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The Addicted Lawyer: Tales of the Bar, Booze, Blow, and Redemption
Brian Cuban was a successful lawyer—and an addict.
Brian Cuban was living a lie. With a famous last name and a successful career as a lawyer, Brian was able to hide his clinical depression and alcohol and cocaine addictions—for a while.
Today, as an inspirational speaker in long-term recovery, Brian looks back on his journey with honesty, compassion, and even humor as he reflects both on what he has learned about himself and his career choice and how the legal profession enables addiction. His demons, which date to his childhood, controlled him through failed marriages and stays in a psychiatric facility, until they brought him to the brink of suicide. That was his wake-up call. This is his story.
Brian also takes an in-depth look at why there is such a high percentage of problematic alcohol use and other mental health issues in the legal profession. What types of therapies work? Are 12-step programs the only answer? Brian also includes interviews with experts on the subject as well as others in the profession who are now in recovery. The Addicted Lawyer is both a serious study of addiction and a compelling story of redemption.
Brian Cuban was living a lie. With a famous last name and a successful career as a lawyer, Brian was able to hide his clinical depression and alcohol and cocaine addictions—for a while.
Today, as an inspirational speaker in long-term recovery, Brian looks back on his journey with honesty, compassion, and even humor as he reflects both on what he has learned about himself and his career choice and how the legal profession enables addiction. His demons, which date to his childhood, controlled him through failed marriages and stays in a psychiatric facility, until they brought him to the brink of suicide. That was his wake-up call. This is his story.
Brian also takes an in-depth look at why there is such a high percentage of problematic alcohol use and other mental health issues in the legal profession. What types of therapies work? Are 12-step programs the only answer? Brian also includes interviews with experts on the subject as well as others in the profession who are now in recovery. The Addicted Lawyer is both a serious study of addiction and a compelling story of redemption.
272 pages, Paperback
Published June 13, 2017
58 people are currently reading
269 people want to read
About the author
Brian Cuban
7 books149 followersBrian Cuban, the younger brother of Dallas Mavericks owner and entrepreneur Mark Cuban, is a Dallas-based attorney, author, and person in long-term recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. He is a graduate of Penn State University and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.
Brian's debut thriller, The Ambulance Chaser, will be released December 7th 2021. Lawyer Jason Feldman is accused of the murder of a high school classmate thirty years prior. He becomes a fugitive from justice to find the one person who prove his innocence and save the life of his abducted son.
His previous, best selling book, The Addicted Lawyer: Tales of the Bar, Booze, Blow, and Redemption is an unflinching look at how addiction and other mental health issues destroyed his career as a once successful lawyer, and how he and others in the profession redefined their lives in recovery and found redemption.
Brian has spoken at colleges, universities, conferences, non-profits, and legal events across the United States and in Canada. His columns have appeared—and he has been quoted on these topics—online and in print newspapers around the world. He currently resides in Dallas, Texas with his wife and two cats.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 16, 2017
Well written, passionate, moving, scary and real.
December 16, 2017
This book is a must read for everyone! Brian does an amazing job letting the reader into his head as he tells his story. It shines a light into what addiction truly looks like and how much it can destroy lives. It is a very relatable story showing that recovery isn't easy but it is possible! It is a story of hope and strength. No matter how many low points Brian hit, he never gave up! Whether you are struggling, in recovery, or know someone who has an addiction, you can learn from this book!
October 5, 2017
Some parts were interesting. I think he's a pretty good writer. The two things that drove me absolutely bonkers and contributed to the low rating were: 1. The events he was writing about having no real order or organization. This should have read more like a story and gone chronologically. Instead, it leaves you confused trying to remember what events happened when and at what stage of his life. 2. The redundant repetition of the same thing over and over (see what I did there?). The book could've been 100 pages shorter if he didn't say the same thing in slightly different ways so often. Overall, it was okay. I hope it helps someone who is dealing with addiction.
April 13, 2023
RICK “SHAQ” GOLDSTEIN SAYS: ONE IS TOO MANY… AND A THOUSAND IS NEVER ENOUGH! THE FIRST DAY OF ONE-DAY-AT-A-TIME- HAD BEGUN.
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Innumerable addictions… ruin the lives of countless millions of people around the world. Any human being ever even “six-degrees-of-separation” from a non-recovering addict is affected in innumerable negative… emotional and physical ways. Thankfully… for the entire human race… acceptance… and growing avenues of support in the last twenty-five years… have made reaching the light at the end of the tunnel… more attainable.
My feelings about the story the author… Brian Cuban… has produced here… are multi-faceted… and just like helping an addict… I will pull no punches… along with my offering praise. First of all… being that Brian is the brother of Dallas Maverick billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban… if I were the author… I would have never had the biggest… marketing quote… for his book… be from his famous brother… right there emblazoned largely on the front cover. Brian’s story… can easily… stand on its own… both entertainingly… and educationally. This just shows an ongoing dependence on his brother’s fame… something that the author makes a major point of late in the book… in getting away from his “FAME-UMBRELLA”. I think having that adorning the cover… is like the author having a relapse of one of his addict traits.
