Work can provide an exhilarating sense of adventure and fulfillment. That is, of course, if people would just get off their back about how unbalanced their life is. Unfortunately, too few workaholics realize they actually prefer work to intimacy until they've already gotten themselves into a relationship. Workaholics, like everyone else, need companionship, love, physical intimacy. They just need it on their terms, when they can find a break in their busy schedules.
Workaholics have hard choices to make.
They can shy away from involvement with others who expect personal time. Or they can give up workaholism. They can compromise on a mutually agreed to schedule. It's easier for significant others to adjust when they know they can count on attendance and attention at specific times. Once they accept the situation, they can get on with planning their own lives around the workaholic's schedule.