There was a long term study that has been undertaken about which profession were most prone to stress and alcohol problems.
In the study lawyers were shown to have twice the national average deaths due to alcohol and alcohol related problems. it also showed that 30 percent of male lawyers abuse alcohol, females 20 percent. When you compare this with a similar study done in the US, where 15-18 percent was recorded, it becomes apparent that being a lawyer is clearly a very highly stressed business with lawyers and barristers often damaging their own health.
I guess when you think about it they work long weeks, usually have to juggle being a business person and a good confident lawyer, both of which are pretty specialized. Mix in there the weight of peoples expectations and the pressure to win whichever DIY divorce case comes your way and you pretty much have a walking ticking time bomb..I’m surprised the figure isn’t double that.
I have always wondered what is is about being a lawyer that draws people in. You are pretty much looked on by society as being stinking rich and living a fairly care free life, the reality is much more difficult.