Shopping Addiction: A Serious Problem

Michelle Miller: 13 Million U.S. Adults Are Compulsive Shoppers, But There's Help

(CBS)  There are fifteen days left before Christmas, and the forecast is for two weeks of non-stop buying. Most shoppers will know when to stop, but as CBS News correspondent Michelle Miller found, others need help.

“It took a long time for any of us to realize that it was a serious problem, it was an addiction, it was something that I no longer had control of,” said Gagner.

She’s not talking about cocaine, or heroine or alcohol. She is talking about shopping.

“To me I guess it was like taking a drink, it just calmed me down, it soothed me and I felt ok,” she said.

Gagner says she used to enjoy shopping, but for the last six years, it's become a compulsion. She’s packed her closets and even her attic with the results of hundreds of trips to the mall, to the tune of $200,000.

“I went into a clothing store I’d never been to before, decided I was going to buy one piece, walked out with six. Cost me almost a thousand dollars,” she said.

Her habit has jeopardized her financial future, and her relationship with her husband.

“We have emptied out IRAs, stock options, 401ks, all gone, due to my shopping,” she said.

While many of us are able to call shopping "retail therapy," for some 13 million American adults, shopping can become an addiction that requires therapy.

“It's still considered the smiled upon addiction, despite the fact that there are suicides that have been linked to this,” said psychologist April Benson.

Compulsive shopping is not a recognized medical disorder, but many mental health professionals, like Benson, believe it should be.

“It's sometimes a source of greater shame and denial than alcoholism or drug addiction because those are thought of as ‘real diseases,’” said Benson.

As a result, there are very few programs designed to help compulsive shoppers. Gagner finally found one after she went on a shopping "bender" this fall.

“In a matter of a couple of hours, I had spent probably close to $5,000 or $6,000, easy,” she said.

Gagner just spent 30 days at a residential center at Wekiva Springs, Fla., dealing with her addiction. One exercise involved learning to shop responsibly.

Back at home, gagner will not be allowed to have a credit card, a checking account, or even a computer. And she can only enter stores after making very specific lists, and with her husband at her side.

“I'll never forget what I did. But I've started to forgive myself for what I have done,” says Gagner.

And deal with her addiction one day at a time.

Some Web sites offering help for compulsive shoppers are:

www.stoppingovershopping.com/

http://www.wekivacenter.com/

http://www.myselfhelp.com

http://www.shopaholicsanonymous.org/

[sherian-2009]

Seeing some of the comments here goes to show how the shame of this addiction gets fed. Those of us that have this very real disease get blamed and judged instead of sympathy (understanding that it is a real disease). Would you tell a cancer victim "you should have not smoked??" No one feels worse for our actions than we do. If you can not understand why we act as we do, then imagine the horror to us of what we do and knowing we can't stop. It truly is a living hell.

I applaud Amy for being so brave to step out for this story. I know where she is coming from. She is hoping there can be some sort of good come out of her experience by sharing her 'secret' with the rest of us that may be in denial. It is hard to ask for help when you know the world will judge you and beat you up for it. I did not see this segment but from what I read here I know there is more to the story than it reads... there is always more to the story of what drives this addiction.
I would not wish it on my worst enemy.

[esullen1]

This story is a true addiction. I feel she has true remorse for what she has done to herself and her family. It is just like an alcoholic or a drug addict she knows she has affected her family. Everyone is quick to judge her for spending too much money. Do we ever judge an alcoholic or drug addict for using too much. Her way of dealing with stress and emotions is spending. I give her applause for being brave and telling her story to open the world up to this very serious addiction.

[angelface57]

Sounds to me like the husband has just as much of a problem as the wife. I'd say they didn't wipe out their future (empty investment account) in one fell swoop to pay for her addiction - it probably happened several times over the course of the last few years. He should have taken action the first time they got in trouble - and absolutely after the second. He needs to be in counseling as much as her.

[grumpas]

I have known a person before who was a complusive shopper! To my knowledge she still is! She is as bad as any alcholic or drug addict! She would even steal to support her addiction so I haven't associated with her for years! She buys things she doesn't want and has to give away to other people! My daughter sold Avon at one time and she was one of her best customer's! She would buy 2 and 3 hundred dollars at a time of useless items! A person like this needs professional help, it's like any other illness! To my knowledge she still shops the Home Shopping Network. I don't know if she ever got in under control! But, I don't see how she possibly could without help!

[hermit22]

SHE is still lying to herself....it is NOT "we" emptied out the accounts....it is SHE did it.

Its a wonder her husband didn't give her a black eye to match her new purse and shoes....(I really don't believe in hitting people, but this woman might get me there!)

Did she do any WORK?

Does she HATE her husband? Is this her method to drive him to an early grave? Is she so selfish?Did she spend it all on HERSELF? gives me the shudders! Is her husband a total COLD FISH?