Addicted to Work? The Psychology Behind Work Addiction, Episode 18 Part 1

In this first part of a two-part conversation, I sit down with Alina Meyer-Riad to explore what work addiction actually is and why it is often misunderstood.

We talk about the difference between working hard and losing control, the role of validation and productivity in shaping identity, and why work addiction can be harder to spot than other behavioural patterns because it is so often rewarded.

This episode may speak to working professionals, high achievers, and anyone who feels their self-worth has become too closely tied to output.

Key themes include:

• what addiction is and how Alina defines it

• why work addiction is not simply long hours

• how dopamine and reward can reinforce overworking

• why work addiction is often normalised in hustle culture

• some of the early warning signs that work is taking over too much space

Part 2 continues the conversation and looks more deeply at where these patterns come from, along with recovery, resilience, and healthier boundaries.

Disclaimer

This podcast is grounded in lived experience and educational conversation. It is not therapy, crisis support, or individual professional advice.

Connect with Alina Meyer-Riad

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/amrresilienzstaerken/

Website:https://www.amr-resilienz-staerken.de/

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If this episode helped you, please like, subscribe, and leave a comment, it helps more peoplefind this burnout-safe space.

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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗙𝘂𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗵𝗮𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Burnout isn’t only about work. In fact, many people struggling with emotional exhaustion are also carrying stressors outside the workplace that keep burnout going, even when their job “isn’t that bad.”

In 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝟭𝟳 of the Share Inspire and Explore Podcast, Chris Wilson explores the external stressors and personal predispositions that fuel burnout and shares practical burnout recovery tools to help you stabilise, protect your energy, and support long-term workplace wellbeing.

We cover:

• Perfectionism, people-pleasing, fear of failure, and negative self-talk

• Financial stress, role overload, and caregiving burnout

• Relationship stress and toxic dynamics outside work

• Sleep deprivation, loneliness, life transitions, and chronic illness stress

• Tech overload, doomscrolling, and global stress fatigue

• Small, realistic steps to support healing after burnout

This episode is especially for burnout for professionals, high performers, and anyone recovering from burnout who feels stretched in every area of life.

⚠️ 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿: Informational only. Not medical, psychological, legal, or financial advice. If you need support, please consult a qualified professional.

☕ 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: https://ko-fi.com/whereimatcommunity

🔗 Where I’m At Community: A confidential peer space for burnout recovery and purpose recalibration

👉 https://www.whereimatcommunity.com/community

⭐ Enjoying the podcast? Please follow, rate, and review — it helps others find support when they need it most.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭: 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐲, 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐬?⁣

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If burnout has left you exhausted, overwhelmed, or questioning yourself, knowing when to seek help, and what kind of help, can feel confusing.⁣

In this episode of the Share Inspire and Explore Podcast, we explore burnout recovery support options, including therapy, coaching, and support groups, and how to decide which is right for you.⁣

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You’ll learn:⁣

• How to recognise when burnout requires professional support⁣

• The difference between therapy, coaching, and peer support⁣

• Why burnout recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all⁣

• How the right support can help you heal after burnout and regain clarity⁣

• Common barriers that stop people from asking for help⁣

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This episode is especially for burned-out professionals, high performers, and those recovering from toxic workplaces or emotional exhaustion who want clarity, reassurance, and a path forward.⁣

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“There’s also a poll on Spotify for this episode, I’d love you to answer honestly. It helps me understand where you’re at, and it reminds you that you’re not alone in this.”⁣

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⚠️ 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐫:⁣

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not replace medical, psychological, or therapeutic care. If you’re struggling, please seek help from a qualified professional.⁣

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💬 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧⁣

What kind of support have you been avoiding, and why?⁣

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🔗 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫⁣

Website: https://claudia-bayer.at/⁣

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🔗 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐈’𝐦 𝐀𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲: A confidential peer space for burnout recovery and purpose recalibration⁣

👉 https://www.whereimatcommunity.com/community⁣

⁣

⭐ 𝐄𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭? ⁣

Please follow, rate, and review, it helps others find support when they need it most.

#burnoutrecovery #burnoutsupport #burnout #mentalhealthatwork #workplacewellbeing #therapyvscoaching