Programs
Why Implement Prevention Protocols?
Vivon works with legal employers to implement protocols that promote the well-being of lawyers and staff. Studies show that businesses that implement conscious business protocols that foster the the well-being of their colleagues have a distinct advantage. In one study, a majority of publicly traded companies who had implemented the conscious business model emphasizing employee well-being outperformed the S&P 500 index by a factor of 10 times over a 15 year period (See Harvard Business Review article).
The experience of the airline industry, through their Human Intervention Motivational Strategy (HIMS) program, shows that investing in systemic structures to prevent, identify and treat SUD returns $9 for every $1 invested.
Professor Jarred Reich persuasively lays out the business case for the legal profession to change and focus on the well-being of it's practitioners. Jarrod F. Reich, Capitalizing on Healthy Lawyers: The Business Case for Law Firms to Promote and Prioritize Lawyer Well-Being, 65 Vill. L. Rev. 361 (2020).
There are a number of proven organizational protocols that have been adopted by other industries and professions that work. Unfortunately, the legal profession remains wedded to an anachronistic and arcane professional culture that promotes suffering, leading to avoidable inefficiencies, and enormous amounts of hidden cost. Those law firms who "dare to become aware" and take action to enhance the well-being in their organizations have an enormous competitive advantage. More importantly, life is better for everyone, especially those in senior level positions, when there is less stress, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.
Educational Campaigns
We provide education to legal services employers on topics related to well-being and substance use disorder (SUD). Organizational awareness has been shown to decrease rates of mental distress and SUD. Many of us who struggle with these conditions don't realize that there are strategies and protocols that can substantially alleviate suffering, increase fulfillment, and spur productivity.
Identification
Identifying individuals who are struggling with emotional distress and SUD is critical. Many who suffer aren't consciously aware that they are living in malaise. Once they understand they are stuck in an unhealthy paradigm, most are amenable to taking the steps to get the help to enhance their well-being.
The most efficacious way to identify those who are afflicted with abnormally high levels of distress or SUD, is to survey. Vivon has developed a survey instrument that incorporates modalities that have proven validity and reliability. We've also developed tools that specifically identify causal factors within the legal services organization that fuel dysfunction. Reducing or eliminating just a few point sources of dysfunction leads to a significantly increased level of organizational well-being and productivity.
Intervention and SUD Treatment Coordination
A legal professional in long-term recovery has a distinct advantage in "cajoling" hesitant SUD afflicted lawyers into treatment. Our Legal Professionals Intervention Model (LPIM) is effective in starting the recovery process the right way. It also incorporates ethical considerations into the process, to ensure that the afflicted attorney and the law firm/legal services employer are complying with the relevant rules of professional conduct.
Vivon has identified and vetted treatment centers throughout the country that offer treatment regimes most suitable for lawyers suffering from SUD. There are approximately 14,500 rehabilitation facilities nationally. The vast majority lack the protocols most suitable for lawyers starting their SUD recovery journeys.
Return to Work - Liaison
We work with law firms, treatment counselors, and other mental health care providers to implement a return to work plan following treatment. Evidence shows that cognitive ability increases dramatically after initial treatment, but It takes time for the addicted brain to rewire and shake the phenomenon of craving. Relapse rates in the early months of abstinence following treatment are extraordinarily high - Somewhere around 85%. The work environment is often triggering for those new to recovery. Aftercare coordination with employers has been shown to substantially reduce relapse. Vivon coordinates with employers to ensure that the return to work is productive, with protocols in place to substantially reduce relapse. If relapse does occur, the employer is notified immediately. Our liaison function reduces the employer's uncertainty and ensures that all stakeholders are complying with ethical requirements concerning SUD impaired lawyers.
Aftercare Monitoring - Biological Verification of Abstinence
Aftercare compliance and abstinence monitoring are proven to substantially improve rates of long-term SUD remission. Those who participate in monitored aftercare and biological verification programs relapse at rates approximating only 15%. The vast majority of this relapsing cohort only fails a few times before achieving sustained, long-term remission. Those who aren't appropriately monitored, relapse at rates in the 85% range. The average person with severe SUD, who isn't monitored in early recovery, will go to treatment four times, over a span of several years, and usually lose everything before finding long-term remission. This assumes that death doesn't intervene. Effective monitoring substantially improves the prognosis for long-term remission.
The weak link in the standard SUD treatment model has always been the lack of accountability following initial treatment. The addicted brain takes time to cement the neuroplastic brain changes that eliminate the phenomenon of craving. It doesn't happen after a month. Strong trigger, cue, craving cycles persist for many months, and in many cases, the first few years of recovery. Monitoring has been shown to reduce craving, and provides the support necessary to push through temporal craving crises.
Vivon implements the most advanced, efficacious, and cost effective biological monitoring program available. As former active use addicts, we have a great deal of experience beating the traditional testing protocols. Our monitoring system makes it virtually impossible to use and escape detection. Our system also ensures that supervisory attorneys are complying with their ethical duties regarding a recovering colleague.