CHECK Magazin - Gesundheitsmagazin für Männer No.15

CHECK MAG #15
FIGHTING
THE VICIOUS
CIRCLE
HOW COMPANIES CAN PROTECT
THEIR EMPLOYEES FROM THE
DANGERS OF ADDICTION.
Addiction prevention in the workplace is a
topic that is becoming increasingly important
in today’s world. Substance addictions
such as alcohol, drugs, nicotine or medication
addiction can not only impair the health
of those affected, but also have an impact
on work performance and the working
atmosphere. But behavioural addictions
such as workaholism and excessive use of
digital media should also be considered. It is
important to raise awareness and sensitise
people to the issue.
What are the most common
addictions in the workplace?
Alcohol addiction and nicotine addiction
are considered the most common substance-based
addictions in the workplace.
For example, 80% of workers drink alcohol,
with around 10% of them even during
working hours. 1 22% of employees smoke,
about half of them also at work.
Behavioural addictions that are highly
relevant in the workplace context also
include excessive consumption of digital
media: 38% of adults who frequently surf
the net also suffer from anxiety. As many as
40% suffer from depressive symptoms, such
as mood swings. Concentration problems
(30%), exhaustion (36 %) and fatigue (34 %)
were named as further stress factors. 2
In the case of addiction to digital media
consumption, the fear of missing out (FOMO)
often plays an important role, which can lead
to an excessive urge to constantly want to
stay up to date. Another problem is addiction
to work (workaholism), which manifests
through compulsive working, perfectionism
and working on days off.
At what point is consumer behaviour
considered an addiction?
The World Health Organisation (WHO)
describes addiction as the no longer
controllable desire for a certain state of
feeling, experience and consciousness. Some
criteria are used to diagnose addiction,
i.e. whether it is repeated or continued
consumption despite knowledge of the
harmful consequences, tolerance formation,
withdrawal symptoms, and limiting dayto-day
activities.
What are the most common causes of
addiction in the workplace?
Many factors can be the cause for the
development of an addiction in the workplace
as well as in private life, such as excessive
or insufficient demands, team conflicts,
lack of recognition and appreciation, bullying
and social isolation while in home office.
But issues such as relationship problems,
parenting, caring for relatives, lack of
separation between private life and work,
and financial worries can also contribute to
an addiction.
What are the effects of addictive
behaviour in the workplace?
In addition to the numerous health damages
associated with addiction problems, the consequences
can also be manifold in the workplace
context. Increased days of absence
due to e.g. health restrictions, increased
conflicts in the team, reduced concentration
1 DAK-Gesundheitsreport, 2019.
2 Studie zur Digitalkompetenz, Techniker Krankenkasse
2021.
Addiction prevention34