Addiction Addictive Behaviors Shopping Self-Help Groups for Shopping Addiction By Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD is a psychologist, professor, and Director of the Centre for Health Leadership and Research at Royal Roads University, Canada. Learn about our editorial process Updated on September 07, 2021 Medically reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW Medically reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW on May 28, 2020 Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Amy Morin, LCSW, is the Editor-in-Chief of Verywell Mind. She's also a psychotherapist, the author of the bestselling book "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," and the host of The Verywell Mind Podcast. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Self-help groups can be a helpful resource if you have a shopping addiction. Surrounding yourself with a community of people who have shared the same or similar experiences can be extremely beneficial. Like most problems in life, it can help to talk to others who know exactly what you’re dealing with because they’ve been there, too. If you're a compulsive shopper, through support group work, you can gain a new perspective on your addiction. This article discusses some of the signs of a shopping addiction and some of the reasons why you might find a self-help group beneficial. It also covers some of the best shopping addiction support groups that are available both online and offline. Signs of Shopping Addiction Everyone overspends now and again, but around 5% of the U.S. population is thought to engage in compulsive buying behavior. The disorder typically begins in the late teens or early adulthood. It often co-occurs with other disorders, including mood and anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, eating disorders, other impulse control disorders, and personality disorders. If you’re wondering whether you or a loved one’s shopping is out of hand, start by determining if these characteristics apply. Buy things you don’t need even though you can't afford themEngage in binge shoppingExperience a strong urge to buyFeel disappointment, stress, and guilt after shoppingHide purchases for fear others will think what you’ve bought is irrationalRespond to direct mail offersSpend all or part of any money you haveUse “retail therapy” to deal with stress If the majority of these characteristics apply, you or your loved one may have a compulsive buying disorder. If you or a loved one are struggling with a shopping addiction, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Reasons to Try a Self-Help Group A self-help group for shopping addiction can help people gain insight into their addiction. Here's an overview of some of the other benefits of joining a group. Identify and sidestep emotional triggers Develop a network of nonjudgemental people Avoid feeling isolated or helplessTalk openly about your experiences and feelingsRelieve stress, anxiety, and depressionGain a better understand addiction as a disease Find resources for treatment Here, we take a look at the variety of self-help groups for people grappling with compulsive buying disorder, as well as for their families and friends. Whether you prefer to join an online support group or supplement the support you get at in-person meetings with online meetings, find one that's right for you. 1 Debtors Anonymous David Sacks / Getty Images Debtors Anonymous was first started in 1968 when a group of recovering members from Alcoholics Anonymous began discussing their financial problems. According to its website, "its purpose is threefold: to stop incurring unsecured debt, to share our experience with the newcomer, and to reach out to other debtors." Today, the group has more than 500 registered meetings in more than 15 countries worldwide, where you can share your struggles and help others who are overcoming overspending. 2 Spenders Anonymous Spenders Anonymous is a 12-step group based on the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous; however, there is no organizational affiliation between the two groups. Spenders Anonymous strives to help shopping addicts stop spending compulsively, take responsibility for their money, and spread the message of recovery to other compulsive spenders. The only requirement for membership is "a desire to stop spending time, money, energy and our very selves beyond all reason," according to its website. 3 Stopping Overshopping Stopping Overshopping was founded by April Lane Benson, Ph.D., a nationally known psychologist who specializes in the treatment of compulsive buying disorder. an online program designed to help people overcome their shopping addiction and take control of compulsive buying behavior. Services include a self-help program, private coaching, and group coaching. The program utilizes a variety of tools including coaching sessions with trained therapists, journals, videos, audio recordings, and an app to help people control buying behavior when an urge strikes. 4 Shopping Addiction Support Group Shopping Addiction Support Group is an online support group with nearly 30,000 members where you can post about whatever you're dealing with and get sympathy and advice. In order to get started with the group, you will need to submit a request to join after creating a user account. In order to create an account, you should start by creating a username and password and submitting an email address that will allow you to verify your account. Summary Shopping addiction is considered a type of behavioral addiction, but it is not recognized as a distinct disorder in the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" (DSM-5). It is also referred to as compulsive spending or compulsive buying and is characterized by symptoms such as strong urges to buy, binge spending, feelings of guilt, and hiding purchases. Treatment can be helpful, as can support groups that are designed to offer resources, encouragement, and sympathy. A Word From Verywell Shopping addiction can have a serious impact on your life and finances. If you think you might be struggling with compulsive spending, talk to a doctor or mental health professional. Psychotherapy, support groups, and medications can be helpful for taking control of your spending and managing your urge to shop. The 9 Best Online Therapy Programs We've tried, tested and written unbiased reviews of the best online therapy programs including Talkspace, Betterhelp, and Regain. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 3 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Maraz A, Griffiths MD, Demetrovics Z. The prevalence of compulsive buying: a meta-analysis. Addiction. 2016;111(3):408-19. doi:10.1111/add.13223 Müller A, Mitchell JE, de Zwaan M. Compulsive buying. Am J Addict. 2015;24(2):132-137. doi:10.1111/ajad.12111. PMID: 25864601 American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. Washington, DC; 2013. Additional Reading Spenders Anonymous. Updated January 2014. Müller A, Mitchell JE, de Zwaan M. Compulsive Buying. The American Journal on Addictions. March 2015;24(2):132–137. doi:10.1111/ajad.12111 Speak to a Therapist for Addiction Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.