When the mainstream culture in the U.S. values productivity above all else, it’s easy to overlook the cost of working too much. Warning signs of workaholism are met with admiration instead of concern. Companies are more likely to be pleased with your long hours and sacrifices rather than worried about your well-being.

Workaholism isn’t a sign of dedication. It’s a behavioral addiction that can damage mental and physical health, strain relationships, and rob you of joy. Below we explore how society normalizes this issue, its health impacts, and how we can make changes to live fuller, more balanced lives.

What is Workaholism?

Also referred to as work addiction, workaholism is characterized as an excessive amount of time spent working or preoccupied with work at the expense of other areas of your life. This often leads to negative impacts on your mental and physical health, relationships, or job performance.

How Society Normalizes Workaholism

Work addiction thrives in a culture that glorifies overworking. In the U.S., success is often portrayed as working long hours and late nights, making personal sacrifices, and limited boundaries between work and home. You can get on most social media platforms and run across hustle culture content that implies that rest is laziness, and productivity is the ultimate virtue. This might look like,

“Rise and grind.”
“No pain, no gain.”
"I’ll sleep when I’m dead."
"No days off."
"Work now, play later."
“Success doesn’t sleep.”
"Good things come to those who hustle."

In many workplaces, these attitudes are reinforced. It's expected that employees will work long hours, respond to emails off the clock, and always be available if something comes up. Employees who work late are seen as committed or ambitious, while those who set firm boundaries are sometimes viewed as unmotivated or inflexible.

These issues can be exacerbated for remote workers. Without clear distinctions between the office and home, work can easily spill into personal time. The expectation to stay connected—answering Slack messages at dinner or hopping on "quick" calls outside work hours—creates an environment where stepping away feels like falling behind.

These norms often mask the real consequences of overworking. Sleep deprivation, burnout, and strained relationships are reframed as the cost of ambition. The narrative shifts from concern to praise. Exhaustion is a badge of honor. Sacrificing well-being is seen as proof of dedication.

This normalization doesn’t only impact individuals—it sets a precedent for the whole workplace. When overworking is treated as a virtue rather than a warning sign, it perpetuates cycles of unhealthy behavior. It also hides the need for systemic change in how we approach work-life balance.

The Impact of Workaholism

Workaholism can take a significant toll on your overall health, leading to:

• Chronic stress; burnout
• Irritability
• Fatigue or exhaustion
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Feelings of guilt, shame, hopelessness, or fear
• Low self-worth
• Decreased productivity at work
• Sleep issues
• Weight changes
• Hypertension
• Muscle aches and tension
• Relationship strain

These effects compound over time, creating a harmful cycle where people work harder to escape the distress caused by overworking—a trap that’s difficult to break without intervention and support.

A Lack of Connection

In a recent post, we explored the link between addiction and connection, and the belief that at the heart of addiction is a lack of connection. This idea reframes workaholism not as a problem of discipline or something that can be fixed by working fewer hours, but as a symptom of disconnection—from oneself, loved ones, or a deeper sense of purpose.

For many, work becomes a way to cope. It may be a way to avoid difficult emotions, low self-esteem, stress, relationship issues, or other life challenges. The structured demands of a job can feel safer than navigating messy relationships or confronting feelings of inadequacy. However, this disconnection only feeds the cycle, as relationships and self-care are neglected in favor of more work.

To truly address workaholism, we have to understand the underlying emotional needs and the disconnection.

Warning Signs

Workaholism can show up differently depending on the individual and their specific job, but common red flags include:

• Constantly thinking about work, even during downtime
• Feeling guilty or restless when not working
• Neglecting hobbies, relationships, or health to prioritize work
• Using work as a way to avoid personal challenges or emotions
• The need to stay busy
• Perfectionism

Some signs vary by profession:

• Corporate Professionals: Staying late, skipping vacations, and overchecking emails
• Freelancers and Entrepreneurs: Struggling to set boundaries or feeling the pressure to “always be on”
• Caregivers and Healthcare Workers: Overextending themselves due to guilt or responsibility

Recognizing these behaviors is the first step toward awareness that leads to getting needed help and support.

When discussing warning signs, it’s important to note that not everyone working long hours is facing a work addiction. In a capitalistic society, many people are forced to work excessively to make ends meet. The distinction lies in whether the drive to overwork stems from external pressures, like financial necessity, or internal compulsion, like using work as a way to avoid emotions or find self-worth. Addressing systemic issues (low wages, lack of benefits, weak labor protections, etc.) is just as vital as addressing individual behaviors when it comes to tackling work-related stress and burnout.

Treatment for Workaholism

Addressing workaholism requires more than cutting back on hours—it’s about addressing the emotional and systemic factors driving the behavior while fostering meaningful connections. Common therapeutic approaches like cognitive therapies, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based interventions are used to treat this addiction. A holistic treatment plan that you co-create with your therapist might also include the following steps:

1. Rebuilding Connection

• Connection to Self: Workaholism involves disconnecting from personal needs, emotions, and values. Practices like mindfulness, journaling, or therapy cn help you reconnect with yourself and identify what matters most to you in life beyond work.
• Connection to Others: Strengthening relationships with family, friends, and supportive communities can provide a sense of belonging and purpose that wrk alone cannot offer. Group therapy or support groups, such as Workaholics Anonymous, create spaces to share experiences and build accountability.

2. Growing Self-Awareness

• Reflect on how your work habits impact your well-being. Journaling or speaking with a trusted friend or therapist can help you uncover emotional tiggers that drive overworking.

• Addressing these underlying issues helps reduce reliance on work as a coping method.

3. Developing Healthier Coping Strategies

• Replace overworking with activities that bring you joy or help you relax, and schedule intentional time for them. This could include hobbies, exercise, o creative pursuits (crafting, singing, listening to or playing music).
• Learn to say “no” and set clear limits on work hours. Creating rituals to separate work from personal life—like shutting down your computer at a secific time or writing down your ending thoughts for the day before you leave work—can help.

4. Addressing Systemic Barriers

• While individual work is important, therapy should also validate the external pressures you face, such as financial stress or workplace expectations. Avocating for systemic change—such as fair labor practices or work-life balance policies—can be empowering, healing, and community-building for you.

Reclaiming Your Life

Treatment for workaholism isn’t simply about working less. By reconnecting with yourself and others, developing healthier habits, and addressing both emotional and systemic drivers, you can create a life that feels balanced, meaningful, and fulfilling. Work can be a part of your life, but it doesn’t have to define it.

Support for Work Addiction | Dr. David Zacharias

If you or a loved one are struggling with work addiction, Existential Psychiatry is here to help. Dr. David Zacharias offers a holistic approach to addiction treatment, recognizing and honoring the fundamental human need for connection. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Zacharias has provided compassionate, patient-centered care to individuals from diverse backgrounds. He’ll meet you where you are and collaborate with you throughout treatment. If you’re ready to get started, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

Written by Existential Psychiatry Staff

Sources

• Clark, M. A., et al. “All Work and No Play? A Meta-Analytic Examination of the Correlates and Outcomes of Workaholism.” Journal of Management, 2016. Accessed November 26, 2024.
• Sussman, S. “Workaholism: A Review.” Journal Addiction Research & Therapy, 2012. Accessed November 25, 2024.