What is a work addiction?

Do you get a lot of job satisfaction? Great! 

Do you also manage to close your laptop in the evening and relax? Are you really holidaying when you’re on holiday? Or do you check your email messages first thing in the morning?

Do you feel like you have no choice? That you have to do this? Then it’s time to sound the alarm.

Someone who is addicted to their work is obsessed with it. They can’t stop, even when relationships break down or burnout threatens. They have lost all control over what they want to do or not do.

For most workaholics, their work is an escape from reality and/or negative feelings. It may also be that underlying traumas or fears are the cause of the addiction. For example, you may be afraid of failing or being inadequate, or you fear being sacked or made redundant. Motives such as being ‘seen’ and acknowledged are also very strong human impulses that can trigger and sustain addiction.

Often clients tell us that they have been labelled with a dual diagnosis. At intake and admission, we always do our own clinical screening. This is because it is difficult to distinguish between the symptoms of the addiction itself and other causes. Many symptoms specific to and resulting from addiction and/or trauma are ‘controlled’ with medication, but this isn’t always necessary, and the medication can be tapered off where appropriate.

The first and most important step is admitting you have a problem. The moment you cross that difficult threshold, a multidisciplinary and experienced team is ready to guide you.

Together we will find the most appropriate solution for you. You can be helped on an outpatient basis or opt to be admitted to our home environment.