Dealing with Your Friend’s Shopping Addiction
Studies have revealed that approximately 1 out of 20 people is addicted to shopping, and that 9 out of 10 of these addicts are women. This drastic increase in the number of people who are addicted to shopping is due to the fact that we are living in the 21st century, where it is a consumer society with more goods available in the market than ever before.
Understanding the cause of your friend’s addiction
If your friend is addicted to shopping, it means that he or she has a compulsive need to go out and shop, even when he or she does not need anything. Just like an alcoholic craves alcohol, a shopping addict (or “shopaholic”) craves the excitement and enjoyment of shopping on a very frequent basis. Many believe that this desire and urge to shop could be caused by low self-esteem. Perhaps your friend feels that shopping makes him or her a greater person because he or she is capable not only of spending, but also of reinventing him or herself with each new purchase that he or she makes. Another possible cause of shopping addiction is the need to escape from troubles in life. Many shopaholics claim that shopping provides a temporary escape from their problems in life.
Dealing with a friend who has shopping addiction
As much of an escape it may be to go shopping, it unfortunately has its downfall. Most shoppers enjoy the “high” that they get when they are shopping, but immediately fall into the pit of guilt after they realize how much money they have spent. Dealing with a friend who has shopping addiction means reaching out to him or her by expressing your concern for their expenses. Remember that you can always point out how much he or she has already spent, but do not make your friend feel as though you are saying that he or she is a criminal. Simply make your friend be aware of the fact that his or her shopping addiction is something that you are worried about because of your sincere and genuine care for him or her.
How to handle credit card debt as a result of this addiction
Because many shopaholics eventually find themselves stuck with the dilemma of credit card debt, you must really let your friend know that he or she needs to cut down on his or her spending. Usually, when a shopaholic is told that his or her friend is truly concerned about his or her well-being, he or she will try to decrease the spending. Ask him or her to have a garage sale, or maybe sell some of his or her goods on E-Bay. By doing so, the
shopaholic will be too busy making money that he or she will be too distracted to go shopping again. After selling some of his or her things, he or she will slowly be able to pay his or her credit card debt.
What to do to avoid future temptations
To avoid future shopping temptations, ask your friend to constantly ask him or herself if he or she actually needs something before buying it. There are also organizations and support groups that can help your friend get over his or her shopping addiction.
Photo Credit : Paul Keleher
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