There are stigmatizing addictions..and then there is a pretty one: workaholism. Because it is a socially-acceptable one, there are very few clinicians who know how to treat it – or even to recognize it in the first place! Workaholism even has a derived niche addiction called “careaholism” and it’s blatant in the medical profession. Basically, the people suffering from this disease don’t feel worthwhile and useful unless they are needed – by as many people as possible – and these are the clinicians who overschedule day after day.
How can I blatantly say workaholism is an addiction when there is no substance involved? you may ask. Apparently, you can not get addicted to a process, but in reality work addicts produce their crack endogenously and their crack is the well-known adrenaline. Each time they need it, they create a deadline or a crisis – and after hours of unstoppable energy, they crash and they experience withdrawal.
“Chained to the Desk” is the first book totally dedicated to this topic – and I’ve read it word-by-word because I’ve lived with workaholics and because I experienced this high myself. I thought I always lead a very orderly life – always being above slackers and coffee/cigarette/alcohol addicts – but this book – and one nasty experience last year when I hit bottom because of continuous 100-hour workweeks – proved me wrong. I was just the same.
Despite its name, workaholism is not limited to paid work – ” we can also be workaholic in hobbies, fitness, housework, volunteering, or trying to save the world” – and I definitely did my fair share of social neglecting because I was too absorbed in being busy.
Don’t make the same mistakes because work won’t love you back!
