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Substance Abuse in Nursing: Recognizing the Signs and Finding Help

All too often, the pressures of nursing can lead to addiction. Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system. But that responsibility can be overwhelming. Rehabs that treat professionals recognize the unique challenges that people in demanding jobs, like nurses, face during recovery. 

Understanding Substance Abuse in Nursing

Between 2-10% of nurses experience addiction.1 Another 14-20%  experience unhealthy drug or alcohol behaviors without developing dependency. But many researchers believe that the actual number is higher, due to underreported addiction cases.2 And experts say this issue is  getting worse, partly due to COVID-19 and the ongoing nursing shortage

Whys Some Nurses Develop Substance Use Disorders

Nursing is a very difficult profession.3 Nurses work long hours, performing physically and emotionally exhausting tasks. And despite their efforts, they get less recognition than doctors. 

Certain factors increase the risk of addiction among nurses:

Stress and Burnout Among Healthcare Professionals

As physician Lewis Thomas said, a hospital “is held together, glued together, enabled to function as an organism, by the nurses.”3 Despite how essential their work is, many nurses experience unsustainable working conditions:4 

  • Long shifts, including 12-hour, overnight, or on-call shifts
  • Short-staffed work environments
  • Physically and emotionally taxing duties, like lifting patients and making emergency clinical decisions
  • Lack of control over their schedule
  • Unsafe workplaces with a high risk of contamination and violence
  • Financial insecurity 
  • Lack of support from administrators 
  • Constant exposure to pain, trauma, sickness, and death

Consistently living with this level of stress takes a toll on your body and mind. For some nurses, using drugs or alcohol to cope with stress5 is the path of least resistance. For example, if you’re working overnight shifts, you may not be able to have dinner with a supportive friend. But you might have easy access to prescription drugs. 

Some nurses also use drugs in order to get their jobs done. If you work in a short-staffed clinic, you might use stimulants to boost your energy6 so you can meet your patients’ needs.

People with different nursing specialties face different risks of substance abuse.7 For example, surgical, hospice, home health, and long-term care nurses are more vulnerable to addiction. These jobs are hugely demanding, and the people who do them experience high stress.

Mental Health and Emotional Strain

This stress can quickly lead to burnout. In fact, 50% of nurses experience burnout8 symptoms:

  • Emotional exhaustion
  • Lack of motivation and productivity
  • Decreased quality of life
  • Increased desire to quit their jobs

Burnout can lead to compassion fatigue.9 This condition is common for healthcare professionals. Ongoing exposure to patients’ suffering can cause serious physical, social, and emotional symptoms:

  • Constantly feeling on edge, or feeling numb to everything
  • Exhaustion and difficulty sleeping
  • Irritability
  • Difficulty making decisions, caring for patients, and feeling empathy for others
  • Feeling disconnected from colleagues, family and friends
  • Isolating yourself 

Compassion fatigue, stress, and burnout all increase your risk of addiction.10 This is exactly what happened to Shannan Fiorenza, a nurse in addiction recovery.11 After a kidney stone operation, she received prescription painkillers. She explains:  

“When I got those pain pills and they hit my bloodstream, it really helped me feel numb. And I think that’s what I was looking for, a way to escape at that time. I quickly destroyed my life.” 

Like Shannan, many nurses self-medicate with drugs or alcohol to manage mental health symptoms. 

How Common Is Substance Abuse in Nursing?

Nurses are at a higher risk of developing certain mental health conditions:12

It’s very common for anyone with these diagnoses—including nurses—to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. And in the short term, substances can help manage or numb your symptoms. But over time, that behavior often leads to addiction. 

Increased Access to Medications 

Nurses also have access to medications that most non-healthcare workers don’t. Studies show this increased access may make nurses more vulnerable to substance abuse.13 What’s more, nurses are at a higher risk of addiction to prescription medications than the general public. 

It’s common for healthcare professionals to diagnose and treat themselves.14 But without a supervising prescriber, you’re responsible for monitoring your own drug use. This makes it all too easy for nurses to take drugs in secret, leading to a higher likelihood of substance abuse amongst nurses.

Signs and Symptoms of Substance Abuse in Nursing Professionals

Many nurses know how to hide their drug and alcohol use.15 And without specialized training, many healthcare professionals miss the signs of substance abuse in their colleagues. It’s important to learn how to recognize these symptoms to keep both patients and nurses safe.

Many nurses show behavioral changes as their addiction develops:16

  • Mood swings
  • Withdrawal from colleagues, friends, and family
  • Increased absences and tardiness
  • Defensiveness or dishonesty
  • Aggression
  • Changes in appearance
  • Frequent use of gum or mints
  • Heavy intoxication at work events like holiday parties
  • Expressing paranoia, feelings of pain, or depression

You might also notice physical symptoms:17

  • Dilated pupils or bloodshot eyes
  • Slurred speech
  • Unsteady gait
  • Rapid weight changes
  • Lack or excess of energy
  • Runny nose
  • Tremors

In more severe cases, nurses with addiction show signs of impaired practice:18

  • Frequent errors in administering, ordering, recording, or disposing of medications 
  • Patients complaining about reduced pain relief
  • Consistently offering to administer medication for other nurses
  • Showing up at work on days off
  • Frequently leaving to use the bathroom, or go to the parking lot

If you notice signs of addiction in a colleague, it’s important to report it. Often, nurses will only receive treatment after a colleague does this. In many U.S. states, for example, state boards require healthcare professionals to report any signs of substance abuse19 from a coworker. 

What Happens When a Nurse Develops a Substance Use Disorder?

Nurses with substance use disorders face unique consequences and barriers to treatment. 

Patient Care From Nurses Experiencing Addiction

In healthcare settings, nurses provide most of the direct care to patients.20 Because a patient’s condition can change at any time, nurses have to be ready to make clinical decisions at a moment’s notice. When you’re drinking or using drugs, your judgment is limited. You can’t react as quickly, think as clearly, or notice as many details. In many situations, that can put a patient’s health at risk.

Addiction Stigma in the Healthcare Industry

Unfortunately, many healthcare professionals harbor negative beliefs about people experiencing addiction.21 So nurses that develop addiction may fear how their colleagues will judge them. They also may feel shame about using substances despite being a healthcare professional. 

Because of this stigma, nurses don’t always report their suspicion of a colleague’s addiction.22 They may fear social backlash at work, or fear what will happen if their colleague gets fired. Some hospital administrators even ignore reports of impaired care. In the short term, this can seem like a way to avoid malpractice lawsuits or staff shortages. But it can also be a barrier to treatment for nurses with addiction.

Barriers to Treatment for Nurses With Addictions

For many nurses, stigma delays treatment for substance abuse.23 Healthcare professionals are unlikely to get help until their substance use is severe enough to have serious consequences.

Nurses also face other barriers to drug and alcohol treatment:

  • The belief that they can stop on their own because of their medical training
  • Fear of legal and professional consequences like losing their license
  • Financial concerns about how to pay for rehab, especially if they lose their job

Resources for Nurses Seeking Help With Substance Abuse

Government and national nursing organizations recognize that substance abuse harms both nurses and patients. So some U.S. states now offer certain resources to nurses seeking addiction treatment.24 Many of these programs protect you from professional discipline if you follow certain rules. 

Alternative to Discipline (ATD) Programs 

Alternative to Discipline (ATD) programs are a common treatment option25 for nurses with substance use disorders. They are state board-run, confidential, and not mandatory. In most U.S. states, a nurse’s employer will refer them to an ATD program as soon as they learn of the nurse’s addiction. If you stay in that program you might be protected from prison time, losing your license, or getting fired.

The idea behind these programs is that most nurses will choose to get help if they can do so safely. Studies show that ATD programs effectively help nurses avoid relapse,26 return to work, and improve patient care.  

