Addiction to Shopping: Quit in 7 Steps

Shopping addiction is a compulsive disorder where someone obsessively buys often unnecessary or unaffordable items, leading to financial, emotional, and relational problems. Also known as oniomania; those affected are called shopaholics.

Nederlands Dagblad reports that 5% of Dutch people are addicted to shopping. Research from mental health institution Trubendorffer indicates that 6% of women are addicted, and psychologist Helga Dittmar from the University of Sussex showed that 9 out of 10 shopaholics are women and found two characteristics of shopaholics: materialism and low self-esteem. Uzarska et al. (2021) affirm this in their study, where they discovered that shopping addiction is associated with higher extroversion, narcissism, social anxiety, and lower self-esteem.

Shopping addiction is a real addiction, comparable to other behavioral addictions, characterized by an obsessive urge to shop and experiencing a ‘high’ with purchases.

Shopping addiction can be treated through the following 7 steps, depending on the severity of the addiction.

1. Self-help: Awareness of triggers and developing self-control.
2. Helping partner or friend: Provide support and seek alternatives together.
3. Intervention: Confront the individual with the addiction with family or friends.
4. Counseling: Professional help for underlying issues.
5. Therapy: Behavioral therapy to improve coping mechanisms.
6. Medication: Sometimes needed for additional mental problems.
7. Clinical rehabilitation: Intensive treatment for severe cases.

Shopping addiction can be recognized by making impulsive purchases, lying about expenses, and financial problems from shopping, which often accompany depression, with symptoms like mood swings and low self-esteem matching.

Withdrawal symptoms from shopping addiction include anxiety, restlessness, stress, and depressive feelings when stopping excessive shopping.

Below you will find a clear explanation of the 7 steps to overcome shopping addiction.

1. Self-help

There are some self-help strategies to overcome mild compulsive shopping problems. Strategies include creating a budget, tracking expenditures, and setting shopping limits.

It is essential to identify triggers that stimulate the urge to shop and develop healthier ways to cope with stress. Help from loved ones can positively contribute to recovery. It is important to acknowledge the addiction and actively take steps towards recovery.

2. Helping Partner or Friend

To help a partner or friend overcome a shopping addiction, it is important to first acknowledge and understand the addiction. Support them in seeking professional help, such as a therapist specializing in behavioral addictions. Create a budget together and learn to manage money.

Also identify triggers that cause the shopping urge and develop strategies to avoid them, encourage learning healthier coping mechanisms, and provide a supportive network.

According to research by Bob Fennis, looking at a photo of a friend can prevent impulse purchases. Shopaholics often feel ashamed and regret their purchases, sometimes trying to hide them. They hold back their shopping in the presence of friends, even at the sight of a reminder photo.

3. Intervention

An intervention is the next step to stop a shopping addiction. Family members and friends address the shopaholic, often with the help of a professional. It is important to communicate calmly and clearly.

The goal is to raise awareness of the damage and motivate treatment. An intervention plan includes specific goals and potential consequences if help is refused. Choosing an intervention specialist, such as a social worker, is important because they can offer guidance.

Preparation is crucial. Participants practice their message and sometimes write a letter to read aloud to ensure they convey what they intended. An intervention is sensitive and can provoke resistance. It is crucial for the addict to feel understood and open to recovery.

4. Counseling

Counseling is an effective treatment for individuals struggling with shopping addiction. It can offer assistance in managing budgets or finding the right resources to stop. It may also extend to therapies, which we detail separately in the next section.

Group and family counseling provide a supportive environment to share experiences and challenges, working towards restoring relationships and finances. Additional options like self-help groups, workbooks, and support through helplines can supplement counseling and offer extra help in reducing or eliminating shopping behavior.

It is important to find a therapeutic approach that resonates with the individual’s specific needs to increase the chances of recovery. Sometimes this also involves more intensive therapy.

5. Therapy

Therapy for shopping addiction is the next step. Treatment focuses on stress management and addressing the primary causes. Therapy teaches control over negative shopping habits and develops prevention techniques. Common forms of therapy include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).

CBT helps individuals recognize triggers and underlying emotional issues contributing to addictive behavior. It teaches healthier thoughts and behaviors. DBT focuses on emotion regulation, interpersonal skills, and stress resilience.

Medication can be effective in helping manage impulses. Antidepressants are sometimes prescribed. Family can offer support and encouragement to the affected individual. Recovery often includes relapse prevention and management strategies like deep breathing to cope with the urge to shop.

6. Medication

Medication for shopping addiction can help, although there are no specific drugs for this. Medications manage impulsivity, improve mood, both essential for addressing compulsive shopping behavior.

Antidepressants, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are often prescribed. Studies suggest fluoxetine can also be helpful, a drug shown to aid impulse control.

It is important to always seek professional advice to determine the right treatment plan, depending on individual needs and circumstances.

7. Clinical Rehabilitation

A clinical rehabilitation treatment for shopping addiction offers intensive care in a structured environment. Programs focus on recovery without external distractions.

