Shopping Addiction, detox and recovery

Shopping addiction, detox, rehab. Four heavy words for a very serious problem.

Can you get treatment for shopping addiction? Yes.

Is shopping addiction a thing? Yes

It is unusual? Not really, No.

Addiction is addiction. It matters not what it is you are addicted to as the causes and effects (as well as the recovery process) is the same.

Shopping Addiction Detox Rehab: What is shopping addiction?

Unless you live in a palace and have servants, you are going to need to purchase items: food to eat, items for the house. Anything from vacuum cleaner bags to a 100 inch television.

Some people may go on a splurge in the boxing day sales and/or a “pay day” treat. Shopping addiction is

Shopping addiction is where you simply can not control your desire to buy things, regardless of whether you can actually afford them.

Things you don’t need, items you can not afford. Even though you are getting debt letters and are avoiding bailiffs, you can’t help yourself.

This has nothing to do with willpower but everything to do with science.

Strained relationships, mortgage arrears, being evicted because you didn’t pay the rent: None of these things will make any difference. Your need to feed your addiction will override anything else.

Shopping Addiction Detox Rehab: Isn’t It Just a Fad?

No.

It is a behavioural condition where you have an uncontrollable urge to shop.

Shopping addiction isn’t just a deep rooted psychological desire to feel a high when you make a purchase. It is far more complex.

People who suffer with shopping addiction experience intrusive thoughts. They simply can not help buying things.

You will experience intrusive thoughts and an overriding urge to make purchases. A tin of beans or a designer handbag. It isn’t always about what the item is but merely that you scratch an itch.

It is not the same as going on a shopping spree, but the result will be a causes a vicious circle of mood fluctuations. Initially, you will experience intense euphoria when you buy something. Problem is, your mood will crash and the overwhelming guilt, crippling anxiety and extreme frustration will cripple you.

Different forms of shopping addiction

It isn’t just about going to a department store or being glued to an internet shopping site.

Sometimes it can be a planned purchase, even though the purchase, itself, is unnecessary.

Shopping for bargains can become part of the problem. The thrill of the purchase becomes far more powerful than the need for the item.

Often people go “trophy shopping” where they desire an item they see as being connected with high status such as a designer handbag or sports car.

It is more common in women, than in men.

Shopping Addiction Detox Rehab: Risk factors and causes

Addiction is addiction.

It matters not what you are addicted to, the causes are the same. There are always more than one factor in play:

Psychological factors: When someone has severe anxiety, crippling low self esteem and heightened emotional distress shopping can be a quick fix. An instant boost of feel good chemicals released by the brain. This just makes the cycle worse.

Socioeconomic status: If you have money, you can spend it. If you have the earning potential, you can borrow it. Spending on credit cards makes the problem worse. When you get your bill and realise you can not pay your anxiety and guilt will spike. How do you make yourself feel better? You buy something and experience a rush.

Environmental and cultural influences: If you don’t have access to money (or the ability to borrow it with credit cards) you will be less at risk. Advertisers target those who they think can afford their products. They use very sophisticated marketing techniques. Grief, loss, the ending of a relationship: All factors that can lead to shopping compulsion. You seek comfort, not in a bottle or from a drug dealer but from shopping.

Genetics: There may well be a history in the family of mental health conditions, addiction, mood disorders and compulsive behaviour. This may mean you are at more risk than others.

Dual Diagnosis: Very often, people with shopping addiction will also experience other problems. Most noticeably Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), binge eating disorder and drug addiction. There will be common issues underlying the addiction. Shopping addiction could be the coping mechanism for dealing with the other addiction or the other way around.

Shopping Addiction and Brain Chemistry

People with shopping addiction do it because it makes them feel good. Right? No. Well, not exactly.

When you shop you trigger the release of Dopamine, a naturally occurring feel good chemical. If you keep activating it’s release, the brain will change the way it works to accommodate the constant release.

The problem is that , in time, your brain will develop a state known as tolerance. This means you will need more and more of the chemical to have the effect you experienced the first time you did it.

This means you will have to buy more and more things in order to feel pleasure. This only perpetuates the cycle.

How Common is Shopping Addiction?

Also known as compulsive buying disorder, shopping addiction affects nearly 5% of the population.

It is higher among university students, rising to over 8%. Those who respond to the aggressive marketing techniques of advertise become a very large cohort with over 16% having a problem.

The symptoms of shopping addiction

As with other addictions, the symptoms are varied.

Some will be emotional, others psychological.

It will cause mood swings, override your ability to complete everyday tasks. It will distract you to a degree where you can put your self at serious risk of financial ruin.

Shopping will become an emotional crutch. Anything that upsets you will be countered with a purchase.

If you feel stressed, anxious, depressed buying something will alleviate it: But not for long. Soon, you will crash and the cycle repeats itself.

Shopping Addiction Detox Rehab :Recovery From Shopping Addiction

Recovery is possible.

As with any addiction, it requires four elements:

• Detox
• Therapy
• Relapse prevention
• Aftercare

Detox

Without a detox your brain will not respond to therapy. Just in the same way that someone who is an alcoholic won’t respond to therapy if they are still drinking. Why? Because you are still causing the same abnormal brain chemistry to release Dopamine.

There is no medication for shopping addiction. However, a short course of adjunctive medication may be needed to help you through the initial stages of recovery.

When you enter rehab you will not be able to have unsupervised access to devices so you can not purchase items. This sudden cessation will see your anxiety spike. Your mood may crash, temporarily. Some medication to help you through can be very useful.

Therapy

Through both individual and group therapy, are the cornerstone of every rehab centre: The world over.

12 STEP, SMART or eclectic. It really doesn’t matter which model is used. You do not need to be religious or believe in God. All you need is a belief in the process.

The person to your left could be having problems with heroin, the person to your right: gambling. It is all the same.

No one decides to be an addict. It is not a choice. It is a result of trying to escape the harsh realities of life.

The therapy sessions will be full of laughter, silence, tears and hope. Everyone is there for one reason: recovery.

Adjunctive therapies

Cognitive behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing, family therapy and financial counselling are all useful adjuncts with shopping addiction.

Many centres are able to provide a therapist, for an additional fee, to continue individual sessions after you complete your residential programme.

Group sessions remain at the core of recovery.

Aftercare

Just because you are now back at home doesn’t mean you are on your own.

Every centre provides a weekly aftercare group. If you live close by, you can attend in person or via video link ,if necessary.

The re will be regular telephone check in, by agreement.

If you are struggling, there will be a number to call for help.

Free, independent and Confidential Advice From an Experienced Addictions Clinician

You can call and speak to an experienced addictions clinician for free, independent and impartial advice.

We can tell you what you need, and what you don’t.

Organic tea from the outer reaches of Tibet , yoga with a miniature Goat while having shakra realignment?

Completely unnecessary and expensive.

Our service is registered with the Information Commissioners Office.

We only signpost to legally registered centres.

Shopping addiction detox rehab. Four words that don’t have to be scary.