When you’re in an ATD program, you’ll usually sign a return-to-work agreement27 to uphold certain standards for a set period of time:

  • Complete a recognized treatment program 
  • Work less intensive hours, such as avoiding overnight shifts
  • Avoid situations where you’d work alone, like home healthcare
  • Refrain from handling or administering narcotics 
  • Submit to random drug tests or alcohol screenings
  • Attend regular support groups meetings or 1:1 therapy sessions
  • Check in with administrators on a regular basis
  • Disclose addiction and treatment plan to future employers

Some nursing specialities require stricter standards.28 For example, anesthesia nurses must have 1 year of sobriety before they can return to work.

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)

Some employers have in-house programs for employees with substance misuse.29 These employee assistance programs (EAPs) vary widely across institutions. However, most EAPs are employer-paid and confidential. 

Some EAPs only offer health promotion and awareness activities. Others can refer you to a treatment center or provide treatment themselves. Once you’ve completed treatment through an EAP, they’ll likely monitor your progress with check-ins and random drugs tests. 

To find out if your employer offers an EAP, you can get in touch with a human resource manager. You can also look through the employee handbook or orientation materials if you’re not ready to talk to a colleague. 

Peer Support Groups for Nurses

Sobriety support groups30 can supplement more formal substance abuse treatment. And nurses can attend support groups just for other nurses and healthcare workers in recovery:

Some hospitals also offer 12-Step meetings for employees. There, you can connect with other people who understand the unique challenges of nursing while you’re in recovery. And you’ll be able to find mentors who have successfully returned to work while staying sober.

Residential and Outpatient Rehab Programs for Nurses

Some rehabs have treatment programs specifically for nurses and other healthcare professionals. You might access them through an ATD program or an EAP, or you can attend on your own. Depending on your employer’s requirements, you can choose between outpatient or residential treatment. 

Some outpatient programs may allow you to work during treatment. But if your substance use is more severe, you might need to start recovery in residential rehab.

Learn more about getting time off for addiction treatment here.

You’ll have access to a variety of treatment options, depending on your rehab program:

These therapies can help you work through triggers and address the root cause of your substance misuse. If and when you return to work, you’ll be able to keep everyone safe—both yourself and your patients.
To get the specialized care you need, explore rehab for professionals to learn more about pricing, insurance coverage, and therapy options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Substance Abuse in Nursing

What are the risk factors for substance abuse among nurses?

Stress and burnout from long shifts, short-staffed work environments, physically and emotionally taxing duties, and constant exposure to pain and trauma can increase the risk of substance abuse among nurses.

What treatment options are available for nurses struggling with substance abuse?

Alternative-to-discipline (ATD) programs, employee assistance programs (EAPs), peer support groups, and residential and outpatient rehab programs are options for nurses seeking help. Treatments might include individual, group, and family therapy, evidence-based approaches, and complementary therapies.

How can I support a loved one who is a nurse struggling with substance abuse?

It’s important to approach the situation with empathy and compassion. Consider having a private conversation with them about your observations and offer to help them find resources for treatment. Remember that recovery is a journey that requires ongoing support and care. Encourage them to seek help from a specialized rehab center that caters to professionals.

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Rehab for Executives: Frequently Asked Questions

It’s common for CEOs to be portrayed as energetic, in control, and collected. But executives and people in high-level positions face demanding challenges and workplace-related stress that can take a toll on their mental health. With so much going on, you may not notice signs of addiction or addictive behavior until it negatively impacts your career or life at home.

People in high-level positions may have specific queries about going to rehab, like laptop use during treatment or privacy concerns. We’re here to answer those questions and more about attending rehab as an executive.

Understanding Addiction Among Executives

Is Addiction Common Among Executives?

Factors leading to the development of alcohol or substance use disorders are never cut and dry. However, several combining elements may make high achievers more susceptible to addiction.

As people become increasingly open about mental health issues,1 more CEOs who’ve faced addiction2 are sharing their stories. And as it turns out, hundreds of CEOs, high-level professionals, celebrities, athletes, and artists share the same struggle.

Neurological factors, trauma, and stress are some of the reasons why high achievers may turn to substance use.

Neurological factors: Addiction researcher and neuroscience professor David Linden, Ph.D. explains in his book The Compass of Pleasure: How Our Brains Make Fatty Foods, Orgasm, Exercise, Marijuana, Generosity, Vodka, Learning, and Gambling Feel So Good that the same mechanisms (dopamine receptors) encouraging us to achieve our goals can also push us towards substance use.

Trauma and anxiety: Outlined in Ending Addiction for Good authored by addiction researchers Richard Taite and Constance Scharff, Ph.D., high achievers who turn to substance abuse have likely experienced early life trauma that shapes the way they behave. This trauma can fuel their drive to succeed, but they may also turn to substances as a coping mechanism.

Stress: As an executive, you’re probably already aware of the daily stress you face. Entire teams of people rely on you, there’s pressure to maintain a certain public image and to keep performing at high levels. This leads to overwhelm and oftentimes, burnout. It’s common for executives to develop unhealthy habits, like substance or alcohol misuse,3 to cope with their stress.

What Are the Characteristics of Addictive Behavior?

First, it’s important to note that by “characteristics,” we mean characteristic behaviors associated with alcohol or substance abuse, not personality traits. The common notion of the “addictive personality” is a myth.4 The Global Journal of Addiction & Rehabilitation Medicine reports that: “Research finds no universal character traits that are common to all addicted people.”

The same study notes that some practitioners consider specific personality traits as potential warning signs that someone could develop an addiction, but that’s all they are: signals. They don’t guarantee that an individual will become addicted. According to David Linden, PhD, a neuroscience professor at Johns Hopkins’ School of Medicine, some of these predictors of addiction include the drive for success,5 obsession and risk-taking—all common among high-achievers.

While you may or may not exhibit those personality traits, certain telltale behaviors indicate alcohol or substance abuse:

  • Engaging in risky behavior while under the influence
  • Continuing to use substances despite their negative consequences
  • Stashing or hiding your substance use from others
  • Persistent cravings and spending a lot of time thinking about using substances
  • Consuming more substances than before to feel the same effects
  • Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit

Modern research shows that addiction falls on a sliding spectrum,6 challenging previous notions that addiction is “all or nothing.” According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), people who exhibit 2 to 3 of the behaviors above are considered to have a “mild” substance use disorder, while those who exhibit up to 6 or more symptoms have a “severe” substance use disorder.

How Do I Know if I Need Rehab?

There’s a stigma around what people facing addiction look like, or what their lives are like. If your life appears to others to be going well, you might not realize that you have a substance use problem. You may even deny it because you don’t “fit that stereotype.” But prolonged substance abuse can have permanent, detrimental effects on the mind and body, which is why it’s better to seek treatment sooner rather than later.

You might want to consider looking into addiction treatment if you notice these common signs of alcohol or substance abuse, as outlined in the DSM-5:

  • A strong urge to use substances
  • Persistent unsuccessful attempts at cutting down or controlling your substance use
  • Taking substances in larger quantities or for longer than you intended to
  • Continuing to use substances even if it negatively impacts your work or relationships
  • Spending a lot of time trying to get substances, use, or recover from the effects of substance use
  • Continued substance use, even if it negatively impacts your life

How Long Do I Need to Go to Rehab For?

This depends on your substance use background, including the severity, length, and type of substance used. While the length of different residential rehab programs varies, they’re generally 30, 60, or 90 days long. Some programs may run even longer and last up to 180 days.

You can find out your recommended length of stay when you call a rehab center. Usually, an admissions specialist will take you through a series of questions called an “initial assessment” to determine what length of stay is appropriate for you. While some people need to be in rehab for shorter periods than others, a significant amount of research shows that longer residential rehab stays correlate to better outcomes.7

Can You Go to Rehab for Anxiety?

