Does work take up all your time and thoughts, leaving little space for your personal life? You’re not alone. Many expatriates suffer from work addiction, often without even realizing it. In a world that glorifies performance and productivity, expats tend to throw themselves wholeheartedly into work, sometimes completely neglecting their health, and thus experiencing insomnia, chronic pain and burnout. How can you protect your mental well-being while living abroad? Let’s explore how living abroad can fuel workaholism, what the symptoms are, and ways to prevent and treat it.
Several factors explicitly linked to living in a foreign country can increase the risk of developing work addiction:
Working abroad requires constant effort, especially in the early stages. Foreign professionals must adapt to a new culture, communicate and work in a different language, and navigate an unfamiliar professional environment.
Expatriates often feel they must prove their skills and perform well to legitimize their place in a foreign setting.
To cope with loneliness or a lack of social ties, many expats turn to work as a refuge.
In some countries, company culture is built on dedication, performance, and loyalty to one’s job. On top of that, certain international contracts impose heavy demands, such as being available across time zones, irregular hours, or aggressive performance targets.
In Singapore, for example, workplace culture is strongly defined by commitment, efficiency, merit, and respect for hierarchy.
Constant digital connection is another risk factor. Whether working on-site or remotely, expats tend to be always reachable, which blurs the line between professional and personal life, thus undermining mental well-being.
Work addiction, also called “ergomania”, is better known as workaholism. The term was coined by American psychologist Wayne Oates to highlight its pathological nature, combining the terms work with alcoholism.
Less widely recognized than substance or gambling addictions, workaholism is marked by excessive engagement in professional life at the expense of everything else. Like other behavioral addictions, it manifests as an uncontrollable urge to keep working (“craving”), even when it harms health and well-being.
According to the IFAC (Functional Addiction Assessment Institute) at Nantes University Hospital, the signs of workaholism include:
Muscle and joint pain
Insomnia and chronic fatigue
Neglect of personal health and self-care
Perfectionism that drives ever-longer hours
Inability to disconnect from work—evenings, weekends, or holidays—combined with guilt when not working
Ignoring hobbies, friendships, and family life
Left untreated, work addiction can lead to burnout—or, in extreme cases, even death. In Japan, the concept of karoshi refers to death caused by overwork, often from strokes, heart attacks, or suicide linked to extreme professional stress.
The first step in tackling work addiction is recognizing an unhealthy relationship with work. If you suspect you may be a workaholic, or simply feel unwell on a daily basis, consult a general practitioner or occupational doctor. They can assess whether an addiction is present and refer you to a specialist in addiction medicine and/or a psychologist.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is commonly used to treat workaholism. These therapies focus on reshaping behavior, challenging false beliefs and thought patterns, and improving emotional regulation.
In practice, CBT can help patients:
Schedule regular breaks
Set clear limits on working hours
Take time off
Enforce evening and weekend disconnection
Explore interests and activities outside of work
Has anyone ever called you a “workaholic”? While the label may sound flattering in a productivity-driven world, it’s a red flag for your mental health.
Preventing work addiction is essential to protecting your well-being while living abroad. For expats, this means taking up new hobbies and creating social ties outside of work, exploring your host country, enjoying leisure activities, and building friendships. Joining a sports club or community association is another great way to meet people.
For managers and HR teams, raising awareness about the risks of work addiction is equally vital.
Work addiction is an overlooked risk in international mobility, but one that deserves attention. Awareness and prevention are key to safeguarding mental health while living and working abroad.
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Does work take up all your time and thoughts, leaving little space for your personal life? You’re not alone. Many expatriates suffer from work addiction, often without even realizing it.
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