In a world driven by productivity, workaholism tends to be seen as a positive trait rather than a potentially serious addiction. Long hours, constant connectivity, and skipped vacations are typically praised by employers. It’s no wonder so many suffer silently, and sometimes obliviously, from an addiction often equated to dedication and ambition.
These widely held perceptions can make recognizing workaholism less clear-cut than other behavioral addictions or substance use disorders. Given this, it’s unsurprising there’s a lack of conclusive research on the subject, and the issue has remained controversial since the 1960s.
To add to the complexity, working long hours doesn’t always equate with an addiction. Some people are genuinely passionate about their vocation, working frequently but maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Others, like doctors or lawyers, may have to work long hours because their job demands it.
However, when your relationship with work is harming your well-being and personal relationships, it’s essential to properly address it. Despite its societal camouflage, workaholism can be a severe issue, often leading to stress, burnout, and a range of other serious health conditions.
At Tikvah Lake, a large number of our clients have held high-pressure jobs and dealt with the consequences of workaholism. What’s more, many were unaware of the severity of their addiction. This is why we’re committed to deconstructing the myths of workaholism and highlighting its damaging effects. If you believe you may be suffering from a work addiction, we want to enable you to recuperate, regain balance, and restore your health and relationships.
What is workaholism?
The terms “workaholism” and “work addiction” are often used interchangeably to describe a pattern of behavior characterized by excessive time spent working.
This preoccupation with work responsibilities can lead to the detriment of other life areas, and an inability to detach from work-related tasks and responsibilities. Workaholics draw most of their identity from their work, pushing aside other roles, relationships, and activities in the pursuit of professional success.
Despite the potential for short-term achievements and productivity, workaholism frequently leads to significant personal, social, and physical health issues. Ironically, this can undermine the very success you’ve worked so hard to achieve.
There are myriad reasons why someone might develop a work addiction. It could be driven by the desire to avoid emotional pain or unhealthy relationship dynamics. It may also be a response to trauma, or the result of a behavioral disorder such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In some cases, it can be a combination of the above.
This is why comprehensive treatment is so important as it helps you to understand the root cause of your workaholism, work through any issues, and learn alternative, healthier coping mechanisms. However, the first step lies in recognizing it as an addiction. This is crucial for addressing and treating the problem effectively.
Understanding society’s influence on work addiction
Many societies place a heavy emphasis on professional success and achievement. Often at the expense of a healthy work-life balance and personal well-being, such pressure can inadvertently fuel work addiction.
This is especially true of the United States. The average American gets just 11 days paid vacation a year, whereas Europeans are guaranteed at least 20. This highlights the fact that U.S. work culture may afford you fewer opportunities to disconnect and recharge. You might be familiar with this kind of pressure – to continuously prioritize work over your personal life to meet expectations of success and commitment.
The dominant cultural narrative in America celebrates relentless work and undervalues time off, compelling individuals to remain constantly available. What’s more, with the rise of technology and remote work, the lines between your professional and personal life can become increasingly blurred, making it harder to switch off from work-related responsibilities.
To actively recover, you may have to decondition yourself from cultural norms and expectations. Balancing your overall well-being with your professional life could involve some difficult but necessary choices. But such choices will pay dividends for your health and relationships in the long term.
Workaholism statistics in the United States
A 2019 study analyzing 2,000 working Americans discovered that almost half (48%) identify themselves as modern-day “workaholics.” Interestingly, only a small portion (28%) cited financial reasons as the driving force behind their excessive work habits.
Further insights from Deloitte’s survey of 1,000 full-time U.S. professionals reveal:
- A staggering 77% of full-time American workers have faced burnout in their current jobs. This statistic aligns with findings from a Harvard Business School survey, which reported that 94% of service professionals work over 50 hours a week.
- Nearly 70% of professionals believe their employers aren’t taking adequate measures to prevent or mitigate burnout within their organizations.
- Close to half of the millennial workforce have exited a job due to feelings of burnout.
10 myths about work addiction
A narrative review of all the up-to-date literature on work addiction identified prevalent myths that can hinder proper comprehension and management of work addiction.
These myths, alongside the actual facts, are as follows:
| Myth | Fact |
| Work addiction is a new behavioral addiction. | Work addiction has been researched for years and is an established condition. |
| Work addiction is the same as other behavioral addictions. | While work addiction shares some similarities with other behavioral addictions, it is distinct in that it can be more difficult to identify, due to common perceptions of “workaholism” being productive and positive. |
| Only psychosocial consequences result from work addiction. | Plenty of evidence links work addiction to serious mental and physical illnesses. |
| Work addiction and workaholism are identical. | Both terms are often used interchangeably. However, while “work addiction” is based on addiction theory, “workaholism” is often misinterpreted as praiseworthy. |
| Work addiction is solely due to individual personality factors. | Many factors, beyond just personality, contribute to work addiction, including work and workplace characteristics. |
| Only adults experience work addiction. | Cases of study addiction (a potential early form of work addiction) have been reported in students. |
| Some work addiction types are positive. | If classified as an addiction, the long-term harm from excessive work always surpasses any short-term benefits. |
| Work addiction is a temporary behavior linked to specific situations. | Some evidence shows persistent work addiction in certain people, but prevalence is unknown due to varying diagnostic criteria. |
| Work addiction depends on the time spent working. | Time spent working is not the main factor in work addiction. The content and context of the behavior are more critical in identifying addictive behavior. |
| Work addiction is not a real condition, but rather an example of pathologizing everyday behavior. | While it isn’t yet listed in the DSM-5, many experts generally recognize work addiction as an addictive disorder. |
Workaholism and psychiatric disorders
The relationship between mental health and addiction is often a mutual one. In many cases, both intensify each other and perpetuate a cycle that’s hard to break.
This is just as true for workaholism.
In 2016, a large study from Norway revealed a notable link between work addiction and various psychiatric disorders. The research, which encompassed 16,426 working adults, showcased that workaholics consistently scored higher on all psychiatric symptoms compared to non-workaholics.
Among the subjects classified as workaholics, 32.7% met the criteria for ADHD, 25.6% for OCD, 33.8% for anxiety, and 8.9% for depression. These figures contrast sharply with non-workaholics, reinforcing the correlation between work addiction and mental health issues.
This evidence highlights the underlying psychological or emotional issues workaholics often grapple with, elevating the urgency to address work addiction as a serious concern.
The implications of this study stress the need for enhanced scrutiny and further research into the intricate relationship between workaholism and psychiatric disorders. At Tikvah Lake, we’ve long understood the close relationship between psychiatric conditions and addiction, which is why we always incorporate dual diagnosis into our programs.
How to recognize if you have a work addiction
As we already mentioned, working a lot doesn’t necessarily mean you have an addiction that requires treatment. It’s when excessive, compulsive working begins to have a negative impact on your life that you need to address it.
A study published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology supports the three-dimensional scale of workaholism, including:
- high work involvement
- an intense drive to work
- limited enjoyment of work.
It’s essential to learn to recognize the signs of work addiction early on, as early intervention can prevent a cascade of related issues, ranging from strained relationships to serious health conditions.
Awareness of these signs is the first critical step toward seeking necessary help and support, paving the way for balance and holistic well-being.
- Neglecting personal health – Overlooking your physical and mental well-being, consistently prioritizing work over personal health and self-care.
- Overlooking leisure and family – A continuous disregard for your leisure activities and family responsibilities signals a potential work addiction.
- Constant exhaustion – Persistent fatigue and an inability to disengage from work responsibilities.
- Working beyond contractual hours – An unwavering compulsion to work outside of agreed-upon hours.
- Physical symptoms – Persistent sleep disturbances, headaches, and digestive issues, stemming from constant work and stress.
- Turning to drugs to cope – Using substances like opiates, or alcohol so you can work more.
- Emotional toll – Persistent irritability, anxiety, and feelings of emptiness may indicate the emotional strain of workaholism.
- Checking emails immediately upon waking – A behavior confessed by 58% of American office employees while still in bed.
Treatment for workaholism
After recognizing you may be suffering from workaholism, recovery begins with a proper assessment. At Tikvah Lake, this is the first step of our residential program and enables our health professionals to determine whether you have any co-occurring conditions that need to be factored in.
We can then personalize treatment plans that help you get to the root of your workaholism. For high-profile professionals who can’t commit to a longer stay, our 10-day Executive Treatment may be a suitable alternative.
Some of the most effective treatments for workaholism include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT has consistently been shown to be highly effective for treating addictive behaviors, including workaholism. At Tikvah Lake, residents can engage in CBT sessions to identify particular triggers and circumstances that may intensify their addiction to work. Recognizing these triggers allows them to formulate robust coping mechanisms, substantially lowering the likelihood of succumbing to the addictive patterns of work addiction in the future.
Group therapy sessions
Far from a sole endeavor, healing is a shared experience. Group therapy sessions offer a space for those suffering from workaholism to unite and exchange their unique narratives, hurdles, and victories.
Engaging with others facing similar challenges, participants can find the essential social support that bolsters strength, offers insights, and crafts a supportive network crucial for the recovery journey.
Family therapy
Embracing family involvement is often critical in navigating the path to recovery from work addiction. Family therapy offers a structured setting for you and your loved ones to explore the impact of workaholism, fostering empathy and understanding within the family unit. It equips your family with strategies to provide support, improve communication, and rebuild relationships.
At Tikvah Lake, family involvement is especially crucial in the third phase of our treatment programs. This pivotal step not only reinforces your resilience but also fortifies family bonds, building a supportive environment for you to transition back to your roles in the family and society.
Holistic wellness
Different from conventional treatments, holistic wellness is concerned with the unity of the body, mind, and spirit. It goes beyond addressing the physical dimensions of work addiction to explore all the other elements that accompany this condition.
At Tikvah Lake, an array of alternative healing methods – including yoga, meditation, and personalized nutrition plans – can be integrated into your treatment protocol. This holistic approach ensures comprehensive healing, getting to the root cause of your work addiction rather than just addressing surface-level symptoms.
How Tikvah Lake Recovery can help
Amidst the calm embrace of nature, Tikvah Lake’s serene lakeside campus in sunny Florida offers the perfect setting for deep relaxation, reflection, and comprehensive healing. The natural, tranquil surroundings act as a salve for the mental and emotional turmoil workaholism brings, promoting a holistic revival of body, mind, and spirit.
At Tikvah Lake, you’ll find an experienced team of professionals dedicated to addressing the myriad facets of emotional and mental health concerns tied to addiction.
Our individualized, evidence-based approach to treatment ensures you can confidently walk the path toward swift, sustainable recovery.
Reach out to Tikvah Lake Recovery today for a confidential chat with one of our team. Embark on your journey to reclaiming a well-rounded, fulfilling life free from the stresses of work addiction.
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