Yes, you can. Many residential rehabs treat anxiety and other mental health issues, even if they don’t co-occur with a substance use disorder.

If you’re an executive who suffers from anxiety, you’re not alone. According to the Anxiety & Depression Society of America, anxiety is the most common mental illness in the United States,8 affecting over 40 million adults each year. However, job-related stress can be more detrimental to the health of CEOs and high-level decision-makers. A study released by the U.S. National Bureau of Economic Research found that CEOs of large companies are prone to higher mortality rates9 and age visibly faster due to work-related stress. If you find yourself struggling with anxiety, several different anxiety treatment options are available, including virtual therapy, outpatient programs, and inpatient care.

Can I Still Run a Business With an Addiction?

In short, not for long and not without negative effects on your physical and mental health, and potentially your relationships.

High achievers are under major pressure to perform. If you feel the need to work more and to carry on a certain image, even in the face of troubling mental health or addiction issues, others share your struggle. A Harvard-reviewed study revealed that up to 60% of people struggling with mental health issues have never spoken up about it at work.10

What’s more, many people who suffer from substance use disorder but are high-functioning might avoid seeking help because they can still perform at work, to a certain degree. You may convince yourself that you’re doing fine because your life isn’t in shambles.

However, experts claim that signs of substance abuse in the workplace are just the tip of the iceberg.

According to an article in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, Chair of the Physician Health Program Committee at Saskatchewan Medical Association Dr. Petter Butt argues that the myth of the high-functioning addict11 should be debunked. “It means we’re purely looking at function through the window of their workplace … [addiction] takes a terrible toll on people’s families and on children in particular,” he states. Over time, one’s work will also begin to suffer.

Butt adds, “It’s possible to treat the ‘functioning addict’ before the facade crumbles.”

What are the Signs of High-Functioning Alcoholism?

High-level executives face a lot of pressure to appear collected and together. However, life may look very different behind closed doors. The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) revealed that people in management have some of the highest rates of alcohol use12 compared to other professions.

You may not realize the implications of your drinking because you’re high-functioning, you don’t fit the stereotype of an “alcoholic,” or haven’t “hit rock bottom” yet. This makes it difficult for many people to spot the signs of high-functioning alcoholism. Sometimes, it takes an event like an accident or a health scare before you realize that your drinking has become a problem.

If you’re concerned about your drinking, here are some telling signs of alcohol use disorder as listed in the DSM-5:

  • The inability to stop drinking
  • Drinking more, or for longer than you intended to
  • Feeling increased irritability, mood dips, or anxiety as a result of drinking
  • Experiencing withdrawal symptoms such as insomnia, sweating, or shaky hands when you discontinue drinking

Rehab for Executives

How to Get Addiction Help as an Executive

Executives, celebrities, politicians and other high-achievers often have so much going on that they’re not aware of signs of substance abuse. This can be especially true if you’re in a profession that normalizes drinking or illicit drug use.13 If you notice worrying signs of abuse, you might hesitate to begin your recovery journey because of work requirements. However, prolonged alcohol or substance abuse can have serious health consequences.14 Stepping away from work to seek treatment may seem difficult in the short-run, but it will certainly be beneficial to your health and can even help with long-term productivity.

There are several addiction treatment options for executives. These centers often have facilities like a business center or a flexible technology policy, and luxurious amenities so you can recover in comfort and greater privacy.

Once you’ve recognized the need for help and want to start looking for treatment centers, you can take steps to find a program that fits you:

  • Receive a clinical assessment by a mental health professional.
  • Consider your recommended treatment options.
  • Find a treatment provider that is ideally reputable, trustworthy, accredited, qualified, and with licensed professionals.
  • Weigh your options and consider factors such as treatment approach, location, amenities, and more.
  • Call the treatment provider and schedule a tour, if you can.

For a more in-depth take on finding the right addiction treatment option for you, see our Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Treatment Provider.

Are There Rehab Programs for Executives?

Several private, inpatient luxury rehabs offer executive programs. These programs often include features that take into consideration the needs of high achievers:

  • Greater discretion
  • The ability to use technology during rehab
    upscale settings
  • Amenities that help promote comfort and healing
  • High-quality clinical care
  • Highly-personalized treatment
  • Tailored services like a private chef or personal trainer

…and more.

Oftentimes, the medical and clinical staff at inpatient executive rehabs have been treating clientele like you for years and understand your unique needs.

Where Do CEOs Go to Rehab?

Because of their unique lifestyle, executives are more likely to consider rehabs based on location, privacy, amenities, and comfort, and whether or not the rehab has an executive program.

Those who want to protect their privacy without giving up on comfort may opt for a luxury destination rehab. Some popular locations for executives include California and Florida in the U.S., and Switzerland.

California: Rehabs in California are known to attract A-list clientele. It consistently ranks among the top U.S. states with the best health care, and this translates to addiction treatment. Many centers have long been established and have earned a reputation. And California is no stranger to luxury: Malibu was one of the first places to popularize the concept of high-end, resort-style rehabs. Because it’s such a sought-after rehab destination, it’s home to some of the top addiction treatment centers in the world.

Florida: Florida rehabs have something for everyone, from executives to people who seek gender-specific addiction treatment. In addition to the various treatment options offered, rehabs in Florida have been catering to high-net-worth clientele for years. If you attend a luxury center in the sunshine state, there’s a good chance you’ll work closely with a clinical team dedicated to creating your individualized care plan.

Switzerland: For executives who want to escape the bustle of large cities or are seeking extra privacy, rehabs in Switzerland offer a special combination of confidentiality and comfort. The country is famous for its attention to quality and service. Here, you can expect to find a high concentration of luxury rehabs that offer uber-individualized care.

Of course, these aren’t the only destinations CEOs look to for rehab. Some prefer to recover surrounded by nature and will look at rehabs in Colorado. Others may want a destination that offers one-of-a-kind experiential therapies, like a safari in South Africa.

What’s a Typical Day in Rehab Like?

You’ll follow a full, recovery-focused schedule in rehab. Most days involve therapy sessions supported by activities and leisure time, and scheduled work time if you attend an executive rehab. A day at luxury rehab might look something like this:

  • Wake up early to a healthy, nourishing breakfast
  • Join a group therapy session
  • Move your body with a fitness class or activity
  • Have lunch with others in your program
  • Post-lunch downtime
  • Complete a 1-on-1 therapy session
  • Scheduled work time
  • Attend an educational or support group session
  • Eat dinner, followed by a wind-down activity like music or art therapy, or individual free time

Activities and outings are often influenced by the rehab’s location. Jerry Vaccaro, President at All Points North Lodge in Vail Valley, Colorado, details some activities common to the area:

“On weekends, we have a ton of activities. Patients can snap on their snowshoes and go walking. You might even see some elk. Or, we may take you on a trip to the ski slopes. In warmer weather, activities might include fly fishing on the beautiful rivers here. We try to balance the intense nature of treatment with activities that help you decompress and think about what you just experienced.”

Can I Still Work While at Rehab?

Rehab is a protected environment that allows you to disconnect from the outside world and turn your focus inward. However, not everyone can take time off work, and that’s understandable. You can still make the most out of treatment while fitting work into your schedule.

Most executive rehab programs have a flexible technology policy so you can stay connected during certain hours and keep your office running. Some also have business centers to work from. Regardless, you’ll want to check directly with a rehab center about their technology policy to make sure it suits your needs.

For some people with a more demanding schedule, bespoke programs and single-client rehabs may fit best. For example, politicians or celebrities may need to make public appearances during their time in treatment. Single-client rehabs are usually hyper-individualized and may be more accommodating to these types of requests.

Which Rehabs Allow Laptops?

Different rehab programs have different tech usage policies. Many luxury rehabs offer an executive program, allowing professionals to stay connected with work during their time in treatment.

