The Problem 

Workaholism takes many forms. Among them: deriving our identity and self-esteem from what we do; keeping overly busy; neglecting our health, relationships, and spirituality; seeing everything as work-related; having no desire to do anything (work avoidance or burnout); procrastinating; postponing vacations and rest; doing unnecessary work; worrying; perfectionism; avoiding intimacy; being controlling. All these are ways we cope with the pain of having lost our sense of being and of not feeling good enough. Overscheduling our lives with activities is how we run from ourselves. We keep busy to blot out our feelings. We enjoy the adrenaline highs that come from intensity and rushing to meet deadlines. Maybe we are praised and promoted at work for being responsible and hard-working. We may even be employed by a workaholic company which uses praise and promotion to encourage our addiction. Yet we have paid an enormous price for these “rewards.” We have traded self-awareness for burying our pain in work and worry. We have endangered our health and destroyed our relationships. We may have often felt, “Is this all there is?” 

Because there are many misconceptions about workaholism, recognizing it may take a long time. It is both a substance (adrenaline) and a process (overdoing) addiction and is not limited to our paid work life. We can also be workaholic in hobbies, fitness, housework, volunteering, or in trying to save the world. All of these may appear admirable, but if they mean self-abandonment due to incessant doing, it is work addiction. Since this is a progressive disease, ultimately we become more driven until we hit bottom. Our bottom may come in the form of a serious health problem or an ultimatum from our partner, employer, or a friend. At some point, “workaholic” is no longer a label we prize. We realize that we have to change. To help guide us in our recovery, there are the Twelve Suggested Steps of Workaholics Anonymous. Because our work addiction is so entrenched in our lives, the process seems overwhelming. How much time will recovery take? We are already too busy! What do we do with our commitments and responsibilities? 

(Workaholics Anonymous pamphlet, “Recovery from Workaholism: The Twelve Steps”)