Difference Between Alcoholic and Workaholic (With Table)

The fundamental distinction between an alcoholic and a workaholic is that the workaholic is not dependent on alcohol. While alcoholism causes harm to the individual, his or her family, and society, being a workaholic does not necessarily cause damage to anything other than the person’s free time. However, the meanings of both terms may overlap in some cases.

Alcoholic vs Workaholic

The main difference between the phrases alcoholic and workaholic is that an alcoholic is a person who cannot stop consuming substantial amounts of alcohol. On the other hand, a workaholic enjoys working so much that they overdo it.

The term was once used to refer to people addicted to alcohol, but now it is used for anyone with an unhealthy relationship with drinking. Someone may abuse alcohol without being addicted to it and vice versa. Alcohol is a legal substance that anyone over the age of 21 can purchase.

According to a PsycholoGenie post, workaholics are said to have an addiction to work and prioritize their work over everything else. Workaholism is a good thing sometimes, but it can be bad if you do not know when to stop. This article will highlight the negative effects of being a workaholic on your life, health, and relationships.

Comparison Table Between Alcoholic and Workaholic

What is Alcoholic?

Alcoholism, known as alcohol use disorder, is a problem in which a person has a strong urge or physical need to use alcohol even though it negatively affects their lives.

Alcoholism includes a wide range of behaviors, from drinking too much to frequently drinking more than intended over long periods of time.

People who are alcoholics may not drink every day or even every week. They may drink only on weekends or occasionally with friends or family members. But when they do drink, they consume large quantities of alcohol over short periods of time.

Alcoholism may also involve binge or heavy drinking, in which a person consumes large amounts of alcohol in one sitting. Binge drinking leads to intoxication, but it does not necessarily mean the person is an alcoholic.

Signs and symptoms of alcoholism can vary significantly between people. Some people who abuse alcohol may show signs of obvious intoxication when they drink, while others may be able to hide their alcohol use. In addition, some common signs and symptoms of alcoholism include:

Craving: A strong need, or urge, to drink

Loss of control: Not being able to stop drinking once drinking has begun

Physical dependence: Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, and shaking.

What is Workaholic?

When someone says you are a workaholic, they allude to the fact that you spend the bulk of your time working and find it difficult to take time off to do other things. If you are a workaholic, you may neglect your health, family, friends, and other important people.

Here are some of the signs you might be a workaholic:

You always think about work even when you’re not at work. You feel guilty if you’re not working. You feel anxious, depressed, and irritable if you don’t work.

You work when other people are taking breaks or vacations. You hide how much you work from others. You have trouble delegating because no one can do things right but you. You keep telling yourself that once this project is over, you will take it easy and take a break, but once it’s over, something else must be done at once. Your personal relationships suffer because of your job.

You always put your job first and neglect your health and well-being because of it. Your self-esteem is based on your productivity or success at work rather than anything else.

You have difficulty saying no when asked to do something else for or with someone.

Main Differences Between Alcoholic and Workaholic  

1. If a man drinks more than 15 times per week and a woman drinks more than 12 times per week, he is more likely to become an alcoholic. A person who is addicted to work and tries to disengage from it psychologically might become a workaholic.
2. The terms alcoholic and workaholic were coined by Magnus Huss and Wayne Oates, respectively.
3. Detoxification, rehabilitation, and maintenance are the three stages of alcoholism treatment. Workaholics, on the other hand, may be treated using a variety of psychotherapy techniques, including cognitive therapy.
4. The word alcoholic was first coined in 1849, whereas the phrase workaholic was coined in 1971.
5. Abusing others, binge drinking, lying, and worrying are some behavioral changes in alcoholics. Workaholics, on the other side, exhibit rage outbursts, seclusion from social life, and working long hours.

Conclusion

A person who is an alcoholic has an abusive problem with alcohol. Although he or she may be able to function at work, this individual drinks excessively or at inappropriate times. The problems associated with alcoholism are well known, from health issues to legal troubles to the destruction of relationships.

A workaholic, on the other hand, is simply someone whose commitment to his or her career keeps him or her working long hours. There are many benefits to being a workaholic: advancement opportunities, financial security, and personal satisfaction are just a few of them.

Reference

1. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=nqWvpJ3WKSQC&oi=fnd&pg=PA193&dq=Main+Differences+Between+Alcoholic+and+Workaholic%C2%A0%C2%A0&ots=ee0lckV94Z&sig=Uv7XjJvMEr9WiV09yNmQXCeVXuw
2. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=nqWvpJ3WKSQC&oi=fnd&pg=PA193&dq=Main+Differences+Between+Alcoholic+and+Workaholic%C2%A0%C2%A0&ots=ee0lckV94Z&sig=Uv7XjJvMEr9WiV09yNmQXCeVXuw