You can browse our list of luxury executive rehab programs to learn more about centers with flexible technology policies.

What Amenities Do Luxury Rehabs Offer?

It’s important to feel comfortable in rehab. Contrary to the belief that rehab should be punishing, being in an uncomfortable environment can negatively impact your mood and receptiveness to treatment. Luxury rehabs offer special amenities that executives and high net-worth clientele may be used to, allowing them to relax and feel at home:

  • Swimming pools
  • Saunas
  • Fitness/wellness center
  • Business center
  • Outdoor lounge
  • Tennis court
  • Theater
  • Gourmet dining
  • Personal concierge

Privacy in Rehab

Can I Keep My Rehab Stay Private as a CEO?

Confidentiality concerns can be a major barrier to treatment for CEOs and people in high-profile positions. The good news is you can keep your rehab attendance private.

From single-client rehabs to centers in secluded locations, there are a variety of ways rehabs accommodate your privacy needs:

  • Inpatient (residential) rehab offers distance from your community. You’re removed from your everyday environment, reducing the chances of being recognized.
  • Many luxury inpatient centers are in secluded, discreet locations and aren’t even recognizable as rehabs from the outside. Some don’t list their location information publicly.
  • Ultra-private luxury rehabs take in one client at a time, so your stay is completely confidential.
  • Destination rehabs can offer an extra layer of privacy.
  • Virtual rehab programs let you receive treatment from the comfort of your home.

On top of that, rehabs in the U.S. must adhere to clinical standards of patient confidentiality:

  1. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act,15 or HIPAA, is a law that protects your medical records and health information. Under HIPAA, a rehab cannot share your health information without your knowledge or consent.
  2. 42 CFR Part 2 is a section of HIPAA that applies directly to addiction treatment programs. Under this law, a rehab center cannot disclose any information that reveals that you’ve dealt with addiction, even with other medical providers. All recovery programs must adhere to 42 CFR Part 2.

Does Rehab Go on Your Record?

In most cases, rehab attendance doesn’t go on your record. An exception would be if you had broken the law in some way, for example, if you were arrested for possession of narcotics. In these cases, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunities Commission prohibits employers from using criminal history information16 to discriminate against you.

In all cases, HIPAA protects your medical information17 and any information that may disclose your rehab attendance.

What Are Rehab Privacy Laws?

When you attend rehab, you’re protected by certain privacy protection laws. Two important laws include HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2.

HIPAA
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act,18 or HIPAA, is a national law that prevents the disclosure of any of your medically related information without your consent or knowledge. Under HIPAA, you have the right to access and request amendments to your health records.

Healthcare providers, health plans, healthcare clearinghouses, and business associates must comply with HIPAA.

42 CFR Part 2
42 CFR Part 219 is a section under HIPAA that offers more stringent privacy protection than HIPAA and pertains directly to substance use disorder treatment. Under this law, treatment providers can’t disclose any information that suggests you’ve dealt with addiction. This is to protect you from unfair treatment in legal cases involving employment, divorce, and more.

Find Healing at an Executive Rehab Program

Many executives find it difficult to disconnect and free themselves from workplace stress. When this stress occurs in conjunction with a substance use disorder, it takes a heavy toll on your physical and mental health.

Because it can feel like you’re in charge of keeping everything running, you may be hesitant to seek addiction or mental health treatment. However, your mental and physical well-being are important. You deserve time to focus inward. Thankfully, plenty of rehab programs cater to the needs of executives. These programs ensure you can still reach the people who rely on you while you take time to heal.

Explore the world’s top luxury rehabs for executives.

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Attending Rehab for Work-Related Burnout

Burnout can affect anyone. Even if you love your work, it’s possible to get overwhelmed. And ignoring your exhaustion may just exacerbate your symptoms. If you feel yourself hitting a wall, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. This experience is widespread enough that there are many rehab programs designed to treat work-related burnout.

This condition isn’t permanent—or at least, it doesn’t have to be. Although burnout is a collection of mental health symptoms, it is not a long-term diagnosis, like depression or anxiety. Instead, it is the result of external circumstances, combined with unsustainable work habits. It is highly treatable, but it should not be ignored.

Understanding Job Burnout

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Burn-out is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress1 that has not been successfully managed.” It is characterized by exhaustion, increased cynicism or mental distance from one’s job, and a sense of ineffectiveness or lack of accomplishment. These symptoms must specifically occur in the context of work, and not describe other areas of the client’s life.

Unfortunately, this condition is on the rise. In one study, 52% of respondents reported experiencing burnout2 in 2021, up from only 43% in 2020. This may be partly due to the stress of current events, although more research is needed. Whatever the root cause, it’s clear that high levels of stress have become pervasive in the culture of the workplace.

Even if you’re not personally going through burnout, the numbers indicate that most people work with those who are. By compensating for your colleagues’ exhaustion, you may be at risk of developing the same condition. This is especially important because of the social aspects of burnout.3 The three primary symptoms of this condition, as described above, place “the individual stress experience within a social context,” which may cause it to negatively impact your relationships.

Experts have identified 6 key domains of a person’s life that are related to burnout. Stress within these areas may represent a risk factor for developing symptoms.

Workload

“Overwork is a main cause of burnout.”4 If you can’t take time off, you may experience both mental and physical symptoms of exhaustion. These can include anxiety, a lack of focus, loss of sleep, and even physical pain. Insufficient rest can also increase levels of cortisol,5 the stress hormone, which may lead to additional health issues.

When you have too much to do, it can become difficult to prioritize and deprioritize various tasks. You might spend hours color-coding a spreadsheet, but be too tired to brush your teeth. This type of inattention can cause additional problems at work, if you simply don’t have the time or energy to complete important projects. Over time, these behavioral patterns can increase your workload even further, causing you to spiral into a state of exhaustion.

Control

Healthcare professionals often assess burnout using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, a tool that asks clients to rate their emotional experience of exhaustion, cynicism, and similar criteria. Christina Maslach, creator of this scale, explains that “control problems occur when workers have insufficient authority6 over their work or are unable to shape the work environment to be consistent with their values. A sense of efficacy is unlikely to occur when workers are feeling buffeted by circumstances or powerful people within the organization.”

At first glance, it may seem that this lack of control mostly affects employees, rather than high-level executives. But this dynamic is more complex than it appears. Workers at every level have a responsibility to various people, whether those people are employers, employees, shareholders, or clientele. No matter your position, certain circumstances may make you feel like your needs are less important than the company’s. If you find that you have irreconcilable differences, it may sound appealing to simply change jobs. If you’re in a position of power, however, it’s not always that simple.

the dawn rehab burnout treatment
The Dawn Rehab in Chiang Mai, Thailand treats burnout using a combination of evidence-based cognitive behavioural therapies and Eastern holistic wellness practices.

Reward

In the context of work, the idea of reward is often linked to income. If you’re making less than you’re worth, you may be at a greater risk for burnout. But that’s just one aspect of this issue.

It’s also possible for your work to be unrewarding in and of itself. Almost no amount of money can make up for a boss who constantly berates you. And that lack of recognition can go in both directions. Many top executives spend more time-solving problems than they do receiving praise. Even if this pattern is good for the company, it can wreak havoc on your mental health.

Community

Community is an extremely important part of individual mental health.7 According to one expert, groups that “provide individuals with a sense of meaning, purpose, and belonging…have positive psychological consequences.” Without a strong workplace community, you may be at a greater risk for burnout.

When an unsupportive culture is combined with an above-average workload, you may struggle to maintain meaningful relationships. If you don’t have time to socialize outside of work, you’ll depend on your colleagues for emotional connectivity. This pattern is unsustainable at best, and can be extremely harmful. If this is a primary contributor to your experience of burnout, you may want to consider a rehab program that can help you learn to build community.

