Workaholic Treatment Programs
Workaholic symptoms work against a person and are good indicators that he or she needs work addiction treatment. Help for work addicts is available in a number of ways, including behavioral therapy and hotlines. Preventing workaholism from taking over your life can help repair relationships, build new relationships, and feel less stress in day-to-day life.
Workaholism is often seen as a positive attribute in society, even though it can be damaging to a person and the people that surround him or her. Workaholics may be seen as those who “climb the corporate ladder” and might look like “someone doing what they love.” However, workaholism can cause damage to a person’s home life and family. It can cause a person to miss important events or may take over the family vacation with meetings and computer work.
A workaholic may become obsessed with achieving due to financial demands, especially if excessive spending is an issue. This means the person has to complete overtime to cover expenses incurred while going on shopping binges or when a person buys products that cost more than his or her means. Alcoholism and marital conflicts can spur workaholism, as well as organizational issues. It is sometimes referred to as a version of obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD.
Symptoms of Work Addiction
A workaholic may have a number of symptoms. Workaholics are not team players. They have a need to control every situation, which makes it difficult for them to communicate with others when a problem needs to be solved. In a workaholic’s mind, his or her way is the only way, even if other options seem viable. Workaholics may show symptoms of irritability, resentment, stress, and impatience. The stress a workaholic suffers is generally caused by demands the workaholic places on him or herself.
Professional help for workaholics comes in the form of behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may address where the feelings of needing to work excessively come from, which could have begun as early as childhood. Therapy will also address possible signs of depression, substance abuse, or alcoholism. Sometimes, workaholism stems from a poor childhood or dysfunctional surroundings. Changing the location a person is working from or removing him or her from a stressful environment may be one way to battle workaholism.
Activities for Work Addicts
Outpatient Options for Addiction Services
Outpatient options can be vital to a person’s ability to work with addiction services to become sober. Outpatient services allow patients to continue working, interacting, and living their lives while they receive treatment. Some forms of outpatient treatment include behavioral therapy and some forms of medically-monitored detoxification.
If the family of a workaholic is involved with therapy, the therapist will likely provide ideas of activities that all members of the family can enjoy. These activities will have nothing to do with work, and will be maintained in order to heal relationships. If you would like a list of possible activities, speak with a therapist or medical provider.
Workaholics may be presented with new boundaries, such as leaving their cellphones in another room during dinner or at night. They may not be allowed to take a work laptop on vacation, because they could be tempted to start working again. Many workaholics may need to resist the ability to check e-mails frequently, and may need tech-free days in order to relax from the stress of overworking.
People who are interested in finding inpatient or outpatient services for workaholism should consider calling 800-660-0986 or fill out a quick contact form. This will help get them the help they need. Workaholism is treated like many other addiction problems, and may include therapy and medications in some cases. A therapist can walk you or another person with this issue through the steps needed to heal and move on with life. Some workaholism stems from other problems, such as alcoholism, and can be addressed by a therapist in sessions.
Further help for other issues can also be found by calling 800-660-0986. Workaholic symptoms working against a person can cause your friend or family member to appear happy in a job or as a reliable and determined person, when in reality he or she is unable to stop working and relax. Providing assistance through medical programs is the first step to recovering.