This page covers the definitions of shopping addiction and compulsive shopping, as well as the support and resources available to you.
What is shopping addiction?
Similar to compulsive buying disorder (oniomania), shopping addiction is an addictive behaviour defined by compulsive and excessive purchasing. This includes both in-person and online shopping.
Compulsive shopping is characterised by a lack of impulse control when viewing and buying products. Shopping excessively to avoid negative emotions, but feeling unable to stop, indicates a shopping addiction.
Spending significant time and money on shopping can be detrimental to your emotional wellbeing and personal relationships. The short-term and long-term risks of shopping addiction include, but are not limited to:
- Depression and anxiety.
- Financial issues such as debt and bankruptcy.
- Poor academic or work performance.
- Legal issues.
- Neglecting personal responsibilities and self-care.
- Feeling isolated from friends and family.
- Increased risk of suicide.
Resources and support
If you are experiencing problems relating to shopping addiction, or know someone who is, please remember that you are not alone. You can access free and confidential support at UCL as a registered student. Our empathetic team can support you to find the best treatment method for your needs.
There are also a number of services and websites that can help you better understand and cope with shopping addiction.
- Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous
Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous is a peer-led fellowship. The organisation host regular group meetings in local communities to support recovery from internet addiction disorder, social media addiction, gaming addiction, pornography addiction and online shopping addiction.
Read this comprehensive ITAA article on recovering from online shopping addiction.
You can join an ITAA online meeting or an in-person local support group using the search tool.
You can email the organisation at helpline@gaais.org.
- Mind
Mind is a mental health charity in England and Wales offering advice and information on mental health disorders.
The charity has a dedicated webpage on spending addiction, including a real life case study and recovery story.
- Rehab 4 Addiction
Rehab 4 Addiction is an advisory and referral service for people who suffer from alcohol, drug and behavioural addiction.
Rehab 4 Addiction works closely with rehabilitation centres and outpatient clinics throughout the United Kingdom, and the admissions team matches a patients’ addiction with an appropriately placed rehabilitation centre. They offer rehabilitation centres patient referrals and always prioritise the needs of the specific patient when doing so. They maintain a substantial network of rehabilitation centres throughout the United Kingdom, including private rehabilitation centres and the NHS.
You can call Rehab 4 Addiction to make an enquiry on +44 (0)800 140 4690.
- UK SMART Recovery
UK SMART Recovery is a charity offering Self-Help Addiction Recovery Programmes for drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, gambling, food, shopping, internet and more.
The four-point programme is designed to help participants:
- Build and maintain motivation.
- Cope with urges.
- Manage thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
- Live a balanced life.
You can use the search tool to find an in-person meeting in your local area or an online meeting.