Work Addiction and Stimulant Use: Latent Profile Analysis in a Representative Population Study

Individuals with work addiction (WA) are characterized by low self-esteem, high obsessiveness, and impulsiveness; they are overloaded with tasks and show sleep problems. These characteristics suggest that workaholics might be prone to use psychostimulant substances; however, this relationship has never been investigated. The present study aimed to explore the prevalence of psychostimulant use among individuals with WA in a representative sample (N = 3076). Lifetime, last year, and last month prevalence of licit and illicit stimulant use were explored. Bergen Work Addiction Scale and the 18-item version of the Brief Symptom Inventory were applied for assessing WA and psychopathological symptoms. Addictive workers showed significantly higher prevalence of smoking, energy drink consumption, amphetamine, NPS, and cocaine use than non-addictive workers. Moreover, they also reported more psychopathological symptoms. Since addictive workers have a higher vulnerability to potentially risky stimulant use, workplace mental health programs should address screening and prevention of WA.