Shopping Addiction

QUESTION: In three words, describe the best shopping trip of your life.

ANSWER: The next one.

From an incisive analysis of shopping addiction, the online commentator Mad Dog writes, “In America, shopping is based on Sun Tzu’s “Art of War”, which explains why shoppers spend more time preparing for the day after Thanksgiving than Eisenhower did for the battle of Normandy. Of course, keep in mind that Normandy didn’t put everything on sale for 30% off.  So enjoy this holiday season, for soon the shopping will be over, the bills will be due, and you’ll be spending your evenings at Shoppers Anonymous.”  Although often viewed from a light perspective, shopping addiction is a serious disease that can devastate a family, leading to bankruptcy and divorce. Mistakenly believed to be suffered only by women, shopping addiction affects both genders. Far from innocuous, the need to shop beyond your means is a desperate attempt to fill the spiritual hole at the core of an addict’s being.

Shopping addicts express their fear and pain in concise and clear terms; “I am addicted to shopping as well. It can get really intense. I am a single mom in NY working two jobs. One of my jobs covers my weekly binges. I need to stop this because it is totally addictive.”  Another shopper in the clutches of the addiction writes, “I need help, I’m sinking. I can’t stop spending. I am so proud of myself if I don’t go shopping for a week. But then I make it up when I do go. I make a day out of it; I shop for everything and anything. I have this feeling that just won’t go away until I spend every cent I have on me. Please tell me where I can get help. I have been a compulsive spender for 20 years.”  Finally, in an expression of undeniable pain, an addict writes, “I am suffering from this shopping thing too, I totally screw everything up and I hate living a lie and having to lie to cover up my muck ups.  I convince myself that I deserve what I’m buying and it makes me happy but then I can’t sleep or anything for fear of being found out — HELP!”

At ONE80CENTER, we can answer the cry for help by treating this widely misunderstood addiction. There is no longer the need to place the future of your family and life in jeopardy. Shopping addicts often minimize their problem, not believing that anyone will take them seriously. We understand this fear, and we are willing to address it head-on by helping you face the challenge of this dangerous addiction with skilled experts and informed care.