Anyone ever experienced being a true workaholic?

[Anonymous]

I got this going on right now. I’m actually recovering addict from two other (legit) addictions. I found a new addiction that doesn’t leave feeling ashamed, broke or embarrassed: work.

For the last three years I’ve found myself completely obsessed over a side business I have been building up that I want to make my full time gig. I also have debt to pay off (which came from a different addiction that I am in recovery from). This is about proving something to myself.

I am also a very creative and entrepreneurial guy. But most of my past ideas were “half baked” This time I want to see it all the way through. No quitting or losing interest. This is my own idea. My own business. I’m not working my ass off just to help someone else get rich. It’s mine.

But I have completely isolated myself over this obsession. Had very limited interactions with my friends and family.

I also have zero time to date. I don’t even try anymore. I figure women will find me too intense or worse “boring”. Most women only see the results of what men get from hard work and sacrifice. Especially if they are young and/or attractive.

So I’ve found that my workaholism has been an effective distraction from my loneliness. Whenever I get depressed I find that working more on my side gig does make feel (at least semi) better. Not a cure. But it’s better than what I used to do when I was bored (legit addictions)

But still I don’t know how to stop on this. I’m obsessed.

Updates

5 mo

I don’t think you all get it. I am literally addicted to what I’m doing right now. Not exaggerating. Never felt like this before.

[WindAtMyBack]

Working long hours is not necessarily an addiction. Here are two scenarios.

I had one job that I really loved what I was doing. We usually only worked eight hour days because it was physically demanding work. But we worked 6-7 days a week. During the occasional week when I had all of Sunday off, I couldn't wait for Monday so I could go back to work. I don't consider that being a workaholic because I loved what I was doing, not because it was an addition.

On another job, I worked very long hours, like 105-110 hours a week because of the overtime pay. I liked the big checks and was addicted to the money. I kept doing it even when I knew I was getting burned out and knew I couldn't keep it up. It had a negative affect on me, but I kept doing it anyway. To me, that's an addiction because it was controlling me instead of me controlling it.

[Asker]

Good answer.

[Phoenix98]

During last harvest I worked from 8am to about 10-11pm Monday through Sunday. Not the work I was addicted to it was that paycheck harvest is our money maker season. All the overtime you could want my checks would easily be almost a grand with all the overtime I was pulling week after week.

[Sirenboobzilla]

This was me my first year in this company. I was hired as a dispatcher for a shipping company and I really wanted to stand out. I was also still studying. My work/life balance was shit at the time, and the little bits of off time I had I would try to do more than what I normally could. Eventually I did learn to manage a good balance between it all and stopped stressing myself out over work.

[Nikki1989]

I kind of have the addiction. I sometimes complain about working, but when I have time off, I can't wait to go back to work again. I can only tolerate time off if I am doing several things at the same time to fill the void.

[Zack-Bann]

Work takes up entirely too much of my day


I think I am in fact a workaholic


During the weekend I actually go through a bit of withdrawal when I don’t have any productive tasks to complete

[queenofcardio]

I've never experienced it to that extent.

Sounds very unhealthy. You don't make to time to relax or distress?

[Asker]

Most women don’t compared to men. Because men generally have an instinctive drive to “be somebody”. That is we know we aren’t special just for existing nor can we count on someone to come save us if we underachieve.

I know that might come off as negative. But I went through an extreme financial hardship about 4 years ago. I know nobody would really respect me if I went looking for a bail out. I have worked very hard for every penny since.

[DryGermanGuy]

Yeah, for a number of years until my burnout. So, as a warning, without a proper work/life balance, sooner or later, it will end badly. I speak from experience.

[douride2]

If working long hours as in 140 to 160 hrs every 2 weeks is a workaholic? Then yes I was one at one point in my life.

[exitseven]

No, I have always worked hard but I think 40 hours a week is more than enough. Life is short and even thought I liked my job I would rather spend time with my wife and kids.

[jamesgoldman]

I work 70-100 hours a week running my own business so yes

[LiamJHayden]

When I first started my business I worked 100 hours per week, sometimes more.

[Imjustagirl1520]

No but it seems nice, making money and not having to deal with anything but work

[Bklynbadboy12]

Im definitely a workaholic I never miss any days but I think thats because I like what I do

[FunkyMonkee]

What's workahol?

[ohsheeT]

Everyday