Behavioral Addiction

Shopping Addiction

What is a shopping addiction?

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While it may sound slightly silly to some, a shopping addiction can become a serious problem. According to Van Wormer and Davis, shopping addiction comes from the urge to spend money, and to find extremely good sales (2008). Those who suffer from a shopping addiction seek to obtain material items for close to no money (Van Wormer & Davis, 2008). Those who suffer from a shopping addiction suffer from a lack of impulse control (Van Wormer & Davis, 2008). The individual may not need any of the material items they buy, but simply cannot help themselves. The problem lies in the lack of control over the buying of the items, rather than the actual items themselves (Van Wormer & Davis, 2008).


Criteria
At what point does a person who likes to shop a lot turn into someone with an actual shopping addiction? According to Van Wormer & Davis, an individual suffering from a shopping addiction experiences a temporary high from the process of shopping and snagging good deals (2008). This euphoria is what separates regular shoppers from compulsive shoppers. Mental health professionals state that the euphoria experienced by compulsive shoppers is actually similar to a drug-like high (Van Wormer & Davis, 2008). When an individual begins to experience this type of euphoria when shopping, and therefore craves that feeling, a shopping addiction is born (Van Wormer & Davis, 2008). However, the DSM-IV-TR does not currently contain criteria concerning shopping addiction (Van Wormer & Davis, 2008).


Statistics

• Between 2% and 8% of people in the United States suffer from a shopping addiction (Van Wormer & Davis, 2008).
• The typical compulsive shopper is a 31 year-old female, who has multiple credit cards, usually bounces checks, and has spent multiple years overspending (Van Wormer & Davis, 2008).

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Treatment Options

Dr. Donald Black at the University of Iowa has been conducting studies to determine possible successful drugs in reducing and even eliminating shopping addictions (Van Wormer & Davis, 2008). He found that the drug Luvox was actually successful (Van Wormer & Davis, 2008). After taking Luvox, individuals who were compulsive shoppers were actually able to enter a store and not buy anything (Van Wormer & Davis, 2008). Behavioral therapy has also shown positive effects, as has the use of support groups such as Debtor's Anonymous (Van Wormer & Davis, 2008). This group helps individuals to create budgets they can stick to, and to work out a payment plan in order to eliminate their debt (Van Wormer & Davis, 2008).

References

Van Wormer, K. & Davis, D. R. (2008). Addiction treatment: A strengths perspective. California: Brooks/Cole