Shopping increases during the Christmas season. Christmas is a time of excess and shopping is no exception. During the holidays, excessive consumption occurs: typical gifts are bought, as well as food for family celebrations… People are more predisposed to buy and spend more money than they normally would due to all the external stimuli they receive.
The Christmas atmosphere is designed to encourage shopping: shopping streets decorated with typical lights, retail advertising campaigns, commercials…. If you believe you may suffer from a compulsive shopping addiction or that these holidays will make you more vulnerable, at CCAdicciones we can offer you treatment.
Compulsive shopping addiction disorder
Consequences of shopping addiction
Compulsive shopping is a behavior that involves an absolute loss of control. The individual has a dependency on shopping. Having the need to shop constantly has effects on the addict’s life, as well as on their environment, among which we would highlight the following:
Financial problems. This is the most direct consequence of shopping addiction, as it increases the consumption of products.
- Spending excessive money on unnecessary products,
- Loss of family savings
- Taking out bank loans and falling into debt
- Taking any action to obtain money. Even stealing money or valuables from their own family.
Distress in the addict’s environment. Like any addiction, it affects the addict’s closest circle.
- Family, work, and social problems
- Withholding information from those who criticize their attitude and lying in order to go shopping
- Reduced efficiency and productivity at work
Behavioral alteration. It is a disease that modifies consumption habits and generates mental health problems.
- Constant desire to shop
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Mood swings. Highly euphoric states after shopping, but a sense of guilt and general malaise when realizing how much money has been spent,
Reasons for compulsive shopping
Compulsive shopping addiction is usually associated with other factors that have driven the person to take refuge in shopping and eventually develop this disorder. Common elements in shopping addicts include low self-esteem, generalized dissatisfaction, insecurity, and problems in daily life… They try to solve all these issues through shopping because when they shop, they escape from their reality. Thus, they feel good momentarily, but soon a sense of unease and a feeling of regret and guilt appear for having spent so much money without any consideration. It is important to seek help from professionals expert in non-substance addictions to control the act of compulsive shopping and to treat and resolve the emotional disorders linked to this addiction.
Treatment to stop compulsive shopping
The most effective solution to quit an addiction is to receive professional help. The compulsive shopper suffers from a non-substance addiction; therefore, medical detoxification is not necessary. The patient will undergo a therapeutic process of rehabilitation through therapies.
Protective measures, techniques to control emotions, and impulse management will be made available to the patient… It focuses on impulse control and emotion management to provide tools to the patient so they do not repeat this type of behavior in the future. People suffering from this disorder have a high risk of also suffering from a substance addiction disorder if they are not diagnosed or treated in time and correctly. Due to the consequences of compulsive shopping mentioned above, they may start using drugs to escape reality.
Addictions do not only affect the addict; their entire circle is affected. It is important to offer psychological help to their family, friends, or partner so they understand the addictive behavior of their loved one, as it is not always an easy task to understand or accept an addiction.
Phases of the recovery process
The moment of seeking help and going to a detox center to treat an addiction is a situation that can generate fear, uncertainty, and even distrust regarding whether the treatment will be effective. At CCAdicciones, we explain the 4 phases that are part of our recovery process for compulsive shopping addiction.
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Detoxification
This is the first phase of the entire process. To achieve detoxification from compulsive shopping addiction, medical detoxification is not necessary because it is a non-substance addiction. The entire process is carried out under medical supervision.
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Habituation Breaking
The rehabilitation process aims to generate a change in the patient’s perception regarding compulsive shopping. Helping them break with the negative routines and habits that shopping has generated in their behavior. This phase is based on cognitive-behavioral therapies, as they are the foundation of our treatment. Group and individual therapies, along with therapeutic activities, will be the tools that generate a change in the patient’s mindset to distance them from the addictive behavior of uncontrolled shopping.
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Rehabilitation
The purpose of rehabilitation is to evaluate the patient’s aptitudes, as they may have lost certain skills due to the compulsive shopping disease. Some physical and psychological capacities can be negatively affected and need to be recovered to lead as normal a life as possible.
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Reintegration
The final purpose of this phase is for the patient to gradually and organizedly resume their previous life. Reintegration takes place once the person returns to their environment. A medical team accompanies the patient at all times during the return to normal life so they are advised and have the support of professionals. The treatment itself ends here, but the patient remains in contact with the professionals. Additionally, their family will also receive therapy.
A way out of addiction
If you have a shopping addiction, at CCAdicciones we can help you. We have a medical team that will offer you treatment to stop compulsive shopping. The professionals at our centers will accompany you throughout the recovery process and provide the support you need, even after finishing the treatment.
Get in contact with us if you want to regain control of your life and overcome any addiction, with or without substances.