Fairness

Even as children, human beings have an innate sense of fairness.8 In adults, of course, this matures into a more complex understanding of equality. At any age, we long to be treated well, receiving the compensation and recognition we feel we’ve earned.

Our perceived sense of fairness impacts our productivity,9 and perceived injustice can lead to burnout. Research suggests that when workers feel they are being treated unfairly, they are likely to take more sick time. This is often caused by objectively unfair treatment, such as racism or sexism. However, the perception of unfairness is equally important. If you believe that you’ve been unfairly passed over for a promotion—even if your employer has good reasons for choosing someone else—you may become more cynical about your work.

Values

When a worker’s values and goals don’t align with those of the company, it “may result in lower job satisfaction4 and negatively impact mental health,” writes Jennifer Moss, author of The Burnout Epidemic: The Rise of Chronic Stress and How We Can Fix It. This misalignment can sometimes be avoided through clear communication, especially at the time a person is hired. However, that’s not always possible. Both people and companies change over time. If you’re with a company long enough to go through major life transitions—such as getting married or becoming a parent—your needs may shift significantly.

In order to find a workplace that shares your priorities, you must first be able to articulate what you value. There’s no right or wrong answer to this question, but it’s important to be ruthlessly honest with yourself. For example, imagine you’re a person who highly values creative expression, and you’re working at a company focused on robust scientific research. While both of these are laudable pursuits, you might not be happy sitting at a desk and crunching numbers. No one is at fault. But it’s your responsibility to define your needs and look for ways to meet them.

Signs and Symptoms of Burnout

When your needs aren’t being met, you’re at a high risk of burning out. And if you’re used to prioritizing others’ needs over your own, it can be hard to notice this before it becomes a problem. Unfortunately, it’s quite common for people to ignore their exhaustion until it becomes unmanageable.

According to experts at The Dawn Rehab in Chiang Mai, Thailand, you can recognize burnout by watching for the following symptoms:

  • Mental and physical exhaustion
  • Pessimism
  • Loss of interest in your job
  • Interpersonal issues in the office
  • Relationship and intimacy issues
  • Irrational irritability
  • Decreased productivity

Many workers—and especially high achievers—feel the pressure to just power through these symptoms, no matter how debilitating they may be. As tempting as it is, that strategy just isn’t effective. Even if the only goal is to do your job well, remember that you will be more effective at work if you take care of your mental health first. And what’s more, you deserve the same care and attention that you offer your colleagues and your clients.

all points north lodge burnout treatment
All Points North Lodge in Vail Valley, Colorado uses cutting-edge therapeutic technologies like hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS) to treat burnout and other mental health conditions.

Attending Rehab for Burnout

Rehab isn’t just for substance use disorders. Many programs are specifically tailored to help clients heal from job burnout. In this type of treatment, you can expect to balance your time between relaxation and more traditional therapies.

Inpatient treatment isn’t a vacation. However, treating burnout is calming and rejuvenating. During this time, you’ll take a break from work, reassess your priorities, and develop more sustainable habits to use in the future. Your program may include a number of different components.

Talk Therapy

Talk therapy helps clients reconnect with themselves. You’ll work with a provider to define your personal values and find ways to honor them in your daily life. You may also work through cynicism or resentment, and develop skills to avoid unhealthy behavioral patterns.

As you get to know yourself again, you may also learn to differentiate between regular stress and the warning signs of burnout. If your work gets out of hand in the future, this knowledge can help you recognize warning signs as early as possible.

Mindfulness

Meditation, yoga, and other mindfulness practices help you stay in the present moment. With these skills, clients are better equipped to regulate their emotions. While stress is sometimes unavoidable, you can gain some amount of control over your own response to it.

Massage Therapy

Massage isn’t just rejuvenating; it can also help strengthen the connection between body and mind. By relieving physical tension, clients may also learn to let go of emotional stress. Different types of massage therapy may be more focused on relaxation or on relieving specific areas of pain. Either way, clients often find that this modality helps them work through both physical and emotional symptoms.

Therapeutic Technologies

Some facilities offer access to cutting-edge technologies known to relieve symptoms of burnout and exhaustion. At All Points North Lodge, for example, you may engage in hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), which is known to alleviate anxiety, depression, and a host of physical conditions. Your team of experts will help you decide whether this treatment is appropriate, given your unique health needs.

Personalized Recovery From Job Burnout

Burnout may cause you to feel emotionally disconnected, both from those around you and from your own needs. Because of this, treatment is often personalized for each specific client.

By choosing between a variety of therapies, you can reconnect with your own most deeply held needs, goals, and values. At its best, this process is both therapeutic and enjoyable. This is your opportunity to decide what it means for you, specifically, to live a healthy life.

To learn more, browse our list of luxury rehab programs that treat work-related burnout.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rehab for Job Burnout

What are the signs of burnout?

Signs of burnout are often physical, behavioral, and emotional:

• Mental and physical exhaustion
• Decreased productivity 
• Irritability
• Loss of interest in your job
• Interpersonal issues at work 
• Relationship and intimacy issues

Can you go to rehab for burnout?

Yes, you can go to rehab for burnout. Treatment programs for workplace burnout often combine conventional therapies, like talk therapy, with relaxation techniques.

How do you treat burnout?

The first step is to pause work as you reassess priorities and develop more sustainable habits. Burnout treatment at rehab often includes talk therapy, mindfulness, therapeutic technologies, massage, and more.

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Are High Achievers More Susceptible to Addiction?

They may star in Hollywood films or run Fortune 500 companies, but many of the world’s most successful people also have a secret: they struggle with a unique set of challenges that often lead them to require treatment for substance abuse.

Take Zac Efron. This Hollywood star, famous for his lead role in the High School Musical series, was on top of his game in the mid-2000s. He was on the cover of magazines, and the idol of millions of teenagers around the world. But as he shifted into adult roles, he also became part of a much more intense party scene—one that would eventually pull him away from his career. He soon found himself treating his anxiety and loneliness with substances.1 He reflects on that time:

“You spend a lot of time in your house going crazy. You know, pretty soon you need a social lubricant…It was getting to the point where I was caring less about the work and waiting for the weekend…But then when Monday and Tuesday were too difficult to get through, then I was like, ‘Oh, this is bad.’”

Efron pulled himself out of his substance abuse in 2013, when he sold his house in the Hollywood Hills and checked into a rehab program for cocaine and alcohol addiction. But Efron isn’t the only star who has battled substance abuse. Hundreds of CEOs, athletes, artists, and celebrities struggle with addiction. But why?

As it turns out, many of the same traits that make people high achievers, like risk-taking, a strong drive for success, and dedication to their work, also are traits that make them more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol. High achievement and substance abuse2 often go hand in hand—and neuroscientists and psychologists can help us uncover why.

The Science Behind Substance Abuse

To understand what drives CEOs, celebrities, artists, and other high achievers to substance abuse, we need to understand what neurological factors lead to substance abuse in the first place.

Addiction researcher and neuroscience professor David Linden, PhD, explains why the character traits that make someone a good CEO also make them a “good addict.” Simply put, the same brain chemicals that encourage us to achieve also push us toward substance abuse and other forms of addiction. Linden writes in his book The Compass of Pleasure: How Our Brains Make Fatty Foods, Orgasm, Exercise, Marijuana, Generosity, Vodka, Learning, and Gambling Feel So Good:3

“The pleasure derived from success, and in particular from risky or novel business ventures, is borne of the very same brain pathways that make substance use so irresistible to some. It’s all about pleasure-seeking and reward.”

But contrary to popular belief, people who struggle with substance abuse and addictive behavior don’t have a heightened desire for these substances. Instead, Linden’s research shows, many people with a history of substance abuse have “dampened” dopamine receptors. Dopamine is the chemical in our brains that allows us to feel pleasure—which means that to get the same rush of positive feelings, a person with dampened dopamine receptors needs to partake in significantly more of an activity or substance than the average person.

