Shopping Addiction
By Leslie Thompson
“I had a rough week, so I deserve a little treat.” “I need to shop to help stimulate the economy. I’m just doing my part—right?” If this sounds familiar, you may be one of the millions of Americans suffering from a shopping addiction. Shopping addiction, like any other addiction, is a serious issue and one that needs to be addressed and treated.
Shopping addiction, also known as compulsive spending or “shopoholism,” affects approximately 5 percent of Americans, and contrary to popular belief, it affects both men and women. But when does shopping turn from a favorite pastime into an addiction? Most of us have heard the phrase “retail therapy” and it’s safe to say that almost all of us have partaken in this activity at some point in our lives. But for the majority of Americans, shopping is a special splurge—a new outfit for work, a new electronic to wile away the day with—and that’s where it ends. However, once shopping takes on a new meaning and is something an individual must do, there’s a problem.
Shopping addiction is defined as a behavioral addiction characterized by excessive and out-of-control spending. People who are compulsive shoppers experience a “high” similar to the euphoric feelings often associated with drug and alcohol abuse when they shop. Once the “high” wanes, feelings of guilt and shame overcome an individual. In order to free themselves from this feeling, they shop again to regain the high. The cyclical nature of this addiction continues and becomes detrimental to an individual’s life, both financially and mentally.
There are numerous tell-tell signs and symptoms of a shopping addiction. First and foremost is compulsive shopping. For example, an individual goes shopping with the intention of buying one pair of shoes and returns with eight. Overspending and breaking one’s budget is another clear sign of a shopping problem. This often leads to severe financial problems and huge amounts of debt. Having secret credit cards and hiding purchases from loved ones as a way to avoid confrontation about one’s spending is another sign. Constantly returning purchases due to guilt and shame is a fourth symptom.
Impaired relationships are also a result of shopping addiction. As an addict accumulates more debt and progressively becomes more secretive toward their loved ones, relationships become strained. Experiencing clear consequences as a result of compulsive spending is the final symptom of an addict.
The reason why some individuals are more prone to develop addictive behaviors are unclear, but specific behaviors that may signal an addiction include: consistently buying items on credit rather than cash, lying about how much an item actually cost, and experiencing a rush of excitement after shopping. Shopping addicts also compulsively shop as a way to fill some form of emotional deprivation, such as anger, depression, or loneliness. By spending, they can distract themselves from the core problem they are actually battling.
Individuals suffering from a shopping addiction can seek treatment through 12-step programs, one-on-one therapy sessions with a therapist, or group therapy programs. In addition to therapy, addicts should reduce temptation by avoiding stores where they are known to frequent. Cutting up credit cards and solely using cash as a form of payment are other ways to cope with compulsive spending. Lastly, seeking help from a credit counselor can help overspenders get back on track. The most important and often most difficult step in fighting a shopping addiction is admitting that you have a problem.
