Research objective: the specific objective was to establish whether there is any connection between addictive behaviour and exposure to occupational stress amongst workers of different occupations in a healthcare institution. Organisation of the study: cross-sectional study. Respondents and methods: 227 respondents employed in the General Hospital Varaždin participated in the research. 133 out of the total number of the respondents were healthcare workers, whilst 94 of those questioned were non-healthcare workers. 4 measuring instruments were selected for the purpose of this study. Results: amongst the analysed addictive substances most respondents used tobacco products (n = 102), which were followed by alcoholic drinks (n = 38), to a slightly lesser extent marijuana (n = 16), whereas hard drugs were the least commonly used (n = 8). The respondents showed statistically significant differences in the levels of potential and acknowledged addiction in relation to their their workplace. A significant correlation was established between the acknowledged addiction and the analysed stress variables. Non-healthcare workers were more subject to occupational stress. The respondents who were not overwhelmed with work were assessed as being statistically significantly less prone to developing a potential and an acknowledged addiction compared with the respondents who were overwhelmed with work. A statistically significant negative correlation was visible concerning the potential addiction and disrupted interpersonal relationships, whereas the development of acknowledged addiction was primarily affected by a shortage of workers, continuous education and 24-hour responsibility. Conclusion: there was a tendency for addictive behaviour amongst the workers involved in different occupations in a healthcare institution, as well as the connection between occupational stress and addictions. Workplace addictive substance abuse has always been an important, yet a little-known problem. Hence, prevention programmes need to be implemented, whilst in cases when the addiction problem has already developed, assistance programmes need to be implemented intended both for the workers and the members of their families.