Shopping Addictions – Similar To Drug Addiction?
Shopping Addictions - Is it Really A Thing?
Shopping addictions are definitely a thing! When I first got clean and sober, I started to spend much more money than before. Part of this was because I had more money because I wasn’t spending it on drugs and alcohol. The other part was that it was something that made me feel good. Shopping and spending money was another way to find something outside of myself that would make me feel better.
After a few months of being clean, I was fully aware that I was spending too much money. For me, it was as simple as just trying to be more responsible about what I bought and not spending as much. I enjoy shopping, and I sometimes spend more than I should, but I wouldn’t consider it a significant problem in my life. I can certainly see how it could turn into a big problem, though.
For many people, having a shopping addiction is a genuine problem. Just like any other addiction, people with shopping addictions get the same sort of high or rush as other addicts might get from drugs and alcohol. Shopping becomes a compulsive behavior that feels entirely out of control. Some of the common signs of having a shopping addiction are:
- Overspending/spending money that you don’t have, whether it’s by charging something to a credit card or spending rent/grocery money on unnecessary items
- Buying compulsively – telling yourself you are going out to buy one thing and ending up with many more things that aren’t necessary
- Consistently a problem – going on a shopping spree or overspending once or twice doesn’t mean you have a shopping addiction. When it becomes a pattern, though, there may be a problem
- Hiding purchases – just like drug addicts and alcoholics often try to hide their drug use, a shopping addict may try to hide how much they are spending or what they are buying
- Relationship problems – as with any addiction, relationships often suffer, and this is no different for someone who is addicted to shopping/spending money.
- Continued behavior despite adverse consequences
It can be challenging for some people to understand how a behavior such as shopping or spending money can be considered an addiction. Still, when you look at the signs, they are almost identical to the signs of drug addiction or alcoholism.
What I’ve learned is that any behavior can become a problem. It doesn’t matter if it’s something as simple as exercise or using the internet. The internet is just part of our lives today, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be a problem.
Someone who spends time on the internet and ignores their responsibilities can have a problem with using the internet. Exercising obsessively and compulsively can be a problem, and is a problem, for a lot of people. Exercise is almost always seen as healthy and as a good thing, but this isn’t always the case. It doesn’t matter what the ‘addiction’ or behavior is, pretty much anything can become detrimental to someone’s well-being and mental health.
Many people are in serious debt because they can’t control their spending. It’s important to acknowledge that shopping and spending money can truly be harmful to someone’s life and well-being. It doesn’t do anyone any good to minimize the problems that can occur from shopping. This addiction is hard to overcome, and like any other kind of problem behavior, shopping addiction treatment might be necessary.
How To Help People With Shopping Addictions
There are a lot of different ways to help someone with a shopping addiction. Therapy is one thing that can be very helpful. The most common form of treatment for shopping addictions is cognitive-behavioral therapy. The aim here is to get the person to understand that their behavior is a problem and to find ways to change this behavior and replace it with something healthier.
Some professionals will recommend getting rid of all checks and credit cards so you can only spend money you actually have.
Another option is to let someone else, a spouse or parent, control your finances for a while. It can be helpful to have someone come with you when you go shopping so you can stay accountable to someone. Many people spend money and go shopping as a way to channel their emotions, so finding another way to deal with uncomfortable feelings can help with overspending.
Several 12 step groups can provide support for someone who shops/spends too much. There is Spenders Anonymous, Debtors Anonymous, and Shopping Addiction Support Group. All of these groups have websites with a lot of useful resources and information on them.
As with any kind of addiction or compulsive behavior, shopping and overspending needs to be taken seriously. If you have a problem or know someone with a problem, there are ways to get help, and it’s not something you should be embarrassed by.