falling into the all-too-common cycle of work, drink, eat, sleep, repeat? Consider these simple tips to help you release stress, anxiety or the winter blues and remain committed to a healthier lifestyle – with less or without alcohol.
Extracurriculars aren’t only for kids. As adults, we can expand our social circle in new ways (where alcohol is not a common denominator) by joining an adult-class in any number of areas. Consider trying your hand at painting, pottery, dance, or climbing. Even a weekly scheduled documentary night at-home can be considered an extracurricular. Find an activity that opens your mind and sparks your curiosity or creativity.
Set up a quiet area in your home, adorning it with blankets, cushions, and candles, and use this space to reset after a long day of school or work. Take five minutes or more daily to come to this space and mindfully focus on your breath or stretch your body. If the mind jumps in with thoughts of the summer, socializing, or a cold beer, acknowledge those thoughts and focus on the activity you’re doing – being gentle with yourself is a way to remind you that there may be a time and place for those things, but right now is not dedicated to any of those. As you truly nourish yourself in this quiet and mindful way, you’ll gain a clearer frame of mind that will help you to stay committed to your healthy lifestyle habits.
Summer is light, airy, and easy-going, but that doesn’t mean that autumn is the opposite. Focusing on the stressful and less-than-fun demands that this new season sometimes bring might spark our cravings for things that don’t really serve us. Instead, direct your attention on all that soothes you at this time of year. Consider the characteristics – both literal and figurative – of autumn: shedding, letting go, slowing down, and storing energy. Can you witness the beauty in these qualities and honour where they exist in you, too?
Regardless of what September means or looks like for you, we all undergo some type of transition at this time of year. Becoming more aware of how this time of transition challenges you personally and preparing to manage this with any of the above tools, you’ll find yourself better equipped to navigate whatever changes are coming your way. Embrace autumn as an opportunity – rather than exclusively as a challenge – and you’ll find renewed confidence in the path you are forging.
[Editor’s Note: The author of this post is a content contributor to Alavida, and this contributor was paid for their writing. The opinions, views, results and experiences are theirs alone.]
Access the ALAViDA TRAiL app.
Gillian Sanger is a yoga and meditation teacher, holistic nutritionist, and creative non-fiction writer. Committed to self-inquiry and to meditation in its many forms, she practices living life in alignment with the natural world, both inside and out. She seeks guidance and direction from her heart and from her highest self, strengthening her knowledge and intuition through her personal spiritual practice and through the written word.