DoPeFiEnD To ShOpAhOLiC.. - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

wishIsedNO · 09-05-2004, 02:03 PM

Yep I went from shooting heroin..To now shopping like crazy...Although now im trying to put a lid on it..But its hard.. At first when i got clean i was happy just to make it through a day without using..So i thought so what if im shopping alot...Its better then risking my life on getting high...But now almost 3 yrs into my recovery..Im seeing the toill shopping is doing to me...I feel anything in excess becomes a problem...And i also feel horrible because it aint my money...Its my moms..But then i rationalize...that i use to spend 80 dollars a day on heroin...So whats the problem with 80 dollars a week...But its still a problem...I guess its the empty...hole...that i need to fill...And shopping makes me feel better..makes me lose myself so i dont have to deal with everything that going on...Its a damned messed up disease...well i better go..My father is acting up.,,Jackie

servicejunkie · 09-07-2004, 07:17 AM

Like the text says "We will find ourselves struggling in areas of our lives which we never struggled in before". "Retail Therapy" or Compulsive spending is common for most people in recovery, I have experienced it from time to time. It's basically just an attempt to find a material solution for a spiritual dilema. When I'm close to my HP and doing the things I know I need to do in recovery, I usually don't get into those situations. I have some good literature that isn't fellowship approved on this topic that has helped me a good deal. I try to set aside so much money as fun money just to spent on whatever.

Sandy Marie · 09-07-2004, 07:22 AM

Hi Wish,
It's hard to get a grip on our compulsive behaviors. Don't give up.

servicejunkie · 09-07-2004, 10:26 AM

Check out www.nawol.org for some awesome literature on compulsive spending

Jon · 09-08-2004, 09:21 AM

I have 3, yep 3 big closets. All Full. I've never been much of a gambler, I figure if you're going inside with a bunch of money, you may as well come out with shopping bags instead of plastic nickel cups!

WeDoRecover · 09-08-2004, 01:15 PM

I've seen people with 15 years clean file bankruptcy because their "retail therapy" got out of control. I believe that our problem is about more than just drugs, it's a spiritual void and we need to fill that void (with spiritual solutions) to stay clean. I've been addicted to anything that takes me out of myself. Food, sex, shopping, relationships, internet... Take away the drugs and I still have a problem... ME!

Good luck to you!

wishIsedNO · 09-08-2004, 06:22 PM

Thanx for all your replys...And i agree with all of you...I knew rite away that it was getting out of hand..Because when id be in the store with my mom...And she didnt get me those pants i wanted or shirt or whatever...I was like 2 year old again feeling like i wanted to throw myself on the floor and kick my legs...Its the same feeling i would get when i was sick and be asking my mom for money and she wouldnt give it to me..and i already tried all my other ways of getting money...But then i wouldnt just suck it up and forget it...I would find a way to get straight..
Anyways i know heroin was only the symptom of my disease..That there was way more things i would have to deal with...But knowing about it and then actually dealing with it is a whole different story..Its like i see-saw back and forth..Somedays im totally upbeat and i have hope for my future..But then theres days like today that i feel miserable..And im full of the F-it's..Most of the groups around me are filled with older people...And my program is filled with people over the age of 39..Theres 2 new people that are 19...But there still stuck in there addictions...And for me thats the way its been...And ive looked...Sometimes i feel like maybe most( i aint saying all) young addicts take awhile to stop...Like until there in there late 20's..At least people ive met...And yea some of them stopped there DOC but they still hang at bars and drink or smoke pot...And for me i cant even deal with that..And i know i cant be controlling the way people live..So i sit home ALOT..Which bores me..But it aint just hanging out that bugs me...When i go to the groups in my clinic..And i share they make me feel like my problems are nothing...They talk down to me like im a little kid..And im sure they dont mean it...Because they see me as there daughter cause alotta them got kids my age..But it gets me annoyed because i feel like i aint connecting...And the things they talk about I have no clue about...So im always feeling like an outsider..I know that as long as im doing what im suppose to be doing ill be alright...and once i find a job things will probably be better because i wont feel so useless..and ill be more busy..But for now this thing of not being able to feel like i got anything in common with anyone bugs the hell out of me..
well thanx for lisitening..this forum has helped me soo much...And im sure it helped you too..wish everyone the best..Jackie

