Do you check emails at midnight? Feel guilty when you’re not working? Struggle to remember the last time you truly relaxed? You might be dealing with workaholism—and it’s more serious than you think.

We live in a culture that worships the “grind.” We treat our careers not just as livelihoods, but as the sum total of our identities. But what if this drive to be “special” through work is actually the root of your unhappiness?

Social scientist and columnist Arthur Brooks argues that many high achievers are suffering from a specific kind of addiction—not to substances, but to their own success. We fall into a trap of “professional self-objectification,” where we cease to be human beings and become efficiency machines. Breaking free requires a radical shift in perspective, one that moves away from checking boxes and toward a deeper, quieter sense of self.

This article explores five counter-intuitive strategies on how to overcome workaholism and reclaim your life.

Recognize Workaholism as Self-Medication, Not Ambition

It is easy to wear workaholism as a badge of honor. We tell ourselves we are driven, ambitious, and productive. However, Brooks suggests that for many, excessive work functions exactly like substance abuse: it is a method of self-medication.

Research indicates a strong link between workaholism and anxiety or depression. Rather than facing the “black dog” of depression or the gnawing feeling of inadequacy, we drown it out with emails and deadlines. The dopamine hit of a completed task or a compliment from a boss provides temporary relief from emotional pain, creating a cycle of dependency.

“Workaholism functions similarly to substance abuse—it is a way to numb the pain of loneliness or dissatisfaction.” — Arthur Brooks

Stop Treating Yourself Like a Productivity Machine

Karl Marx argued that capitalism alienates workers by turning them into cogs in a machine. But Brooks argues that high achievers often do this to themselves voluntarily. He calls this “professional self-objectification.”

We ruthlessly efficiency-hack our lives, viewing our time only in terms of output and utility. We become Homo economicus, viewing ourselves not as humans to be loved, but as assets to be optimized. When you view yourself as a tool, you inevitably fear the day you become “useless”—a fear that drives the terrifying midlife crisis when fluid intelligence naturally begins to decline.

Let Go of Your Professional Image (Before It Traps You)

We tend to think of Narcissus as a man who loved himself too much. But as Marshall McLuhan observed (and Brooks notes), the tragedy of Narcissus was that he fell in love with the image of himself, not his true self. He didn’t recognize that the reflection was him; he became a slave to it.

This is the trap of the modern professional. We fall in love with the curated image of our success—the LinkedIn profile, the bio, the reputation. We serve the image rather than our actual well-being. We become “prisoners” of the specialness we have cultivated, terrified to make a move that might shatter the reflection in the water.

“Care about people’s approval and you will be their prisoner.” — Lao Tzu

Use the Subtraction Method Instead of Addition to Find Fulfillment

Most of us approach life with an “addition mindset.” We view our lives as a blank canvas that we must fill with more paint—more money, more friends, more skills, more experiences. We think that once the canvas is full, we will be satisfied.

Brooks argues this is a fallacy. Satisfaction is fleeting; as soon as we get what we want, we want more. The true path to satisfaction is a “subtraction mindset.” Instead of a canvas, view your life as a block of marble. Your true self—and your happiness—is already inside. Your job is to chip away the parts that aren’t you: the social comparison, the need for admiration, the attachment to material wealth.

Schedule “Useless” Time to Combat Work Addiction

To break the cycle of self-objectification, you must deliberately engage in activities that have no economic value but high intrinsic worth. The ancient philosopher Seneca warned against being “busy men” who waste life in a futuristic anxiety, always depending on the morrow and losing the present.

Brooks recommends “scheduling the useless.” Block out time for things that cannot be put on a résumé: a walk in the woods without a podcast, prayer or meditation, or simply sitting with a loved one. These moments remind you that your existence has value independent of your productivity.

“The true value of what I do is not how much it costs me, but how much it benefits you.” — Seneca

Moving Forward: Your Workaholism Recovery Starts Now

The transition from striving to be “special” to being content with being ordinary is not a demotion; it is a liberation. Overcoming workaholism requires the courage to admit that Mother Nature’s directive—to survive and accumulate—is often at odds with your happiness. By detaching from the “scorecard” of life and embracing a mindset of subtraction, you can step off the hedonic treadmill.

A final question to ponder: If you lost your job title, your wealth, and your professional reputation tomorrow, who would you be? If you don’t know the answer, it’s time to start the detox.

In a world that worships the grind, are you brave enough to choose ordinary happiness over extraordinary exhaustion?