The author’s story is told with enough self-deprecating humor… that makes the debauchery Brian… (and most addicts) enveloped himself in… to destroy his life… be… dare I say entertaining. (a tough word to use regarding such a serious subject) The one negative about his fast-paced narrative… is that he kept going forward… and back… and forward… in time. If the reader is truly interested in the narrative… and dutifully wants to track and absorb the ups and downs of the author’s battle to beat his multiple addictions… these constant back and forths in time stamps… is very disconcerting.
One of the main subjects that the author circles his ”literary-wagon” around… is how addiction prone attorneys are. Brian was a failed attorney… who… according to Brian… never even wanted to be an attorney in the first place. Some statistics are provided touting how much higher the addiction rate is in the legal field. There is an old adage that states “statistics lie… and liars use statistics”! I feel his book could just as easily been about the perils of addiction as a whole… as addiction has no color… it has no specific gender… race… religion… or job title. Trying to tie the scourge of addiction to the “stress” of law school… or defending a client… is kind of off-putting… to a janitor who loses his job and has to go home and tell his wife and four kids he can’t pay the rent… or the truck driver who put all his families money into a large truck to start his own business and finds out it was repossessed while he was sleeping after driving for eighteen hours straight. The picture the author paints of the “poor-poor-stress-ridden-attorneys”… really… in my opinion… takes away from the overall power of this otherwise well written book.
My closing praise of this book… I believe says it all. I recommend this book to any person who is suffering from addiction…or any family member or friend… or work associate… being affected by someone in the grips of addiction… whether you’re an attorney or not.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Innumerable addictions… ruin the lives of countless millions of people around the world. Any human being ever even “six-degrees-of-separation” from a non-recovering addict is affected in innumerable negative… emotional and physical ways. Thankfully… for the entire human race… acceptance… and growing avenues of support in the last twenty-five years… have made reaching the light at the end of the tunnel… more attainable.
My feelings about the story the author… Brian Cuban… has produced here… are multi-faceted… and just like helping an addict… I will pull no punches… along with my offering praise. First of all… being that Brian is the brother of Dallas Maverick billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban… if I were the author… I would have never had the biggest… marketing quote… for his book… be from his famous brother… right there emblazoned largely on the front cover. Brian’s story… can easily… stand on its own… both entertainingly… and educationally. This just shows an ongoing dependence on his brother’s fame… something that the author makes a major point of late in the book… in getting away from his “FAME-UMBRELLA”. I think having that adorning the cover… is like the author having a relapse of one of his addict traits.
The author’s story is told with enough self-deprecating humor… that makes the debauchery Brian… (and most addicts) enveloped himself in… to destroy his life… be… dare I say entertaining. (a tough word to use regarding such a serious subject) The one negative about his fast-paced narrative… is that he kept going forward… and back… and forward… in time. If the reader is truly interested in the narrative… and dutifully wants to track and absorb the ups and downs of the author’s battle to beat his multiple addictions… these constant back and forths in time stamps… is very disconcerting.
One of the main subjects that the author circles his ”literary-wagon” around… is how addiction prone attorneys are. Brian was a failed attorney… who… according to Brian… never even wanted to be an attorney in the first place. Some statistics are provided touting how much higher the addiction rate is in the legal field. There is an old adage that states “statistics lie… and liars use statistics”! I feel his book could just as easily been about the perils of addiction as a whole… as addiction has no color… it has no specific gender… race… religion… or job title. Trying to tie the scourge of addiction to the “stress” of law school… or defending a client… is kind of off-putting… to a janitor who loses his job and has to go home and tell his wife and four kids he can’t pay the rent… or the truck driver who put all his families money into a large truck to start his own business and finds out it was repossessed while he was sleeping after driving for eighteen hours straight. The picture the author paints of the “poor-poor-stress-ridden-attorneys”… really… in my opinion… takes away from the overall power of this otherwise well written book.
My closing praise of this book… I believe says it all. I recommend this book to any person who is suffering from addiction…or any family member or friend… or work associate… being affected by someone in the grips of addiction… whether you’re an attorney or not.
November 18, 2017
5 Truths For Addicts In High Stakes Careers From ‘The Addicted Lawyer’
The truth is out: doctors, lawyers, and politicians are people too. Like the rest of us, they can struggle with moderate to severe substance use disorder, and it’s about time we talk about it. Luckily, more and more professional leaders are opening up about their struggles with addiction, taking on stigma and the cultures within their professions that contributed to keeping them sick.
Brian Cuban is a lawyer-turned-advocate shedding light on the unique experiences of those in high stakes careers with substance use disorder. Here are the takeaways from his book, The Addicted Lawyer.
1. Public scrutiny won’t keep you sober.
Addiction is a brain disease, not a test of sheer will. This is why those in positions of power, with everything to lose, aren’t able to quit using and avoid public consequences. This is why an NFL coach will snort coke on camera, despite having a dream job. Substance use disorder, like other health issues, doesn’t care about your title or your parking space.