Facilities range from luxury to standard, some offering private rooms, gourmet meals, spa treatments, equine therapy, and yoga. Treatments include individual and group therapy, behavioral techniques, and medication management. Relapse prevention is a key focus, with alternatives like art therapy.

Outpatient options are less intensive but offer flexibility. Addicts receive weekly therapy and medication if needed.

What Are the Signs of a Shopping Addiction?

Signs of shopping addiction include obsessive thoughts about shopping, continuously spending money despite negative consequences, and little control over buying behavior. Addicts experience a rush with purchases, followed by guilt or shame.

They may lie about or hide their shopping behavior, neglect responsibilities, and damage relationships. Stress, emotions such as anger, or the pursuit of euphoria can lead to impulse purchases, resulting in chronic debt.

According to Sohn and Choi (2014), shopping addiction goes through five phases: retail therapy, denial, debt burden, impulsive buying, and compulsive buying. Individuals with this addiction often seek professional help when the fixation on buying becomes known and the consequences are too great.

Does a Shopping Addiction Often Coexist with Depression?

Yes, there is evidence that a shopping addiction coexists with depression. Addictive behavior, such as compulsive shopping, can be a symptom of underlying mental health issues. Individuals may use shopping to alleviate feelings of depression or anxiety. This can lead to financial stress, exacerbating the problems.

Addiction to buying clothes and excessive saving (collecting coupons) also falls under shopping addiction. The rise of online shopping has increased accessibility and worsened the issue. Evidence suggests that treating the underlying condition, such as depression or anxiety, can help reduce the urge for excessive shopping.

Is a Clothes Addiction a Form of Excessive Shopping?

Yes, an addiction to clothes can be a form of shopping addiction. Shopping addiction involves excessive shopping with little control over spending. People with a clothes addiction often buy garments for style, despite negative consequences.

This specific addiction aligns with compulsive shopping. Individuals experience excitement and euphoria when buying clothes.

Have Addictions Worsened Due to Online Shopping?

Yes, shopping addiction has worsened due to online shopping. According to Günüç and Keskin (2017), online shopping addiction is characterized by hedonic factors such as the ease of browsing, lower prices, variety of goods, time-saving, and impulsive behavior, and is linked to a lack of self-control.

The study shows that the increased risks and severity of addiction often arise from frequent, impulsive buying desires, which are reinforced by the comfort and temptations offered by online retailers.

Is Occasional Binge Shopping Also an Addiction?

Yes, occasional binge shopping can indicate a shopping addiction if it accompanies strong emotions such as euphoria or excitement during the purchase, and negative emotions like anger or sadness afterward. People with a shopping addiction often obsessively think about shopping and feel guilty or ashamed after a binge.

Hiding shopping sprees, lying about the extent of shopping, and continuing to buy despite financial problems are also signs of addiction.

Is It an Addiction if I Buy Items and Then Return Them?

Yes, buying items to later return them can also be a sign of an addiction. It is a chronic condition where people have little control over their buying behavior. The continuous cycle of purchasing and returning is a way to handle feelings of excitement or euphoria without immediate financial consequences.

Is Excessive Saving and Coupon Collecting an Addiction?

Yes, obsessively saving and collecting coupons can indicate shopping addiction. This behavior is sometimes a sign of a chronic condition where the fixation on financial gain justifies the negative consequences of excessive buying. This cycle of seeking discounts can point to a lack of control over buying behavior.

Are People with ADHD More Susceptible to a Shopping Addiction?

Yes, people with ADHD are more susceptible to a shopping addiction. ADHD increases impulsivity and reduces executive functions, such as self-control. This combination makes them more prone to compulsive buying behavior. They often experience heightened sensitivity to emotional swings and seek ways to compensate for negative emotions.

Shopping can offer temporary excitement and pleasure, leading to a fixation on buying as a coping mechanism. Dopamine levels, which can be lower in ADHD, rise when shopping, enhancing the allure.

Are People with Bipolar Disorder More Susceptible to a Shopping Addiction?

People with bipolar disorder may be more susceptible to shopping addiction. Research in the ‘Journal of Affective Disorders’ shows they engage in compulsive buying more frequently than those without the disorder. More severe symptoms of bipolar disorder, such as depression and mania, are associated with this buying urge.

What are the Withdrawal Symptoms of a Shopping Addiction?

Withdrawal symptoms of shopping addiction include intense cravings to shop, feelings of loneliness when not shopping, and significant mood swings after stopping. Addicts often face financial problems, relationship conflicts due to arguments with family members, and broken promises, leading to a loss of trust and belongings.

Shopping anxiety manifests as feelings of anxiety triggered by the urge to shop or by not being able to shop. A shopping addiction differs from other behavioral addictions due to its nature and emotional component.

How Do You Overcome Shopping Stress?

To overcome shopping stress, it helps to understand its causes. Financial planning can also reduce stress. If you know you make impulsive purchases, make a list before going to the store to stay focused. This reduces any stress and overstimulation when shopping.

Is a Shopping Addiction Different from Other Behavioral Addictions?

Shopping addiction differs from other behavioral addictions in its involvement and association with the internet. Key differences include the significant negative impact on loved ones, comparable to gambling addiction but different from other behavioral addictions.