Addiction means a compulsive dependence on certain substances, but also behaviors or activities. Those who are addicted are in dire need of help.

Addictions are widespread. Especially people in challenging situations tend to get addicted. So the tension between family and career can sometimes be the trigger for an addiction.

Reasons for the emergence of an addiction

• Search for relaxation
• Distraction from problems
• Physical or nervous overload
• Possibilities for switching off
• Way to increase performance
• Combat physical or nervous symptoms

Addiction can develop people to quite different things. There are substance-related addictions such as those to alcohol, medicines, cigarettes or cocaine. A distinction is made between legally and illegally available drugs. In addition, there are non-substance addictions. The best known addictions of this kind are gambling addiction, shopping addiction or sex addiction.

Most addictions are now officially recognized. An addict can therefore seek help accordingly. Acute effects of addiction are therefore recognized as reasons for sick leave, medical treatment, hospitalization, and therapy.

In Germany, there are also a wide range of help and counselling services for addicts and their relatives and friends, independent of medical care. Such services are also available especially for employees and employers who are directly or indirectly involved in addiction disorders. These range from information portals on the Internet and professional aid organisations to self-help groups run directly by those affected.

It is always very important to realise that in very rare cases it is only possible to fight an addiction on one's own. Here it is highly recommended to go to a doctor, to seek medical and psychological care and to visit self-help groups, for example.

From the employee's point of view, it is also particularly important to communicate the addiction honestly to the employer and the health insurance company. Only in this case, for example, does protection against dismissal due to long-term illness apply.