Do you think you are addicted to work? Do you sacrifice your social and family life in the name of work? This article will help you know how to move in order to get out of this situation and regain balance in your life.
Last update: June 07, 2020
Having a work addiction, also known as workaholism, is typical of some people and it may initially seem like an advantage as they produce and work harder. In reality, however, it has rather serious consequences on the personal life of the individual.
As indicated in various studies and articles published on the subject, those who develop a work addiction live with the aim of carrying out their work responsibilities in a compulsive way. For this reason, he is unable to maintain a balance between his personal and work life.
What causes a person to develop a work addiction?
Being addicted to work is not viewed negatively by society. Work and sacrifice using the search for better family chances as an excuse is generally approved by society.
It is a problem, however, as the addiction just gets fed. "I do it for you" becomes one of the most repeated phrases. No matter sickness, holidays or working hours. Those who depend on work stay after hours, go to work even if they are ill and, if they can, give up their holidays.
For all of this, very often those who develop a work addiction work on their own, so you can work as many hours as you want without ever disconnecting. They completely forget about their social and family life, their relationships get cold because work becomes everything for them.
"I became addicted to work to the point of endangering my health."
-Tab Hunter-
Advice for those who depend on the job
Having a work addiction has health consequences. This is why the company implements a series of measures to be able to detect when a worker spends too much time in the workplace doing extra hours that are not due to him.
Assistance and psychotherapy
The first piece of advice for those dependent on work is to seek assistance and start psychotherapeutic treatment. As stated in the article Adicción al trabajo (workaholism). Psychosocial pathology of the XXI term (or Workaholism addiction. Psychosocial pathology of the XNUMXst century), it is positive to bet on a cognitive-behavioral therapy that stimulates changes in the subject's daily life. Likewise, it is important for the person to perform the following actions:
- Attend workshops where he can work on his emotional skills.
- Learn stress management techniques derived from work.
- Join support groups with colleagues who are in the same situation.
- Understand the reason so he seeks refuge in work.
Family therapies
It is necessary for the family to commit to and attend therapy together with the dependent person, so that it can evolve and improve. In fact, addiction generates unhealthy dynamics within the family unit, where discussions are frequent.
Misunderstandings in the context in which he lives they can lead the individual to seek even more refuge in his work, in order to escape from the problems he cannot manage at home. For this, family therapies are indispensable.
One of the bravest lessons the work addict has to learn is to say "no".
The role of companies to combat work addiction
Although the employee has to do personal work through psychotherapy and family therapies, companies must also implement a protocol of action when they identify that a worker is working more hours than those stipulated contract and is overriding his duties.
Strategies for limiting excess work include reassigning roles, making hours flexible, imposing mandatory breaks and promoting teamwork. So those who work more are not rewarded.
Do you think you have a work addiction? Don't have time for your family and friends? If the answer to these two questions is "yes", we recommend that you seek help. There are various ways to regain balance when dependent on work.
Maybe your job has turned into a refuge because you are afraid of running out of money or maybe it is a way to escape from arguments and problems at home. Whatever the case, there is a solution. All dependencies are negative and in order to eliminate them, the underlying problem must be resolved.
