This story illuminates two difficulties for addicts: "I don't have a problem," is the first. 
Even when all evidence - legal and logical - suggests this person's problem is massive, unresolved. 
Second problem is accessing addiction treatment. Addiction is Canada's Number One public health problem,  but we spend less than 3 bucks per year per Canuck. Has the Alberta Bar Association prepared for this disaster by making addiction treatment available for members?
Thirty years ago, the BC Bar Society did.
They contracted Elmer Ratzlaff FRCP(C) to provide confidential, medical treatment to remediate addictive behaviours. Fewer stories like this come out of BC: maybe Coast lawyers have better access to addiction treatment.  Then, maybe not.
Dr. Ratzlaff left Canada in 1996, disgusted that, as the only board-certified addiction specialist in the country, he had to make a living by treating the flu and delivering babies.
I don't see much improvement in the past 20 years.