Having an Honest Discussion With Family Members About a Work Addiction

woman struggling with food addiction

From the outside, a work addiction can be difficult to understand.

What could be harmful about hard work and dedication to a career, especially when efforts are paying off and success is being achieved as a result of one’s work ethic.

In a society were success and achievement in the workplace is celebrated and rewarded, understanding a work addiction and confronting any related issues may be challenging.

However, when work begins influencing one’s ability to carry out their normal duties or taking priority over relationships and responsibilities, it is important to take a hard look at what other issues may be involved with job and career.

If a person is looking to their job to find emotional fulfillment or validation as a person, a job may be serving more than just a career.

Similarly, if work is used as an escape from difficult circumstances or overwhelming emotions, this can develop into negative behaviors as well.

No matter the success that may be achieved in the workplace, if a person’s life and well-being is falling apart, this success has little value.

Discuss Work Addiction

If you have been dealing with an addiction to work, you may find yourself in denial about the issues at hand.

Typically those who are closest to you may be able to pick up on a problem or recognize that something is not right, especially if relationships with your loved ones and family are beginning to suffer.

Addressing a potential work addiction with your loved ones can be a difficult thing to do, but this can be a therapeutic step towards finding healing and recovery.

While you may find it challenging to express what you are dealing with or to be honest with your loved ones about your struggles, rallying the support of your family is fundamental to your recovery journey and long term success.

If you feel unsure about how to address a work addiction with your family, consider working and collaborating with a family therapist.

Having a professional who can intervene and guide you through this process can help in terms of getting everyone on the same page and creating a level of understanding among family members.


Crystal Karges photo

About the Author: Crystal is a Masters-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a specialty focus in eating disorders, maternal/child health and wellness, and intuitive eating. Combining clinical experience with a love of social media and writing, Crystal serves as the Special Projects Coordinator for Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope, where her passion to help others find recovery and healing is integrated into each part of her work.

As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Crystal has dedicated her career to helping others establish a healthy relationship with food and body through her work with EDH/AH and nutrition private practice.


The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of addictions. These are not necessarily the views of Addiction Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.

We at Addiction Hope understand that addictions result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an addiction, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.

Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on January 28, 2016
Published on AddictionHope.com

About Baxter Ekern

Baxter Ekern is the Vice President of Ekern Enterprises, Inc. He contributed and helped write a major portion of Addiction Hope and is responsible for the operations of the website.