I’m Addicted To Work – What Can I Do?

Being addicted to work, also known as being a workaholic, is a problem that many encounter in today’s fast-paced, stressful world. In this work-obsessed culture, it is easy to believe that being a workaholic is a good thing. After all, they get a lot of work done! However, being dependent on work has some serious negative consequences.

In the article “Workaholism: A Review”, the author Steven Sussman explains that people who are addicted to work are unable to maintain a balance between their personal life and their work life.

Why are so many people addicted to work?

As we mentioned earlier,  society does not see work addiction as a bad thing. In general, it is socially acceptable to sacrifice quality time with the family to make their lives “better”.

This is a problem because it gives workaholics a very practical excuse. “I do this for you” is one of the phrases you often hear. It does not matter if they are sick, on vacation, or if it is simply not during working hours. An individual who is dependent on work still goes there if they are ill, work extra hours, and do not take a holiday.

Many workaholics work freelance, which makes it even easier for them not to take a vacation. Freelancers have a built-in excuse to work all the time, thus forgetting their family and their social life. The job is everything, so relationships with others end up at the back of the queue.

Advice for workaholics

Being dependent on work can affect both your physical and emotional health. It is precisely because of this that it is important to realize that you have a problem and to take some steps to deal with it. Many companies have a helpful protocol that they use when they notice that an employee is working too much. If you feel you have a problem, you can apply the same strategy.

Evaluation and therapy when you are dependent on work

The first piece of advice to workaholics is to get an evaluation from a healthcare professional, and then start therapy. Many experts believe that cognitive behavioral therapy is effective in helping individuals make a change in their daily lives.

The following actions are also helpful in recovering from a workaholic:

• Join so-called workshops  focused on developing emotional competence.
• Learn stress management techniques to deal with the anxiety you feel when you are not working.
• Find a support group for people in a similar situation.
• Try to investigate the root cause of your work addiction . Why do you seek comfort in your job?

Family therapy

When you are struggling with workaholism, it is important that you involve your family. This addiction can lead to a rather unhealthy family dynamic, something you should work on together.

If you feel that your family does not understand you, it is easy to use your job to escape from your problems. This is another reason why family therapy is absolutely fundamental to recovery.

The role of the employer

Although it is important that you take control of the situation, your employer should also have protocols in place for people who work too much.

Some of the things that companies use to discourage workaholics are to redesign positions, make positions more flexible, have required breaks, and encourage collaboration. The employer should also be careful not to reward those who work the most hours.

Do you think you are addicted to work? Do you feel like you never have time for friends and family? If the answer to these questions is yes, there is a solution for you. Any addiction is a problem. The most important thing you can do is find out the root cause and ask for help.