09-05-2004, 02:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
wishIsedNO Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: QUeeNz,NoOYaWk Posts: 210	DoPeFiEnD To ShOpAhOLiC.. Yep I went from shooting heroin..To now shopping like crazy...Although now im trying to put a lid on it..But its hard.. At first when i got clean i was happy just to make it through a day without using..So i thought so what if im shopping alot...Its better then risking my life on getting high...But now almost 3 yrs into my recovery..Im seeing the toill shopping is doing to me...I feel anything in excess becomes a problem...And i also feel horrible because it aint my money...Its my moms..But then i rationalize...that i use to spend 80 dollars a day on heroin...So whats the problem with 80 dollars a week...But its still a problem...I guess its the empty...hole...that i need to fill...And shopping makes me feel better..makes me lose myself so i dont have to deal with everything that going on...Its a damned messed up disease...well i better go..My father is acting up.,,Jackie

09-07-2004, 07:22 AM	#3 (permalink)
Sandy Marie Castaway Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 787	Hi Wish, It's hard to get a grip on our compulsive behaviors. Don't give up. __________________ I want to be sober when my ship comes in.

09-08-2004, 09:21 AM	#5 (permalink)
Jon But Very, Very Bruisable... Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Palm Springs, Ca. Posts: 559	I have 3, yep 3 big closets. All Full. I've never been much of a gambler, I figure if you're going inside with a bunch of money, you may as well come out with shopping bags instead of plastic nickel cups! __________________ Have A Great 24 -jon

09-08-2004, 01:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
WeDoRecover I'm Not Alone Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: City of Dreams Posts: 33	I've seen people with 15 years clean file bankruptcy because their "retail therapy" got out of control. I believe that our problem is about more than just drugs, it's a spiritual void and we need to fill that void (with spiritual solutions) to stay clean. I've been addicted to anything that takes me out of myself. Food, sex, shopping, relationships, internet... Take away the drugs and I still have a problem... ME! Good luck to you! __________________ "There is one thing more than anything else that will defeat us in our recovery; this is an attitude of indifference or intolerance toward spiritual principles. Three of these that are indispensable are honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness. With these we are well on our way." -How It Works, Narcotics Anonymous Basic Text, p. 18

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09-07-2004, 07:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
servicejunkie an addict named Mike Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 188	Like the text says "We will find ourselves struggling in areas of our lives which we never struggled in before". "Retail Therapy" or Compulsive spending is common for most people in recovery, I have experienced it from time to time. It's basically just an attempt to find a material solution for a spiritual dilema. When I'm close to my HP and doing the things I know I need to do in recovery, I usually don't get into those situations. I have some good literature that isn't fellowship approved on this topic that has helped me a good deal. I try to set aside so much money as fun money just to spent on whatever.

09-07-2004, 10:26 AM	#4 (permalink)
servicejunkie an addict named Mike Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 188	Check out www.nawol.org for some awesome literature on compulsive spending

09-08-2004, 06:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
wishIsedNO Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: QUeeNz,NoOYaWk Posts: 210	Thanx for all your replys...And i agree with all of you...I knew rite away that it was getting out of hand..Because when id be in the store with my mom...And she didnt get me those pants i wanted or shirt or whatever...I was like 2 year old again feeling like i wanted to throw myself on the floor and kick my legs...Its the same feeling i would get when i was sick and be asking my mom for money and she wouldnt give it to me..and i already tried all my other ways of getting money...But then i wouldnt just suck it up and forget it...I would find a way to get straight.. Anyways i know heroin was only the symptom of my disease..That there was way more things i would have to deal with...But knowing about it and then actually dealing with it is a whole different story..Its like i see-saw back and forth..Somedays im totally upbeat and i have hope for my future..But then theres days like today that i feel miserable..And im full of the F-it's..Most of the groups around me are filled with older people...And my program is filled with people over the age of 39..Theres 2 new people that are 19...But there still stuck in there addictions...And for me thats the way its been...And ive looked...Sometimes i feel like maybe most( i aint saying all) young addicts take awhile to stop...Like until there in there late 20's..At least people ive met...And yea some of them stopped there DOC but they still hang at bars and drink or smoke pot...And for me i cant even deal with that..And i know i cant be controlling the way people live..So i sit home ALOT..Which bores me..But it aint just hanging out that bugs me...When i go to the groups in my clinic..And i share they make me feel like my problems are nothing...They talk down to me like im a little kid..And im sure they dont mean it...Because they see me as there daughter cause alotta them got kids my age..But it gets me annoyed because i feel like i aint connecting...And the things they talk about I have no clue about...So im always feeling like an outsider..I know that as long as im doing what im suppose to be doing ill be alright...and once i find a job things will probably be better because i wont feel so useless..and ill be more busy..But for now this thing of not being able to feel like i got anything in common with anyone bugs the hell out of me.. well thanx for lisitening..this forum has helped me soo much...And im sure it helped you too..wish everyone the best..Jackie

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