Spending and Shopping Addictions

If you have a shopping and spending addiction you will compulsively engage in shopping and spend whatever is necessary to get what you desire.  In fact you may often buy things you do not need and may not even use. 

With the ever increasing access to credit cards, the number of people with a shopping and spending addiction is astounding.  While the exact number is not known, It is estimated that there are over 14-15 million shopaholics in the U.S. 

A shopping and spending addiction affects people of all education levels and in all professions.  Additionally, contrary to accepted stereotypes, it appears to affect men and women in equal numbers.

As with other addictions like gambling and sexual addictions or internet and eating addictions, there is a desire for control, for immediate gratification, and to feel free of stress and anxiety or depression and other problems. 

A spending addiction can be seen as a symptom that there are negative feelings you are trying to avoid. Indulging in shopping helps numb these feelings, at least for a while. Feelings of emptiness, low self-esteem, insecurity, boredom, loneliness, anger or the pursuit of ideal image can lead you to compulsive shopping and spending.  Shopping and spending temporarily diminishes these negative feelings, but every time you try to stop the addictive pattern of compulsive spending, you may find you have to deal with distressing feelings again.  

Addictive behavior commonly provides a temporary level of satisfaction and the illusion of being in control.  However, as with the other addictive behaviors, a shopping and spending addict overlooks, ignores, or rationalizes the long-term and self-destructive implications of the addictive behavior.

If you are a spending addict, one or two out-of-control shopping binges do not bring about enough satisfaction. You will find yourself repeatedly in shopping binges despite the negative consequences.  Typically, you will buy items you do not really need and may never use. You may hide or destroy price tags and receipts and lie about how much you have spent.

Several of the behaviors and feelings typically associated with addictive shopping and spending include:

• Having a sense of euphoria when spending money
• Commonly spending more than you can afford
• Spending unusual amounts of time and/or money buying on the Internet, in catalogues, or on shopping channels
• Frequently spending time shopping that could be spent with family, friends or on work
• Feeling guilty, ashamed, embarrassed or confused after shopping or spending
• Hiding purchases and receipts and lying about purchases
• Feeling lost without credit cards or a check book
• Feeling on edge, agitated, or irritable when you have not been able to shop

I have found that a spending and shopping addiction is frequently an attempt to try to purchase happiness, to feel good about yourself and be admired, to feel accepted, to feel in control, and as an attempt to avoid negative feelings.  However, for most shopping and spending addicts, the negative consequences of the addiction, such as guilt, debt and financial ruin, and feeling ashamed and out of control, outweigh any positive results.

As with other addictions, professional help is often needed to control and overcome this addictive behavior.

To overcome an addiction like spending and shopping you must first recognize and accept that you have a problem.  Next you have to conclude that you want to change your behavior and overcome the problem.  Overcoming an addiction is basically a decision that you must make on your own and can not effectively be made for you by a parent, a spouse, lover, or a friend.

Shopping and spending addictive behavior is treatable. If you truly want to stop your addictive shopping and spending habits there are treatment methods that can help you to eliminate negative behaviors and develop new patterns of behavior.

In  working with my clients, I have found that insight alone will not stop addictive behavior. The triggers, the feelings, the dysfunctional thoughts, the behaviors, the consequences of the behavior, as well as the meaning of the compulsive buying, all need to be explored.  Then I work with my clients to develop appropriate behavior patterns to replace the unhealthy addictive patterns.

As with most other addictive and impulse control problems, there is a wide range of effective treatment options including traditional psychotherapy, reality therapy, cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. Group therapy and self help programs such as Debtors Anonymous have also been shown to be effective.  

Couples therapy, in addition to individual therapy, may be necessary.  \Medications, including antidepressants and mood stabilizers, when combined with other forms of treatment, can also be helpful in treating an addiction of shopping and spending.

For more information about a shopping and spending addiction, please click on the linked websites listed below.

"If you really want help dealing with your feelings and emotions, changing your behavior, and improving your life, I will be happy to help you.  I am available almost any time and any place.  You can call me directly and there is no cost or obligation for the initial telephone consultation.  Or you can reach me by email.  I look forward to the possibility of helping you to improve your life."   Dr. Vince Berger