Read more on Workithealth.com
The truth is out: doctors, lawyers, and politicians are people too. Like the rest of us, they can struggle with moderate to severe substance use disorder, and it’s about time we talk about it. Luckily, more and more professional leaders are opening up about their struggles with addiction, taking on stigma and the cultures within their professions that contributed to keeping them sick.
Brian Cuban is a lawyer-turned-advocate shedding light on the unique experiences of those in high stakes careers with substance use disorder. Here are the takeaways from his book, The Addicted Lawyer.
1. Public scrutiny won’t keep you sober.
Addiction is a brain disease, not a test of sheer will. This is why those in positions of power, with everything to lose, aren’t able to quit using and avoid public consequences. This is why an NFL coach will snort coke on camera, despite having a dream job. Substance use disorder, like other health issues, doesn’t care about your title or your parking space.
Read more on Workithealth.com
April 9, 2021
'The Addicted Lawyer' is written in a brutally honest and relatable voice that's a true gift to its readers. While I'm not a lawyer or an addict, this book spoke to me on a deep level. Kudos to Brian Cuban for sharing his vulnerabilities in a way that will undoubtedly help lawyers and non-lawyers alike in coming to terms with the sources and the path to recovery from dysfunctional behaviors.
I have eagerly started Brian's book 'Shattered Image' and look forward to reading his future books, 'The Ambulance Chaser' and beyond.
I have eagerly started Brian's book 'Shattered Image' and look forward to reading his future books, 'The Ambulance Chaser' and beyond.
February 9, 2020
A poignant and pragmatic read.
This book is so candid and searingly open that it jars you. You understand Brian’s descent into addiction and how he lost parts of his better angels. Yet, he shows that with help you can climb out and find the best parts of yourself. His focus on what resources exist and what resources should exist make this much more than a personal story. It is a mission statement.
This book is so candid and searingly open that it jars you. You understand Brian’s descent into addiction and how he lost parts of his better angels. Yet, he shows that with help you can climb out and find the best parts of yourself. His focus on what resources exist and what resources should exist make this much more than a personal story. It is a mission statement.
May 31, 2023
an honest tale of self discovery
The author provides an honest and transparent view of his journey of recovery from drugs, alcohol and depression. He talks about the fear, anxiety and all of the psychological baggage he carried through the years and how his support system finally helped him with recovery once he realized he is the one who has to be ready for the recovery.
The author provides an honest and transparent view of his journey of recovery from drugs, alcohol and depression. He talks about the fear, anxiety and all of the psychological baggage he carried through the years and how his support system finally helped him with recovery once he realized he is the one who has to be ready for the recovery.
December 31, 2020
interesting story. Learned about addiction
April 28, 2021
A moving story told in a very readable way.
October 7, 2021
An important read about the flaws of the legal system that give rise to mental health and addiction battles for far too many attorneys
May 1, 2023
Great novel: a page turner! I love a good redemption story and this one is mingled with plot twists and adventure. It truly ran like a movie in my mind. I'd love to see it on the big screen!
March 2, 2020
Fantastic, yet frightening
Brian Cuban’s book gives an emotionally honest and, at times, horrifying look into the world of addiction. It also provides insight into how a lawyer with an addiction can hide that fact - from their coworkers, clients, family, and even themselves.
Importantly, ‘The Addicted Lawyer’ goes on to suggest solutions for lawyers and law students struggling with addiction. It also provides practical ideas on how to help for the organizations around them, such as bar associations, law firms, and universities.
Cuban’s writing is excellent and highly personal. Without his direct, readable approach, this book might have devolved into a string of drug and alcohol horror stories. Instead, Cuban paints an honest and ultimately uplifting portrait of addiction and recovery. As he writes near the end of the book, “As long as you are above ground, both recovery and living redemption are possible.”
I highly recommend ’The Addicted Lawyer.’ If you or someone you know is battling addiction, it might point out a path to success. If you don’t know anyone fighting addiction, it will make you thankful for that fact.
Brian Cuban’s book gives an emotionally honest and, at times, horrifying look into the world of addiction. It also provides insight into how a lawyer with an addiction can hide that fact - from their coworkers, clients, family, and even themselves.
Importantly, ‘The Addicted Lawyer’ goes on to suggest solutions for lawyers and law students struggling with addiction. It also provides practical ideas on how to help for the organizations around them, such as bar associations, law firms, and universities.
Cuban’s writing is excellent and highly personal. Without his direct, readable approach, this book might have devolved into a string of drug and alcohol horror stories. Instead, Cuban paints an honest and ultimately uplifting portrait of addiction and recovery. As he writes near the end of the book, “As long as you are above ground, both recovery and living redemption are possible.”
I highly recommend ’The Addicted Lawyer.’ If you or someone you know is battling addiction, it might point out a path to success. If you don’t know anyone fighting addiction, it will make you thankful for that fact.
August 25, 2017
Brian Cuban describes his long time struggles with alcohol and drugs and his road to recovery and redemption. With humor and honesty, he describes his journey and also described other's journeys, while exploring why it is that lawyers are much more likely to have abuse issues and suffer from depression and anxiety issues than other professions or the general public. An excellent read and one that shines a spotlight on the profession's issues with addiction.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews