Work addiction
From Drug Rehab Wiki
Work addiction is the inability to stop obsessing about your job or career, even if that puts your relationships and health at risk. Another similar term is "workaholism."
In the United States, "work addiction" is a layman's term not used by doctors. In some other countries, however, obsession with your job is recognized as a serious condition. The Japanese term "karoshi" means working to the point of death, and it accounts for over 200 deaths annually. People in the Netherlands speak of "leisure sickness," or the development of flu-like symptoms when away from the job, a condition that affects 3% of the population.
Work addicts think about work whenever they are away from their places of employment. They have difficulty taking vacations, or even letting go of their jobs over weekends, and may experience stress and anxiety when they are not at their workplaces. They miss family events and other functions to remain on the job. They put in long hours and have difficulty having fun or relaxing. Modern technology, such as cell phones and computers, can often enable them to stay in touch 24-hours a day, compounding their problem.
Many work addicts suffer from stress-related illnesses, such as substance abuse disorders, obesity, headaches, stiff muscles, anxiety, and even cardio-vascular diseases.
Although most workaholics obsess about paid work, it is possible to have the same disorder based on a hobby, volunteer work or even parenting. It is also possible to be a work addict who works out of the home. Some people working in a career path that requires long hours, such as certain medical specialties, are not workaholics.
Although work addiction is not a medically recognized disease, there has been some scientific research about it. Workaholics usually suffer from low self esteem and often grow up in dysfunctional homes. Children of substance abusers often develop control issues, and cope with uncertainty by remaining at work. Children of overly strict parents can become perfectionists overly eager to please others, especially authority figures, and are therefore susceptible to workaholism.
Workaholics often do not rise within the ranks of their companies, because they tend to be inefficient. One study of mid- and senior-level executives found that those who put in 70 hours a week were actually less productive than those who worked around 50 hours a week.
Certain counselors and even residential treatment programs offer professional help to people suffering from work addiction. Cognitive therapy can often help them find a better balance of work, leisure and family. Workaholics Anonymous is a self-help group based on the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous. Members can meet in person or by telephone to help each other work through this issue.
