Shopping: Therapy or Addiction?

According to an article by the Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery at Proctor Hospital, "addictive disorders are characterized by: recurrent failure to control a behavior, increased tension prior to a behavior, and pleasure while experiencing the behavior." Not everyone views shopping as something he or she can choose to do for fun; some seem to need it and crave it, sort of like a drug.

Known more commonly as "shopaholism" or "compulsive shopping addiction," this addiction is one that requires help like any other. Called "oniomania" by some healthcare professionals, it can be the cause of divorces, job problems, and financial troubles.


Eric "Rick" Zehr, vice president of addiction and behavioral services at the Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery at Proctor Hospital, says that "addiction is measured not by the amount of drug used or behavior engaged in but by the consequences (family, employment, spiritual, cognitive, emotional, psychological) of that behavior."

The signs of oniomania are not as clear cut as those of, say, alcoholism; however, there are signs to look for. If someone spends way too much and does it often, this could indicate an addiction to shopping. Shopping addicts also tend to hide their purchases, as they feel guilt regarding their habit. They also return their purchases as easily as they buy them, playing out their love for the game. The journey of shopping for this kind of addict is the "high" he or she achieves, mostly from the process of simply spending money, not from purchasing a fun item.

Below are some tips to help fight the beginnings of an addiction and stop the vicious cycle before it takes root:

1. Don't shop alone! Researchers have found that you're likely to spend more if you venture out on your own to the mall. Keep a buddy with you, and designate him or her as the force keeping you from spending out of your budget. You may hate that person for a few minutes, but you'll thank him or her afterward.
   
   
2. Leave those credit cards at home. Yes, you've probably heard this advice time and time again, but it is really important to take into consideration. Although shopping addicts shop regardless of how much money they have, this is a blockade that could help you to stop overspending. A credit card can be used to buy, buy, buy. If you take away the temptation, you may be a little bummed out at first, but you'll be happier in the long run!
   
   
3. Shopping isn't the only pastime you can partake in. Sure, it's fun to roam around your favorite stores, but there are other ways to enjoy yourself. Grab some coffee with a friend; you'll hear him or her better than you would if you tried to chat by the Macy's makeup counter. The movies are also a great distraction from everyday life if you'd rather avoid talking altogether and escape from it all.
   
   
4. Take inventory. Look into your closet and take note of what you have and what you don't have. Identify your basics and work around them. A lot of times, shopping addicts buy something and leave it in their closet untouched for weeks. If you find that a few weeks have passed since you've worn that new skirt, take it back! Realize that you can accessorize any boring old outfit.

If you do start becoming a shopping addict or you've already been sucked in, or if you know of someone who is hooked on hitting the mall, help yourself or your friend seek medical attention.

"Treatment involves group therapy, individual therapy, educational sessions, family conferences, family program(s), [and] employer conferences," says Zehr. Just like rehab, these outlets can help end the addiction.

Zehr also says that "the best way to approach someone with a shopping addiction is to honestly tell them how their addiction is affecting them and that you care enough about them to want them to get help for themself."

As with any addiction, the first step is admittance. Although it may seem less serious than substance abuse, compulsive shopping can end up costing you not only money but the ones you love.