Whether you are a "worker bee" for someone else or have taken the leap to be your own boss, there are inevitably days when work impedes on your "real life" outside of the business. There are certain people, and you may be one, that let, and even prefer work to take over their life.

One theory is that people who become workaholics use work to cope with some psychological stress in their personal life. Work can be controlled and help the individual to feel more capable than they do in the outside world.

Most of us have done this on occasion, but the workaholic can't turn it off. Relationships suffer. Home life suffers. And underneath it all - the workaholic suffers, while using work as the escapism the way an alcoholic uses alcohol or a shopaholic shops to feel "better."

A study by Dr. Bryan Robinson's team at University of North Carolina found that marriages containing one or more workaholics are twice as likely to end in divorce as those with spouses who do not have workaholic tendencies. Robinson, also a recovering workaholic, also authored "Chained to the Desk: A Guidebook for Workaholics, Their Partners and Children, and the Clinicians Who Treat Them."

I was skeptical on calling this a disease, akin to alcoholism or drug addiction until I read: "The preoccupation with work is really at the core of what workaholism is." As with other obsession and preoccupation disorders, it's the need of the work that overtakes the desire for the rest of the sufferer's life.

There is a difference between being a hard worker and being a workaholic. The hard worker may work long hours, but gladly leaves work at the office when they go on vacation or are doing something fun. A workaholic may sneak in work when they think no one notices. A hard worker may daydream of going to their favorite restaurant while working, a workaholic may be thinking about work while at their favorite restaurant.

Workaholics tend to keep themselves busy with tasks that could easily be delegated to employees. They are likely control freaks and perfectionists, preferring to do everything themselves than to let someone else do a task in their own way.

A workaholic may neglect their personal life. They prefer to work... on work... than on a relationship. They may avoid time with family over scheduling meetings and working late hours. Even when a workaholic is at home, they tend to be preoccupied with thinking about work or doing work tasks rather than home-life tasks.

The characteristic of workaholics that hits really close to home is - workaholics tend to turn hobbies into businesses and incorporate other aspects of life into working. This one really resonates with me as every one of my businesses was a hobby first.

This article highlights some of the warning signs and symptoms of workaholism. Check back for the continuation of this series, where you'll find some stories and suggestions for how to deal with yourself or a loved one who may be a workaholic.

For more about workaholism visit Workaholics Anonymous".

To outsource some of your projects to experts in their field visit Small Business Services and get the support you need to grow your business and free up your valuable time.