Work & Money Issues

Careers and cash can’t fill the void

Addiction Treatment Work Addiction And Money Issues

What Is Work Addiction?

It’s no secret that work is an essential component in everyone’s life. But there’s a significant difference in prioritizing your career and struggling with work addiction. For many, the pursuit of money can go hand in hand with overworking. But whether it’s achieving for the sake of achieving or working to seek financial gain, pursuing professional success at the cost of your health and relationships is a problem that needs to be addressed.

With work addiction, someone is unable to set healthy boundaries. Instead of a balanced life with family, friends, and hobbies, everything centers around work in a way that’s not only unhealthy for the individual but the people they care about most. People addicted to work use it as their source of satisfaction in life, something it was never meant to be.

Negative Effects of Work Addiction

Expecting work to fill a deep void in someone’s life or using it to escape emotional stress is a flawed from which to derive self-worth from. Those addicted to their work are constantly trying to perform, achieve, climb the ladder, or get that last project done — often well after business hours. They need to feel a sense of importance and accomplishment — a different kind of “high” essentially — that only work or money can provide, which is often based on inaccurate self-perceptions.

In America’s achievement culture, where hard work and “going the extra mile” are regularly praised, work addiction may be hard to spot. It’s easy to justify this behavior in the pursuit of the next big promotion, praise from the boss, having more to save for retirement. But whenever work takes an unbalanced precedence in your life for the long-term (not just for a one-off project or deadline), it’s possible that behavior has progressed into unhealthy territory.

Work addicts need to feel a sense of importance and accomplishment — a different kind of “high” essentially — that only work or money can provide, which is often based on inaccurate self-perceptions.

Listen to Meadows Clinical Director Speak on Hustle Culture

Hustle culture is deeply embedded in our society and is even romanticized as a necessary part of achieving the American dream. However, what happens when we overindulge in the hustle? What are the adverse effects? Today we speak with The Meadows Clinical Director Breanna Mylius about the impact of hustle culture here in the United States and beyond.

Listen to Podcast

Work Addiction by the Numbers

In a comprehensive literature review, Evaluation and the Health Professions, the authors estimate the prevalence of work addiction among Americans at 10%. Some estimates are as high as 15 to 25%.
Up to 83% of US workers suffer from work-related stress.
The psychological and physical problems of burned-out employees cost an estimated $125 billion to $190 billion a year in healthcare spending in the US.

Symptoms of Work Addiction/Money Issues

Losing sleep with constant thoughts of work-related projects and your to-do list beyond what’s reasonable
Intense fear of failure at work
Being paranoid or consistently worried about your performance at work
Canceling time with friends, family, or important life milestones because of work
Having a judgmental or defensive attitude toward others about work or even their work
Obsessing over work-related or financial success or failure

Pursuing financial gain through work despite negative consequences
Working incessantly to deal with feelings of guilt or depression or to “get over” a divorce, loss of someone you care about
Never feeling like any amount of money is enough
Getting sick more often
Being preoccupied with money, particularly how to procure more
Putting relationships in jeopardy for additional financial gain

Work & Money Issues Treatment at The Meadows

If you or someone you love is struggling with work addiction or money issues, we’re here for you. Instead of a quick fix, our compassionate team of experts at The Meadows is waiting to help you begin your journey toward long-term recovery that focuses on the whole person by addressing any underlying mental health conditions or trauma that may be perpetuating work addiction.

Admissions

Our Admissions team is here to help 24 hours a day and is experienced in assisting others with compassion, dignity, and respect — hallmark values of The Meadows for more than 45 years. The Meadows’ Admissions Specialists are here to help you on your way to a healthier and more productive lifestyle. When you call, they will lead you through a series of questions to determine if The Meadows is a good fit, and how soon your treatment can begin. If you are interested in The Meadows for yourself or a loved one, call or fill out an admissions form today!