What does this have to do with achievement? The connection, Linden argues, is actually quite simple. Certain activities like drinking alcohol, eating fatty foods, and exercising give us a dopamine hit—and so does achieving a goal. When you set and achieve a goal for yourself, your brain releases dopamine, and you get a rush. So, the same mechanism that makes certain people more likely to crave substances like alcohol or drugs is also more likely to push them to work harder to achieve their goals.

“My strong, strong suspicion,” says Linden, “is that what makes some people more likely to rise to the top is the same thing that makes them more likely to be addicts.”

Anxiety, Trauma, and Alcoholism

Though dopamine receptors are responsible in part for substance abuse, they aren’t the only factor that can impact a person’s likelihood to struggle with addiction. While approximately half of someone’s addictive tendencies are thought to be genetic,4 the rest is based on factors having to do with life circumstances.

Constance Scharff, PhD, who works as an addiction researcher with Cliffside Malibu treatment center and co-authored the book Ending Addiction for Good5 reports that high achievers who struggle with addiction are also likely to have experienced a major stressor or trauma in their early lives that shape their behavior.

“There’s something, usually an early experience, that fuels that kind of drive, and oftentimes it’s the same thing that drives addiction. The vast majority didn’t have some sort of basic needs met as children, so they’re driven very, very hard to succeed. But the pain that goes with that is also what they’re self-medicating for.”

– Constance Scharff, Addiction Researcher, Cliffside Malibu

cliffside malibu
Set near the coast, Cliffside Malibu offers a co-occurring disorder treatment program that includes evidence-based treatment and holistic medicine.

The rate of co-occurring disorders with substance abuse is very high—which is why more luxury treatment centers are offering treatment for anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and other diagnoses. One study from 2010 showed that exposure to traumatic experiences as a child was linked to higher rates of substance use disorder (SUD),6 and many participants were living with both SUD and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A similar study on anxiety and substance use disorders7 shows that rates of SUD in patients with anxiety occur at a higher than average rate, suggesting that there is a correlation between the two conditions.

Scharff and her team agree that exposure to adverse childhood experiences,8 also called ACEs, can increase the likelihood that a person will struggle with substance abuse later in their life. And ACEs can also lead to other traits, like perfectionism, that are associated with high achievement. As such, learning how to identify these behaviors, process childhood traumas, and cope with triggers is a pivotal part of treatment for many high achievers who struggle with addiction.

Substance Abuse and Everyday Stressors

There’s one final reason why many high achievers may be prone to addiction: the stress they experience in their daily lives.

Imagine, for a minute, what it’s like to run a global enterprise, or play in a Super Bowl Game. Not only are millions of people expecting you to succeed—your entire life is also often in the public eye. Even for people who aren’t navigating childhood trauma, the pressure to perform at a board meeting or on a movie set, along with the social pressures of being in the limelight, can be overwhelming. Facing anxiety and burnout, many high achievers self-medicate to cope.

Aton center san diego
AToN Center in San Diego, California specializes in helping high achievers who face anxiety and burnout heal from substance abuse.

Studies show that turning to potentially unhealthy coping mechanisms is surprisingly common among successful people. In the recent Executive Wellbeing Index from Bupa Global, 60% of executives who reported struggling with mental health issues during the pandemic said they turned to potentially unhealthy coping mechanisms, like alcohol or substances, to self-medicate9 those issues. Nearly 40% of those respondents said they used over-the-counter drugs and/or alcohol to treat their anxiety, depression, fatigue, or mood swings.

It’s also important to remember that though self-medication and stress is part of daily life for many high achievers, during the pandemic many people lost access to their old, healthier coping mechanisms. In the write-up on their survey, Bupa Global notes: “Many of the mechanisms people typically use to cope with such stress and anxieties such as seeing friends and family, going to the gym, going on holiday and even going to work have been diminished, and replaced for other, more addictive substitutes such as increased alcohol consumption, self-medication, substance abuse, and gambling.” In the absence of other outlets, people often turn to substance abuse.

Even for people who don’t typically struggle with anxiety or depression, periods of stress can lead to self-medication, which can devolve into a more serious substance use problem. Treating mental health struggles as they arise can help all people, including high-achievers, stay ahead of that spiral.

Celebrity Success Stories

For many celebrities, CEOs, and other highly successful people, a combination of childhood trauma, anxiety and stress from a demanding job or lifestyle, and genetics can lead to struggles with substance abuse. But those struggles don’t always end in pain and suffering. In fact, many celebrities with household names have overcome their substance abuse problems by seeking treatment.

Oprah Winfrey, talk show host, author, producer, and much more, was addicted to crack cocaine10 in her early 20s. She started using while in an unhealthy relationship and soon became addicted. In an episode where she interviewed recovering addicts, Oprah shocked her audience when she said to guest Kim Davis: “​​I did your drug.” Oprah sought treatment for her addiction and has since become one of the most influential women in the world.

Business mogul Steve Madden also struggled with addiction11 in the past. This high achiever, who started his shoe company from the trunk of his car, was tried in 2002 for money laundering and fraud. In a documentary from 2017, Madden admitted that he struggled with substance abuse since he dropped out of college, and his lawyers explained in court that his crimes were the direct result of his addiction. Madden spent 41 months in prison and was forced to resign from his role as CEO. Since then, however, Madden has returned12 as creative and design chief of the company he started back in 1990. The company did $1.5 billion in sales last year and now owns a dozen other well-known brands.

There are dozens of stories just like these. For many high achievers, especially those in the public eye, finding treatment can be challenging. But, it’s not impossible. A number of rehab centers specialize in co-occurring disorders, like Solice in Marbella, Spain, which offers a holistic approach to recovery and treats co-occurring disorders like anxiety and depression. Other facilities, like AToN Center in San Diego, specialize in helping executives and professionals heal from substance abuse. These centers and many more offer discreet, personalized treatment that takes into consideration the needs of high-performing individuals.

Solice Spain
Solice in Marbella, Spain offers a holistic approach to recovery and extra privacy for executives who are concerned about confidentiality.

True Achievement: Healing Addiction and Underlying Trauma

As many people know, high achievement can be a double-edged sword. While it comes with motivation, hard work, creative thinking, and often, success, it also can also lead you down a path toward substance abuse and other addictive behaviors.

For many high achievers, substance abuse isn’t the problem—it’s simply a way to cope. Treating the underlying causes that can lead to addictive behavior, and learning about how your body handles substances, can be an invaluable way to find healing. The more you know about yourself, the more easily you can break old patterns, and discover a more successful, motivated, and capable version of yourself.

It’s important to remember that struggling with mental health is a normal part of life—particularly for certain groups of people. For many survivors of childhood trauma, those with a family history of substance abuse, and people in positions of power, treating mental health is part and parcel of living a successful life. Though it can be hard for high achievers to admit their own flaws, it’s okay to recognize that your brain has a unique way of navigating the world. And it’s entirely okay to ask for help when you need it.

You can start your healing journey and reduce your symptoms of anxiety and other co-occurring disorders at a treatment center near you. Learn more by browsing our collection of luxury rehabs here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Addiction Among High Achievers

Why do high achievers struggle with addiction?

High achievers often face intense daily pressure, stress, and a need for perfection, which can contribute to using substances as a coping mechanism.

What are the signs of addiction in high achievers?

Signs of addiction among high achievers include increased excessive workload, declining performance, mood swings, hiding substance use, and neglecting personal well-being.

How can luxury rehab help high achievers with addiction?

Luxury rehab provides tailored treatment programs that include individual therapy, group therapy, holistic treatments, and support networks specifically designed for high achievers’ needs.

