In today’s society, consumption is heavily encouraged, and there always seems to be a reason why we must visit a store. We always find a great deal online or discounts appear that “cannot be refused.” Campaigns inviting us to buy are a constant in our lives and, after linking Christmas and the sales, the celebration of Valentine’s Day does not help those addicted to compulsive shopping.
Valentine’s Day, Yet Another Consumption Strategy
Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14th and is known as the day of lovers. Although it was not celebrated much in Spain years ago, it is currently a mass phenomenon, and companies mobilize with major marketing campaigns calling on you to consume and celebrate this day.
After so much advertising effort, for Valentine’s Day, the most important date is the one consumers have with the stores. It is a day that has been given more relevance in recent years, and everything invites you to buy a gift for a partner or loved one. In other words, a kind of social pressure to give something has been created out of nowhere, which means that stores or e-commerce businesses benefit greatly from it. Obviously, this social pressure does not reach everyone, but there are people who can feel it. What large brands and those in charge of these campaigns surely do not take into account is that there are people addicted to compulsive shopping and that this insistence from the consumer society to encourage you to jump into buying does not help them in any way.
Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Christmas, sales… and now Valentine’s Day arrives. The system squeezes its opportunities to the maximum, and the calls to consume are constant. That is why people who have problems with shopping or who directly suffer from this disease receive no help from the outside. All the inputs we receive invite us to buy, and when one thing is not being celebrated, another is. That is why it is important to think carefully about what we want and try to maintain responsible consumption.
Oniomania: Shopping Addiction
Addiction to compulsive shopping is also known as oniomania, and people suffering from this addiction have a disease. Addictions do not always have to be due to a drug; there are behavioral addictions that are behavioral disorders. And a behavioral addiction such as compulsive shopping must be treated in order to leave it behind.
It is crucial to know how to detect the symptoms of this addiction because treating it in time can be very beneficial due to everything it can entail. In addition to knowing the consequences that shopping addiction can bring, it is fundamental to know why this addiction may arise. Well, there tend to be several common reasons among people suffering from this disease. For example, psychological problems, great insecurities, low self-esteem, or personal day-to-day issues that generate strong dissatisfaction and are sought to be covered up through shopping. In other words, the intention is to avoid or cover up the problems the person is carrying by escaping from reality. Something that, evidently, usually ends badly. Furthermore, going out to shop to alleviate this dissatisfaction causes the person to be invaded shortly after by a feeling of regret for the expenditure made.
Beyond the fact that when there is an addiction it must be treated by professionals, responsible consumption is always recommended. This will help us stay away from these types of addictions and maintain good shopping habits.
Negative Effects of Compulsive Shopping Addiction
Like any other addiction, this disease has serious consequences regarding health, but also in the economic and social spheres. These are some of the negative effects derived from this addiction:
Health problems
- Anxiety and a constant feeling of dissatisfaction
- Sleep reconciliation problems
- Loss of control
- Depression
Financial problems
- Unnecessary consumption
- Loss of money and savings
- Indebtedness
- Stealing money
- Financial ruin
Social problems
- Social isolation
- Conflicts with family and friends
- Relationship breakdown
- Manipulation or lies to obtain money
- Reduced productivity at work
- Need to shop at many moments
Can I leave a behavioral addiction behind?
When we talk about addictions, we usually think of drug addictions, or many people think that addiction is only understood as being hooked on the consumption of a drug. However, addictions do not have to be related to the use of narcotics. As we mentioned, behavioral addictions are disorders that lead people to repeat certain risky behaviors, and therefore specialized treatment will be required to achieve recovery.
These are some of the most serious behavioral addictions that we treat at CCAdicciones: gambling addiction, addiction to new technologies (video games, social networks…), sex addiction, or compulsive shopping.
Addiction Treatments
At CCAdicciones, we want to offer people comprehensive care and services that address all the needs a patient may have. To offer the best care, with the best professionals and with the goal of recovery.
For this reason, in addition to behavioral addictions, we are specialists in the treatment of drug addictions. These are some of the treatments in which we specialize: Alcoholism, cocaine, cannabis, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, ketamine, or addiction to new drugs. In our detox centers, we perform both group and individual therapies to provide comfortable spaces, understand cases in depth, and work with each person in an individualized manner.
Regarding problems stemming from drugs and other difficulties that may arise due to the use of narcotics, at CCAdicciones we can take care of helping you. Whatever addiction you suffer from, the best decision will always be to go to a detox center to receive treatment.
There is Always Hope
At CCAdicciones, we are driven by the hope that there is always a way out. We want to convey this to the addict so that they believe in their recovery and their will is to find a way out of their situation. With the help of our professionals, you will be closer to detoxification. Although it is a long road, we want to support and accompany you at all times. Because there is always hope, there is always a way out.
