ot - shopping addiction?
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Mid Atlantic Region
Posts: 7
ot - shopping addiction?
Hey.. I have come here in the past for other things, my live in bf was in active addiction, then eventually and currently in active recovery in NA, and most of everything centered around him and that for the past 4 years.
I now realize that I have a problem (and have through most of my life had a problem) with compulsive/binge shopping but have not been able to find any communities online that deals with this. Several places marked "shopaholics anonymous" are actually places that have links to the best internet deals. Of course I've clicked on all of them!
I also am a member of NarAnon due to my reactions and my attitudes concerning the drug addiction in my life, but would like a focus on shopping/spending, because it is progressing and it's scaring the crap out of me.
If anyone knows of anywhere, any online groups or forums, please PM me that info! Thanks so much I just realized the other day how much lying and sneaking I do lately.. it's pathetic really.
I now realize that I have a problem (and have through most of my life had a problem) with compulsive/binge shopping but have not been able to find any communities online that deals with this. Several places marked "shopaholics anonymous" are actually places that have links to the best internet deals. Of course I've clicked on all of them!
I also am a member of NarAnon due to my reactions and my attitudes concerning the drug addiction in my life, but would like a focus on shopping/spending, because it is progressing and it's scaring the crap out of me.
If anyone knows of anywhere, any online groups or forums, please PM me that info! Thanks so much I just realized the other day how much lying and sneaking I do lately.. it's pathetic really.
hey summer, nice to see you posting. i go to open aa meetings, and alanon. i have met folks with shopping/spending/hoarding type addictions at both. isn't there a shoppers anonymous group? there should be ...
keep reaching out, k
keep reaching out, k
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 120
summerbrz, that's a good topic you raise
maybe someday SR could have a forum specifically for that (mods?)
I have the same kind of binge-shopping-spree problem. Luckily, now that my head is clearing from years of alcohol abuse and then addiction, there is more of a watchman at the gate.
Similar to other addictions, something in common is the hunger or craving for "something" external because of some discontent or dissatisfaction, and the other side of that is lack of appreciation.
Some exercises that might help would be gratitude lists, mindfulness meditation, and keeping a log of income and all expenditures. Write them down (not just in the head). Maybe also write out a list of all the specific things you want to buy, and then weed it down to the things you really need (if any). And then don't go shopping for a week. Put some kind of delay between the impulse and the purchase.
Something I try to remember is to ask myself "who would that help?" or "how would that be useful?"
Today I've had a lot of shopping-related activity in my mind. Similar to drinking, I know I have a problem in that I always want MOARRR!!! If I want one of anything, I'll want a few, whether it's cologne, shoes, books, shirts, boyfriends, whatever. Maybe I just have a big appetite in general!
But we can learn and train ourselves to appreciate without owning or having. It does take practice though.
"you can't have everything -- where would you keep it?"
take care,
K
maybe someday SR could have a forum specifically for that (mods?)
I have the same kind of binge-shopping-spree problem. Luckily, now that my head is clearing from years of alcohol abuse and then addiction, there is more of a watchman at the gate.
Similar to other addictions, something in common is the hunger or craving for "something" external because of some discontent or dissatisfaction, and the other side of that is lack of appreciation.
Some exercises that might help would be gratitude lists, mindfulness meditation, and keeping a log of income and all expenditures. Write them down (not just in the head). Maybe also write out a list of all the specific things you want to buy, and then weed it down to the things you really need (if any). And then don't go shopping for a week. Put some kind of delay between the impulse and the purchase.
Something I try to remember is to ask myself "who would that help?" or "how would that be useful?"
Today I've had a lot of shopping-related activity in my mind. Similar to drinking, I know I have a problem in that I always want MOARRR!!! If I want one of anything, I'll want a few, whether it's cologne, shoes, books, shirts, boyfriends, whatever. Maybe I just have a big appetite in general!
But we can learn and train ourselves to appreciate without owning or having. It does take practice though.
"you can't have everything -- where would you keep it?"
take care,
K
Awaiting Email Confirmation
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 140
Apparently shopping addiction has a scientific name, oniomania and was classified over 100 years ago. It is a real disease with both pharmacological and cognitive therapies (although some countries refuse to recognise it).
I can't find a specific forum for you, but people are addicted to all kinds of stuff here, and the same mechanisms seem to apply - so here should be as good as any place.
Here is a link but I don't think it goes into much detail.
How to control shopping addiction
You probably know that shopping addiction usually occurs along with other addictions, and can be related to faulty brain chemistry, self-esteem problems and 'status' needs.
I don't know much, but google seems to have a lot of hits for 'shopping addiction' if you don't think you can get support here.
Good luck and best wishes anyway.
I can't find a specific forum for you, but people are addicted to all kinds of stuff here, and the same mechanisms seem to apply - so here should be as good as any place.
Here is a link but I don't think it goes into much detail.
How to control shopping addiction
You probably know that shopping addiction usually occurs along with other addictions, and can be related to faulty brain chemistry, self-esteem problems and 'status' needs.
I don't know much, but google seems to have a lot of hits for 'shopping addiction' if you don't think you can get support here.
Good luck and best wishes anyway.
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