Episode 058 - Addiction at Work: What It Really Looks Like (And How to Help)

About this episode

This episode explores the realities of addiction in professional settings and offers insights on how to address it effectively.

What does addiction really look like — especially in professional life? Most of us carry an outdated picture of addiction. In this episode of PsychChat, Dr Austin Tay is joined by Karen Mills (Business Psychologist, Senior Manager for Adult Care, and PhD researcher in addiction) to unpack what addiction really is, how it hides in high-performing workplaces, and what leaders, managers, and organisations can do about it. In this episode, you will learn: • The difference between substance addiction and behavioural addiction • Why addiction is a compulsion — not a choice or moral failure • The behavioural, emotional, cognitive, and physical signs to look out for • Why high-performing professionals are particularly at risk — and why they hide it • How social normalisation (alcohol culture, prescription medication) makes addiction harder to spot • What UK law says: Equality Act 2010, Health & Safety at Work Act, Employment Rights Act • What organisations can do — from psychological safety to manager capability to HR policy • Why the first conversation should never be a formal HR meeting Whether you are an HR professional, a manager, an organisational leader, or someone who wants to…

People in this episode

Host: Austin Tay

Guest: Karen Mills

Topics covered

• addiction
• workplace
• mental health
• high performance
• HR policies

Keywords

• substance addiction
• behavioral addiction
• psychological safety
• manager capability
• employment rights

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: PsychChat, PhD

Places: UK, England

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• Episode 054 -"The Humble CEO Paradox: Why the Best Leaders Don't Act Like They're the Best" · September 19, 2025 · 19 min
• Episode 053 - Can Positivity Transform Your Workplace? The Revolution of Positive Organisational Psychology · April 4, 2025 · 26 min
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