How to break the addiction?
Shopping addiction, also known as compulsive buying disorder, is a behavioral addiction that involves excessive and uncontrollable spending on shopping, often resulting in financial, emotional, and social problems. People with shopping addiction may shop to cope with stress, anxiety, depression, boredom, or low self-esteem, or to fill a void in their lives. They may also experience a rush of excitement, pleasure, or relief when they buy something, followed by guilt, shame, or regret later.
Shopping addiction can have serious consequences for the individual and their loved ones. It can lead to debt, bankruptcy, marital conflict, legal issues, health problems, and isolation. Shopping addiction can also interfere with one's work, education, hobbies, and personal goals. Therefore, it is important to recognize the signs of shopping addiction and seek help if needed.
Some of the signs of shopping addiction are:
- Spending more than you can afford or budget on shopping
- Shopping as a way of escaping from negative emotions or situations
- Feeling unable to resist the urge to buy something
- Buying things that you don't need or use
- Hiding or lying about your purchases or debts
- Feeling guilty, ashamed, or depressed after shopping
- Having trouble paying your bills or saving money because of your shopping habits
- Experiencing conflict with your partner, family, or friends over your shopping behavior
- Neglecting your responsibilities or interests because of your shopping
- Feeling anxious or restless when you are not shopping
If you think you have a shopping addiction, here are some steps you can take to break the addiction and regain control of your life:
- Admit that you have a problem and seek professional help. A therapist or counselor can help you understand the underlying causes of your shopping addiction and provide you with coping skills and strategies to overcome it. You may also benefit from joining a support group such as Shopaholics Anonymous or Debtors Anonymous, where you can share your experiences and receive encouragement from others who are going through the same thing .
- Set a realistic budget and stick to it. Make a list of your income and expenses and determine how much money you can spend on shopping each month. You may also want to use cash instead of credit cards or debit cards to limit your spending and avoid accumulating debt. You can also ask someone you trust to help you manage your finances or monitor your spending.
- Avoid triggers and temptations. Identify the situations, places, people, or emotions that trigger your urge to shop and try to avoid them as much as possible. For example, if you tend to shop online when you are bored or lonely, find other ways to occupy your time and connect with others, such as reading a book, calling a friend, or volunteering for a cause. If you are tempted by sales or advertisements, unsubscribe from email newsletters, catalogs, or magazines that promote shopping and delete any shopping apps from your phone or computer.
- Find healthy alternatives to shopping. Shopping may have been your way of coping with stress, boredom, sadness, or other feelings, but there are many other activities that can provide you with the same or better benefits without harming your wallet or well-being. For example, you can exercise, meditate, listen to music, watch a movie, play a game, learn a new skill, or pursue a hobby that you enjoy. These activities can help you relax, boost your mood, improve your self-esteem, and enrich your life.
- Seek support from others. Breaking a shopping addiction can be challenging and lonely, but you don't have to do it alone. Reach out to your family, friends, partner, or anyone else who cares about you and ask for their support and understanding. They can help you stay motivated and accountable, offer you emotional comfort and advice, and join you in doing fun and meaningful things that don't involve shopping.
References:
https://www.shopaholicsanonymous.org/
https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/how-to-stop-spending-money
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/inside-out/201309/are-you-addicted-online-shopping
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/addictions/compulsive-buying-disorder.htm
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