In an ever-increasing, work martyr culture, workaholism has become an epidemic. Academy Award-winning director Ed Zwick tackles this phenomenon in his moving, perceptive memoir. His personal experiences are often punctuated by his repeated use of the term “workaholism” to best illustrate his stories. His story is symbolic of the fight many people face each day working two or three jobs just to make ends meet. This frequently does so at the peril of their professional lives and well-being.
Like so many Americans, the pandemic forced Jen and her coworkers to go above and beyond. She held up under a punishing schedule, working seven days a week for two years in a row. She now reserved her every week to shade and spent her weekends internet hosting a dwell breakfast radio present. She was able to reach an astounding apex of devotion to her craft by visiting remote, mountain-nested Norway. There, she filmed Beyond the Border—a short documentary for The Guardian—while almost five months pregnant.
Mark Griffiths, world-renowned expert in the research of work addiction, is clear about the severity of this problem. He notes that while work addiction is real, it remains poorly understood compared to more recognized disorders like gambling and gaming addiction. It’s estimated that about 10% of Americans are impacted by work addiction —also known as hyper-work, overwork or workaholism— but still the condition receives little acknowledgment.
Here, workaholism consultant, Sarah, who asked to use a pseudonym, shares her experiences and advice to help others stop overworking themselves. Her job requires meticulous time tracking for billing clients in six-minute increments, leading her to prioritize work over personal time. She finds it important to plan events that allow her to disconnect from her cell phone. This need is magnified for her around family vacations and holidays.
The World Health Organization (WHO) classified gambling and gaming disorders as disorders due to addictive behaviors. It fails to recognize work addiction as an official diagnosis. This lack of recognition makes us wonder how serious we are about addressing workaholism and its pervasive harms in people’s lives.
“Workaholism involves both a substance addiction (adrenaline and other stress hormones) and a process addiction (compulsive doing or not doing) and is not limited to our paid work life.” – Workaholics Anonymous
Jen’s battle with workaholism took her to what proved to be a final dark place, defined by periodic intensive binges with detrimental drugs and alcohol. Although she was isolating in her addiction and by the time she got help, entering rehab in December 2021, her boss had started to notice her erratic behavior. During her three-month stay, she had to completely disengage from her job, highlighting the extent to which work had consumed her life.
The roots of workaholism are not just systemic, they’re personal – often deeply entrenched in our personal beliefs and upbringing. So Jen’s mom instilled the idea that success looks like getting straight A’s. This belief drove Jen to succeed at any cost. This misconception encourages people like Jen to reassess and prioritize their work life over their personal lives. When provided to child and youth populations, it can deeply impact their mental health.
Mark Griffiths argues that while healthy enthusiasm for work can enhance one’s life, an addiction to work can have devastating consequences. He explains that genuine work addicts will drop personal relationships, hobbies, and social lives for the sake of their careers.
“For me, a work addict is somebody for whom work has completely taken over their life.” – Mark Griffiths
In a revealing statement, Sarah reflects on her experience with work addiction, admitting, “I don’t even recognize the behavior, let alone the word, until my relationship broke down.” Her story is the story of far too many Americans who fall into this dangerous cycle.
Ironically, workaholism is often stigmatized as something for which to seek help or acknowledgement, which stops individuals from identifying and addressing their struggles. Workaholics Anonymous (WA) offers a 12-step approach and other helpful information for people who want to change their workaholic lifestyle. We love their website Am I a Workaholic, which has twenty questions that can help you examine your work habit patterns.
“Do you immerse yourself in activities to change how you feel or avoid grief, anxiety, and shame?” – Workaholics Anonymous
These types of questions prompt people to reflect on their actions as it pertains to work. Further, the organization emphasizes it isn’t enough to focus on work output alone. It’s the deep emotional and spiritual ties you build toward that work.
As we as a society just begin to reckon with the responsibility of creating a healthier work culture, workaholism is an obstacle that needs our urgent attention. The dialogue about this issue is increasing, but many people still don’t know the scope of the problem and the risks it poses.