Yup. I did a google search when I got home from my holiday trip and a LOT of information on it came up, which is why I was looking at substance abuse therapists rathre than just an AA program for her. I figured she started the excessive spending spree-- really demanding my dad losen up on the finances -- about a year after the surgery. Which meant she lost 80 lbs and realized it wasn't making her happier so she went through the check book until it hurt. Now that they're strapped due to recession and my dad going from working 6 days a week to 4, she's opting for the cheaper and less healthy coping mechanism. I was hoping if she accepted treatment, we could get to the root of it and stop the addiction from transferring to something else again. This is with my very limited psychology studies so I know I could be very wrong.. but a professional would not hurt, if she would go.