Shopping, just like food addiction, may be a hard concept for people to grasp because it’s something we all do every day. Comparatively, substance abuse issues are easy to identify because it’s not “normal” for people to use these substances daily. In addition, when someone does indulge in a substance of abuse too heavily, it becomes apparent in their behavior while shoppers can shop as much as they want without alerting the casual observer that something is wrong.

Also, shops are everywhere on the ride home from work or school, and many of these shops must be used for essential grocery and clothing items. This creates a problem in controlling spending for someone with a compulsive buying problem because you still need to shop occasionally – just as a food addict still needs to eat. These addictions of excess can be frustrating because abstinence is not an option.

Is Excessive Shopping a Diagnosable Condition?

Not only is compulsive shopping a legitimate diagnosis, it even has its own medical name: oniomania or compulsive buying disorder (CBD). Although the concept may still be the butt of jokes, the disorder is not a laughing matter because the consequences can be as damaging as drugs, alcohol, gambling or eating disorders. Compulsive shoppers are constantly preoccupied with spending money and shopping. They are not capable of browsing through stores; instead, they consistently purchase unnecessary items in a compulsive manner.

The following is known about the issue of addiction to shopping:

• Shopping is used to control an individual’s mood of anger, sadness or fear.
• Roughly 5.8 percent of individuals in the US will suffer from CBD in their lifetime.
• Approximately 80 percent of people diagnosed with CBD are women.
• CBD runs in families. These families usually also have mood and/or substance abuse disorders in them.

The Risks Associated With Compulsive Shopping

There are a number of negative effects on an individual’s relationships, career, emotions and finances from CBD. These issues include:

• Debt from shopping causes major distress in a person’s life.
• So much time is spent shopping that little time is left to nurture interpersonal relationships.
• Lying about purchases may cause marital issues.
• Depression and anxiety from excessive purchases may affect performance at work or school.
• A vicious and exhausting cycle of happiness and guilt drive CBD behavior.
• Often such an overwhelming debt is accumulated that a drastic change in lifestyle becomes necessary.

If you or someone you love struggles with compulsive shopping behaviors, contact us. We can help you find an appropriate treatment program that will fit your individual needs. Don’t spend one more day slipping further into frustration and debt. Pick up the phone and put an end to the stress today.