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Elite Recovery: How Social Status Affects Substance Use Disorders

Substance use disorders can affect people from all walks of life. And despite certain cultural stereotypes, elite clients may be especially vulnerable. Because people with high status face a specific set of stressors, they also have unique needs during recovery. If you’re a person who faces these unique challenges, it may be helpful to seek out a rehab that caters to luxury clientele.

These programs are specifically designed to provide support for people who are accustomed to a certain standard of living. What’s more, the staff at these facilities are highly qualified to help people of your demographic. By working with people who can intuitively understand your personal history, your current experience, and your goals for the future, you may have a much easier time approaching recovery.

Luxury rehabs are there to help you live your best life. In this type of treatment, you won’t be asked to give up the amenities you rely on, and you won’t be pressured to make changes that might jeopardize your future. Instead, your team will help you learn to navigate ongoing stress and triggers, without giving up the most meaningful parts of your life.

Stress and Socioeconomic Status

Every person has their own experience of stress. Elite social status doesn’t protect you from this. It may actually increase your stress levels, and as a result, make you more vulnerable to certain mental health conditions.

One expert writes, “Stress is a well-known risk factor in the development of addiction1 and in addiction relapse vulnerability.” Even the most affluent lifestyles may come with unique difficulties. As you consider attending rehab, you might benefit from reflecting on which areas of your life are the most challenging, in spite of their potential rewards.

The Weight of Reputation

People with high social status also tend to have high visibility. Whether your position comes from your family, your career, or any other source, it can feel as though you’re being scrutinized by the public. Your actions may reflect on the people around you, including your loved ones, colleagues, and employees. If you have celebrity status, your behavior may even have a direct impact on the lives of your fanbase.

When your behavior has such far-reaching consequences, it’s natural to feel pressure to perform. And because of the stigma surrounding substance use disorders,2 well-known figures may delay admitting that they need help. However, new research suggests that the public acknowledgment of mental health conditions can “serve as a powerful method of communication to increase awareness of mental health3 and normalize psychiatric illnesses.

Great Responsibility

Some elite clients have a great deal of responsibility. This is often true of high-level executives, who may be responsible for the success of their colleagues, shareholders, and employees. Others may have responsibilities to their family, or even to the public.

When people are depending on you, you may be concerned about letting them down. And if you have a substance use disorder, you may struggle with associated guilt and shame about your condition. But you’re only human. If you had a physical illness, seeking treatment would be seen as reasonable and responsible. Although it may not feel this way, the same is true of mental health diagnoses. Asking for help is not a failure.

Orenda at Futures
Orenda at Futures in Tequesta, Florida, has a comprehensive treatment program for high-level executives, complete with plush amenities.

Affluence and Mental Health

Although it can bring people great security and pleasure, material success does not protect your mental health.4 In fact, your annual income may be directly related to your experience of stress. In a 2018 study, “researchers found that people who earn between $51,000 and $75,000 generally feel the least stressed. By contrast, of those who make an income of $200,000 or more, nearly 70 percent said they feel stressed.”

And stress is just one component of mental health. Additionally, affluent people “are at a higher risk for depression.”5 For some clients—but certainly not all—this can be related to your attitude about your finances.

Managing wealth requires a great deal of emotional energy. And when you’re responsible for protecting yourself, your family, or your legacy, that may be unavoidable. However, it’s important to remember that your finances are just one aspect of your life. You are more than your external circumstances. It’s easy for elite clients to lose track of this, and as a result, become disconnected from the activities that make them feel most fulfilled.

Substance Misuse Among Luxury Clients

Perhaps due to these unique and isolating stressors, substance use disorders are common among high-powered clients. As one expert writes, “While money itself doesn’t cause addiction or substance abuse, wealth has been linked with a higher susceptibility to addiction problems.”6

In addition, numerous studies have found that in particular, the children of wealthy parents are extremely vulnerable to substance use disorders.7 In fact, teens of high socioeconomic status are significantly more likely to use alcohol and drugs than those with less privilege.

The stereotypical image of a substance user as destitute couldn’t be further from the truth. While it’s true that people with this diagnosis may come from any social class, substance misuse is likely on the rise among the elite. Reporting for Forbes, Alice Walton writes, “The prevalence of substance abuse in the CEO circle8 is hard to gauge because it is so clandestine—these are not the people who are checking themselves into rehab, they’re the people who [are] staying out of it and continuing to function. A recent study from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism found that about 20% of alcoholics are high functioning and well-educated. Prescription medication addiction is rising in many circles, the C-suite among them.”

However, this demographic also experiences unique barriers to treatment. Walton goes on to explain that some elite clients may be less trusting, and therefore resistant to receiving care. What’s more, many high-powered clients are high-functioning substance users. If you’re used to performing under pressure, you may be able to keep up appearances for a long time, despite overwhelming emotional turmoil. “There’s often the if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it mentality.”

It can be difficult to internalize the idea that you don’t need to lose everything before you admit you need treatment. This can be especially hard for clients who enjoy an especially high standard of living. If you’re accustomed to a certain lifestyle, it can be difficult to imagine giving it up, even temporarily.

Many elite clients may delay seeking help because they’re unable to step away from pressing responsibilities. And others have trouble considering inpatient treatment because they’re concerned about leaving certain amenities behind. Fortunately, some rehab programs are designed specifically for these clients. You may be able to benefit from inpatient treatment without losing access to the healthy parts of a lifestyle you love.

Luxury Rehabs for High-Powered Clients

There are luxury rehab programs all over the world. These upscale facilities are capable of offering treatment to elite clients, without interrupting their access to important amenities. You may even be able to attend a bespoke rehab facility that will tailor the program to suit your exact standards.

Mercui Recovery interior
Stays at Mercui Recovery combine privacy and comfort with luxury.

Personalized Treatment

Many rehabs offer individualized treatment. These programs may be personalized in a number of ways, giving clients a great deal of control over their own recovery processes. For example, you may be able to decide what type of therapy you participate in, how much access you have to technology, and how long you spend in residence.

Clients at Mercui Recovery, for example, are housed in “private luxury accommodations in a natural wilderness environment.” This rehab boasts five-star service, offering clinical therapy, business coaching, massage, and infrared sauna therapy, among many other modalities. By serving only one client at a time, they offer the utmost discretion and highly personalized care.

Executive Treatment

High-level executives may have difficulty leaving work to attend rehab. To accommodate their needs, some programs allow you to work remotely while you’re in residence. Orenda at Futures, for instance, provides executive clients with a private workspace during their stay.

The team at this facility recognizes that this hard-working demographic has a unique set of needs, goals, and barriers to treatment. Clients have the freedom to work during rehab, while still receiving care of the highest quality.

Luxury Amenities

Recovery is hard work, but parts of it can be enjoyable! Remember: rehab is an opportunity for you to reset. Finding activities you can healthily enjoy is a very important part of the healing process.

Luxury rehabs offer a wide variety of amenities. White River Manor, in South Africa, offers spa services, one-on-one personal training, and Pilates. At Sierra Tucson, you can engage in equine therapy, acupuncture, yoga, and more. Many programs also invite clients on adventure outings. You might go on a safari, swim with the dolphins, or explore the rim of a volcano.

White River Manor spa
White River Manor in South Africa caters to their clientele with a host of luxury amenities, including spa services.

Some therapeutic modalities—such as mindfulness and meditation—are commonly found at holistic rehabs. This approach is designed to treat every aspect of a client’s health as a whole, and may focus on strengthening the mind-body connection.

Healing is hard work. However, one of rehab’s main goals is to help you create a life you love, even without the use of illicit substances. At the right facility, you won’t be denied access to the activities you find most meaningful and fulfilling. On the contrary, you’ll be encouraged to learn new skills, and develop healthier habits as a result.

Living a Life You Love, Sustainably

When you complete inpatient treatment, you may ultimately decide to return home. This is not a necessity, of course. And you may first spend time in a transitional facility, such as a sober living environment. But for elite clients, especially those who continue working during rehab, it’s often the appropriate choice.

