Transfered addictions

slimmy120 · February 10, 2009

Am at goal, but now have become a compulsive shopper, not just clothes,shoes,anythinh help. I live in australia - Perth, have logged on under different sites to read and get advice, i was going to go to a doctor and get a refferal to a phsyc. I am in major major debt, and keep borrowing money --- need to pay bills but shop,shop,shop,mainly cheap shops and opshops, but heck i must have 60 times more clothes etc than anyone,watched oprah the other day, no i am not quiet as bad, but want to stop before i get there.help.:thumbdown:

Melissa Anne · February 10, 2009

I can totally relate - if it's not food, it's cigarettes, spending money, sex, drugs, alcohol etc. It's a disease and it's not your fault. You can cure it. I'm not sure what's available in Australia, but I would look for a 12 step group - they have a Debtors Anonymous (DA) or even Overeaters Anonymous (OA). I promise you the programs work if you work them: Debtors Anonymous

Good luck to you - and don't forget to ask God for help.

aubrie · February 10, 2009

Recognition of the problem is more than half the battle!!

slimmy120 · February 11, 2009

Thank you,and yes I pray to god get through it, and check and read literature by other 12 steps organisations.

stevegoad · February 11, 2009

I'm going to be cold hearted here...

STOP IT.

It is not an addiction. There are no physical things causing you to need to shop. You are doing it because you want to. If it is getting in the way of your life, then get back into the real world and get your priorities straight.

But that said, of course we all know what it is like to make the wrong choices, and to enjoy making them (that is how many of us got fat to begin with).

So give yourself special permission to say NO. If our kids want something that is not in their best interst, we can say no... why can't we say no to ourselves.

Sorry to be so blunt... but if you are buying clothes and can't pay your bills... then stop it and get your priorities straight. What good are clothes if you don't have a closet to hang them in.

End of reality check.

slimmy120 · February 11, 2009

That is exactly what i needed, some one to set me straight, will copy this message and put in my wallet!!!!

I'm going to be cold hearted here...
STOP IT.

It is not an addiction. There are no physical things causing you to need to shop. You are doing it because you want to. If it is getting in the way of your life, then get back into the real world and get your priorities straight.

But that said, of course we all know what it is like to make the wrong choices, and to enjoy making them (that is how many of us got fat to begin with).

So give yourself special permission to say NO. If our kids want something that is not in their best interst, we can say no... why can't we say no to ourselves.

Sorry to be so blunt... but if you are buying clothes and can't pay your bills... then stop it and get your priorities straight. What good are clothes if you don't have a closet to hang them in.

End of reality check.