Understanding and Treating Work Addiction
For a great number of people, having a fulfilling and successful career is one of the main priorities in life. However, in some cases, this pursuit can become all-consuming, leading to a disorder known as work addiction, or ‘workaholism.’ Those affected by it have an unstoppable urge to work, which can lead to issues in other areas of their lives.
Admittedly, some people might be labelled as’ workaholics’ or’ perfectionists’ by colleagues, friends, or family members. That, however, doesn’t automatically mean that they are, indeed, addicted to work. This type of addiction often arises from a deep-seated desire for success and favourable social standing, making one unable to control the overwhelming fixation on work.
If you’re facing this type of dependency, you’re likely spending most of your time at work, which poses a risk to both your physical and mental health. In particular, this disorder can significantly worsen stress in affected people. Therefore, it comes as very little surprise that in 2022/23, approximately half of work-related instances of health issues were linked to anxiety, depression, or stress.
Fortunately, there is a path to recovery from work addiction. At AddictionRehab, we offer personalised treatment programmes led by our skilled therapists and psychiatrists. They will aid you in letting go of detrimental habits and craft a healthy balance between your work and personal life.
What is Work Addiction?
Undoubtedly, having a job and maintaining a stable career are essential parts of adulthood. After all, working allows you to afford necessities like food and rent, and to provide for a family. But at what point does the pursuit of work, driven by the desire for a certain level of comfort, cross the line into unhealthy territory? Considering how essential work is, this type of addiction should only be diagnosed when it’s negatively impacting other areas of one’s life.
Those who are struggling with this type of addiction typically can’t control their urge to work excessively, often exceeding their designated working hours. This, understandably, impacts their personal relationships and leisure time negatively and leads others to see them as ‘workaholics’ and ‘perfectionists’. According to research, roughly 10% of the working population may fulfil the criteria for diagnosing work addiction.
Signs of Work Addiction
Although being highly motivated is viewed as a truly positive trait to have, it can lead your higher-ups and yourself to form unrealistic expectations. This can, in turn, cause a pattern of compulsive overworking to fulfil those expectations. Therefore, having an overly ambitious personality and a tendency to strive for perfection can increase your chances of work addiction.
Distinguishing between a person with a strong work ethic and someone who suffers from a harmful work addiction can be challenging. Nevertheless, the following indicators may point to unhealthy work patterns that surpass reasonable job requirements:
- Regularly thinking about how to carve out more time for work, even in your free time
- Staying at work until late and engaging in overtime work despite not planning to
- Experiencing feelings of irritability or stress when you’re unable to work a certain period of time and when you wish to
- Prioritising work requirements over exercise, hobbies, special interests and spending valuable time with your friends and family
- Disregarding colleagues’ and loved ones’ pleas to scale back on your workload
- Seeing work as a coping mechanism to alleviate inner feelings of helplessness, anxiety, stress, or depression
- Noticing a detrimental impact on your overall wellbeing and health due to overwork
If you suspect work addiction in someone close to you, looking into the effects of overwork on their physical and mental health can help you decide if there are reasons for concern. Specifically, if you notice any of the symptoms below, you should urge them to consult a specialist without delay:
- Heightened anxiety
- Exhaustion
- Feeling irritable
- Elevated stress
- Signs of depression
- Greater substance use
What causes work addiction?
- Genetics
Having looked into different types of dependency disorders, researchers suggest that genetics may affect your susceptibility to work addiction. They argue that the chemistry of your brain and inherited characteristics may influence how prone you are to addictions in general. As such, your genetic composition, alongside other factors, might determine your likelihood of developing unhealthy work habits.
- Environment and upbringing
Although being a diligent worker is essentially a positive trait, how your family sees work and how you’ve been raised can influence whether or not you’re prone to working excessively as an adult. If one or both of your parents often emphasised the value of a successful career and hard work during your childhood, you may accept these opinions as your own. Similarly, if they frequently worked overtime, it might lead you to believe that overworking is a normal part of life.
What lies behind us and what lies before us are
tiny matters compared to what lies within us
Treatment Options for Work Addiction
If working to an excessive degree is affecting your life, therapy can help you regain work-life balance. Depending on the severity of your addiction, we offer different types of treatment programmes.
You can undergo inpatient treatment at any of our facilities if necessary. This option will provide round-the-clock support in a secure and nurturing environment, allowing you to distance yourself from your unhealthy behaviour. Our team of specialists from different fields, including therapists and psychiatrists, will develop a thorough and effective therapy plan to treat your addiction.
In particular, you might benefit from the inpatient treatment if you’re simultaneously suffering from depression, anxiety, or any other psychological conditions that may have resulted from or made worse by unhealthy work patterns.
For individuals facing particularly severe challenges, we offer a comprehensive 28-day programme tailored to address their addiction. Upon successful completion, participants will be able to receive post-treatment support for a full year, as well as family support, free of charge.
In most cases, outpatient and day-care therapy are the recommended options for treating work addiction. Day-care treatment provides a setting that’s similar to inpatient treatment, while outpatient care offers additional support for those who have already completed a more intensive programme. Both approaches employ a variety of therapeutic techniques to assist individuals in incorporating healthier practices into their daily routines.
Regardless of the treatment plan you choose, you will have access to a full year of follow-up support. Our aftercare programme is designed with the aim of minimising the chance of a relapse and providing a support system that you can rely on as you transition back into your everyday life.
Think You are Suffering from Work Addiction?
If the compulsive desire to work is jeopardising your wellbeing, it’s important that you seek professional help. At (name of facility), we provide a wide range of treatment and therapy options that will help you regain your work-life balance. Schedule a free complimentary assessment appointment and receive detailed information about work addiction and the treatment and recovery process. Contact us today to embark on a transformative path in your life.
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