NCSB Journal Summer 2026

Endnotes 1. aa.org/the-twelve-traditions.

I (incorrectly) believed I had nothing of significance in common. It was only when I finally asked for help from my fellow lawyers that I was able to see that I was not so terminally unique.” The evidence is in. Substance use disorders are chronic conditions conferring a remarkable burden of disease, disability, and cost to our country and more specifically, our profession. Twelve-step programs, like AA, are free, community-based peer support resources and are the most commonly sought source of help for alcohol and other drug problems. Most inpatient and outpatient substance use disorder treatment programs utilize some form of twelve-step facilitation (TSF) in their treatment programs. Rigorous randomized controlled trials and studies examining the efficacy of AA and TSF interventions began around 1990. Study after study indicates that AA and TSF interventions are at least as good as other clinical modalities and therapeutic approaches. However, when it comes to long-term remission and stable sobriety, AA and TSF interventions outperform everything else (for different reasons for different groups). As part of a self-regulating profession, the LAP is concerned with long-term recovery and the ongoing stability and sobriety of lawyers and judges. Mark Twain once said stopping smoking was the easiest thing he ever did— that he’d done it hundreds of times. The LAP is interested in helping folks stay stopped if they have a substance use disorder. Moreover, the LAP is interested in maintaining and fostering the general well-being of the profession, because happy, healthy, balanced lawyers make better lawyers. The LAP’s “evidence” that AA and TSF approaches work, particularly the peer support aspect, can be found in our long-standing vol unteer network. We have volunteers who have been with our program for 20, 30, even 40 years, and most of them are former LAP clients. While not “scientific,” our experience with LAP clients and volunteers exemplifies what the scientific data now says. n NC LAP is a confidential program of assistance for all North Carolina lawyers, judges, and law students, which helps address problems of stress, depression, alcoholism, addiction, or other prob lems that may impair a lawyer’s ability to practice. For more information, go to nclap.org or call: Cathy Killian (Charlotte/areas west) at 704-910 2310, or Nicole Ellington (Raleigh/down east) at 919-719-9267 .

Board Certified Addiction Psychologist 4. bit.ly/4sE1dgI.

5. I am omitting research citations for brevity. All research citations can be found in Dr. Kelly’s article on our web site. 6. Topics of discussion in AA meetings regularly include strategies for how to avoid triggers or how to navigate social events where there will be a lot of drinking. Sug gestions like “take a different route home (to avoid pass ing a favorite bar),” “take your own car (to an event so that you can leave at any time),” and “take a sober friend” are examples of cognitive behavioral techniques. 7. youtube.com/watch?v=X6kWygqR0L8. 8. nclap.org/recovery-story-being-a-lawyer-saved-my-life.

2. The list is long. There are 128 additional anonymous 12-step fellowships: i.e., Narcotics Anonymous, Gam blers Anonymous, Codependents Anonymous, etc. 3. John Kelly’s full title is chief, Division of Addiction Treatment and Prevention, Mass General Brigham AMC, Dept of Psychiatry Elizabeth R. Spallin professor of psychiatry, Harvard Medical School Founder and director, MGH Recovery Research Insti tute Founder and director, National Center on Youth Pre vention, Treatment, and Recovery President, American Board of Addiction Psychology

Upcoming Appointments Anyone interested in being appointed to serve on any of the State Bar’s boards or commissions should complete the “Boards and Commissions Interest Form” at bit.ly/NCSBInterestForm. The deadline for completion of the interest form is July 6, 2026. Your information will be included in the agenda materials for the quarterly meeting of the council in July 2026. The council will make the following appointments at its July quarterly business meeting: Board of Legal Specialization (three appointments; three-year terms)—There are three appointments to be made by the State Bar Council. Mary S. Pollard and Misty Dideo are eligible for reappointment, and Matthew J. Ladenheim is not eli gible for reappointment. The Board of Legal Specialization, established by the North Carolina State Bar in 1983, certifies lawyers in 15 areas of law to enhance legal services and improve lawyer competency. The program identifies lawyers with special knowledge and proficiency, aiding the public in finding suitable legal services, and encourages continuing legal education among lawyers. NC Dispute Resolution Commission (one appointment; three-year term)— There is one appointment to be made by the State Bar Council President. Paul J. Ekster is eligible for reappointment. The North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission is charged with certifying and regulating private mediators who serve the courts of this State. The commission also recommends policy, rules, and rule revisions relating to dispute resolution in North Carolina’s courts; provides support to court-based mediation programs; certi fies mediation training programs; serves as a clearinghouse for information about court-based mediation programs; and assists other state agencies interested in or pro viding dispute resolution services to their constituencies. NC General Statutes Commission (one appointment; two-year term)—There is one appointment to be made by the State Bar Council President. Joseph J. Kalo IV is eligible for reappointment. The General Statutes Commission consists of 13 members appointed by various persons and entities. See N.C. Gen. Stat. 164-14. One appointment is made by the president of the State Bar. The duties of the commission are set forth in NC Gen. Stat. 164-13 and include advising and cooperating with the Legislative Services Office in the work of continuous statute research and correction for which the Legislative Services Office is made responsible by G.S. 120-36.21(2). n

27

THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE BAR JOURNAL