Returning to your previous environment may mean that your stress levels increase. Although that can be challenging, it’s not necessarily a barrier to recovery. From the moment you arrive at rehab, your team will begin to help you strategize ways to avoid or cope with relapse. Some programs, like Orenda at Futures, may also offer you in-person support for social functions that may be triggering.

Perhaps most importantly, remember that a life without substance use can still be fun. For some clients, it proves to be even more fun and more meaningful than life before rehab. The goal of healing is not to deny yourself life’s many pleasures. Instead, you’ll learn how to live your life to the fullest, in a much more sustainable way.

Recovery on Your Own Terms

Everyone deserves care. No matter how affluent you are, how much pressure you’re under, or how many responsibilities you have, that includes you. First and foremost, you are responsible for yourself. And by getting help, you’ll be in a far better position to support the people who rely on you.

For many elite clients, rehab feels out of reach. It can be hard to imagine letting go of certain behaviors, spending time out of the office, or stepping back from social engagements. However, recovery doesn’t mean giving up the best parts of your life. It means letting go of unhealthy patterns, to make room for something even better.

To learn more about programs tailored to high-powered clients, you can browse our list of luxury rehabs here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Luxury Rehab Programs

What is a luxury rehab and what does it offer?

Luxury rehab refers to high-end treatment centers that provide exclusive amenities, personalized care, and a luxurious environment for individuals seeking recovery. They offer upscale accommodations, gourmet meals, individual treatment, and tailored services to ensure a comfortable and comprehensive rehab experience.

How does luxury rehab differ from traditional rehab?

Luxury rehabs differ from traditional rehab by offering a higher level of comfort, privacy, and personalized care. They provide upscale accommodations, additional amenities, gourmet dining, and treatment tailored to meet the unique needs of their clientele.

What types of personalized services are offered at a luxury rehab?

Luxury rehabs provide a range of personalized services to cater to individual needs. Following a tailored plan, treatment may include one-on-one therapy sessions, holistic therapies such as spa treatments, gourmet dining, and various recreational activities. These personalized services enhance the overall experience and contribute to the effectiveness of the treatment program.

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Addicted Attorneys: How to Identify Your Addiction and Get the Help You Need

A 2016 study held by the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation and the American Bar Association found that out of the participating 12,825 licensed attorneys, 21 percent of lawyers qualify as problem drinkers,1 while 28 percent struggle with mild or more serious depression and 19 percent struggle with anxiety.

What’s worse, only 3,419 lawyers responded to the question about drug use. As explained by the study’s lead author, Patrick Krill, in the New York Times:

“It’s left to speculation what motivated 75 percent of attorneys to skip over the section on drug use as if it wasn’t there.”

Substance use disorder among lawyers isn’t just prevalent in the United States. In fact, much of the Western world’s legal profession is built on drink and drugs. But the true problem does not lie in the substance use itself, it lies within the culture surrounding it.

In this blog post, we shed light on some of the common factors of addiction for those in the legal profession, why lawyers need to be vigilant in recognizing them, and how you can seek the help you or a colleague might need to get sober and stay sober.

Death by Drugs: The Story of Peter

In July 2017, the New York Times published an article about the life of Peter, a high-level Silicon Valley attorney who overdosed on drugs.2

According to the article, it was a problem that his ex-wife, children, colleagues and close friends didn’t see coming. Further, it was a problem Peter felt he could fight on his own, but he failed to make the necessary priority adjustments to make time for doing so. His work always came first.

The article is eye-opening for any lawyer experiencing similar issues, and we urge you to read it. In the article, the writer depicts a scene prior to Peter’s death. The line reads:

“Of all the heartbreaking details of [Peter’s] story, the one that continues to haunt me is this: The history on his cell phone shows the last call he ever made was for work. Peter, vomiting, unable to sit up, slipping in and out of consciousness, had managed, somehow, to dial into a conference call.”

In any scenario, it’s difficult to understand why humans put their work before their own lives.

Perhaps it’s because we don’t want to let others down. Perhaps it’s because self-punishment is an all too common illness we’ve yet to talk about. Whatever it is, work is work and will remain so for the rest of time. Your health is precious; and it requires intentional effort to keep it stable.

A Few Addiction Factors to Watch Out For

There are many reasons people turn to drugs to deal with the realities of life. Failed careers, a lack of income, the death of a family member, stress … each person becomes addicted for their own reasons.

In the legal profession, however, there are some specific warning signs to watch out for. For example:

1. Overworking

attorney overworked

We can only work so hard.

We need sleep, food, water and rest to ensure we can sustain a peak level of performance in anything we do. But due to the nature of the legal profession, lawyers tend to work more than most other people.

Sure, they might bill 40 or 50 hours of work in a week, but in truth, lawyers likely work 60 or 70 hours3 just to keep up.

Balancing this level of work with a social life often means staying awake and “on” to get the job done, and some people may turn to artificial substitutes. According to the same study, 5.6 percent of respondents used cocaine, crack and other stimulants, 5.6 percent used opioids, and nearly 16 percent used sedatives to turn themselves off after a long day.

Be sure to recognize the signs of overworking and proactively deal with these problems by speaking up. There’s no shame in admitting you need help.

2. A Lack of Time With Family

In Peter’s story, it was expressed that he didn’t have enough time to spend with his family and that he’d often go out in the evening and not return.

Isolation is an all too common addiction factor, and it makes it difficult for people to identify personality changes. If you begin to notice that you’d rather be alone and taking drugs instead of around the people you love, it’s time to speak up and seek expert help.

3. Stress

Often people use smoking, alcohol and drugs as ways of trying to evade the reality of a situation and “calm down” when life gets overwhelming. In 2015, Bloomberg estimated that workplace stress contributes $190 billion in healthcare expenses4 and more than 120,000 deaths each year.

Given the nature of hard work, stress can be classified as an epidemic in the legal profession.5 Last year, legal website Above The Law wrote an article titled Stressed-Out Lawyers in First 10 Years of Practice More Likely to Have Mental-Health and Wellness Issues and they’re accurate in their statement.

As explained in the article:

“If you know 10 lawyers, three of them are likely depressed, and two of them are suffering from a drinking problem or anxiety.”

Get the Help You Need With Rehab

The stigma behind going to rehab is slowly diminishing, and the acceptance of seeking help is becoming more prevalent.

In the medical profession, which is also a high pressure, high-stress career path, doctors can enter rehab, get the treatment they need, and still continue practicing medicine once they’re sober.

The legal profession is similar. No longer should you or your colleagues fear losing your legal license and getting fired; you’re human. However, continuing down a path of substance use and overworking can be detrimental to any career.

We finish this article by addressing you personally:

If you notice that you’re becoming reliant on drugs, it’s difficult to balance work and life, or if you’re failing to treat yourself with the respect you deserve, help is available.

The United States has several lawyer assistance programs and we urge you to pick up the phone and call them.

If you feel that rehabilitation is your ticket to recovery, we urge you to find a rehab center that fits your needs.

Remember: You are not alone.

Frequently Asked Questions About Addiction Among Lawyers

Are lawyers more prone to addiction?

Certain factors increase the likelihood of addiction among lawyers. These include the normalization of drinking and drug use, overwork, and chronic stress.

How prevalent is drug use among lawyers?

Self-reported figures show 22.6% of lawyers engaged in problematic drug use or drinking at one point in their lives. Actual numbers may be higher. (75% of respondents in the same study skipped over questions about drug use.)

Can lawyers continue practicing after rehab?

If you were disbarred due to drinking or drug use, you can practice again under 3 conditions: 

1. You received appropriate rehabilitation.
2. You’ve abstained from drinking and drug use for one year minimum. 
3. You’ll likely continue to abstain.