Last Updated:

May 16th, 2025

Shopping Addiction | Symptoms, Effects and Causes

While many of us enjoy the occasional shopping spree, for some, what starts as “retail therapy” can escalate into a full-blown shopping addiction. With the convenience of online shopping, this issue is on the rise, now affecting an estimated 16% of people in the UK. Shopping addiction is not taken as seriously as other addictions with sufferers labelled as just “shopaholics”. But shopping addiction is not just about spending money, it is a recognised health condition which can affect your emotional well-being, health and overall future. However, recognising shopping addiction signs and symptoms and knowing where to get help can protect you from the most serious risks.

Shopping-Addiction-Shopping-Bags

What is shopping addiction?

Also known as compulsive buying disorder or oniomania, shopping addiction occurs when the desire to shop becomes an uncontrollable urge even when it causes financial or personal problems. Shopping addiction can lead to significant debt and secretive behaviours as you feel compelled to hide your shopping habits from your loved ones.

Between 8% and 16% of people in the UK are estimated to have a shopping addiction. Women make up as much as 90% of this group, likely influenced by societal expectations and aggressive marketing tactics. The convenience of internet shopping has only exacerbated this issue, with 30.7% of all retail purchases being made online in 2023.

How does shopping addiction develop?

Just like substance addictions, shopping addiction can create brief, intense moments of happiness that feel similar to a drug-induced high. This rush comes right after a purchase but quickly fades, leaving behind feelings of guilt and dissatisfaction and often anxiety about the money spent.

After the initial regret and panic wear off, intense cravings to shop return, driving you back to the stores or online marketplaces. This repetitive cycle fails to address the real issues at the heart of shopping addiction, instead leading to repeated instances of financial strain and damaged relationships. Each cycle of buying and regret reinforces the addiction and trying to stop shopping can even bring on reactions that are similar to symptoms of substance withdrawal. These include:

  • Anxiety or depression when you are unable to shop
  • Unexplained mood swings or irritation
  • Difficulty concentrating on anything besides shopping

Spotting the signs of shopping addiction

Like any addiction, the sooner you spot shopping addiction symptoms, the better your chances of managing it effectively. If you find yourself worried about your buying behaviour, look out for these warning signs of shopping addiction:

  • Relying increasingly on shopping to lift your spirits when you are depressed, stressed or anxious.
  • Sneaking shopping bags into the house or hiding receipts to avoid discussions about your spending.
  • Incurring financial issues such as maxed-out credit cards, rapidly depleting savings or accumulating debts due to shopping.
  • Escalating conflicts with loved ones over your shopping behaviour.
  • Continuing to shop compulsively even when you realise it’s causing problems in your life.

Professional shopping addiction support can make a huge difference in a successful recovery. If you notice these signs of shopping addiction, seek help right away.

What causes shopping addiction?

Shopping addiction stems from a tangled web of emotional voids, societal influences and even hereditary predispositions. It is usually a mix of these factors which transforms what is a harmless activity for most into a compulsive and dangerous behavioural addiction:

 

Inherited risks

Genetic makeup plays a crucial role in how susceptibilities to addictions are formed, including shopping. If addiction is a common thread in your family history, your brain structure and chemistry might predispose you to similar patterns.

Chronic stress

In times of stress, shopping can seem like a welcome distraction from life’s demands. However, using retail therapy as a regular escape can lay the groundwork for a shopping addiction, particularly if stress is a continual backdrop in your life.

Keeping up with the Joneses

In today’s materialistic society, physical possessions often measure status and success. This can be a significant driving force behind the development of shopping addiction as you might feel pressured to buy new things constantly to fit in.

 

Shopping for self-esteem

For some people, buying clothes, makeup or luxury goods can be a short-lived remedy to feelings of low self-esteem. However, the temporary confidence gained from these new items soon dissipates, leaving the deeper issues of low self-esteem unaddressed and often worsened over time.

Targeted marketing

Companies use sophisticated marketing strategies to create a sense of need for their products. The constant stream of ads and personalised online shopping suggestions can overwhelm consumers, pushing them to buy things they don’t really need. Eventually, this can lead to compulsive shopping behaviours.

Mental health struggles

For those dealing with mental health challenges, shopping can momentarily mask the distress. This relief is all too often short-lived, however, and the cycle of purchasing to alleviate pain can lead to worsening feelings of despair and emptiness after the thrill of the buy wears off.

The potential harms of shopping addiction

At first glance, shopping addiction might appear as just a minor issue but it has the potential to escalate and wreak havoc on your life. Here are some of the most worrying potential harms:

Financial fallout

Shopping addiction’s financial repercussions are immediate and severe. Excessive spending can lead to enormous debts as you struggle to sustain your purchasing habits, draining your savings and pushing you towards financial insolvency. This financial burden can become so severe that it leads to bankruptcy, jeopardising your daily life and potentially leaving you homeless.

Relationship damage

The single-minded focus on shopping due to addiction can greatly impact your most important relationships. As the financial implications mount, your loved ones may find themselves at a loss, unable to understand your actions. This often results in frequent arguments about money, which can push relationships to the breaking point, leading to breakups or divorce.

Health problems

Shopping addiction can also massively harm your health. The relentless stress and anxiety from managing debt and navigating troubled relationships can lead to physical health issues, including headaches, high blood pressure and stomach problems. On an emotional level, the erratic highs and lows of addiction can sink you into depression, heighten anxiety and engulf you in perpetual guilt.

shopping-addiction-person-buying-online

How to stop a shopping addiction?

Recovery from shopping addiction often begins with a strict period of total detox. During this time, you abstain from shopping and steer clear of situations that might tempt you back into old habits. Much like the withdrawal process for substance abuse, this can trigger anxiety, stress and even physical problems, which could cause you to relapse.

Success during this challenging time can rely heavily on the support and expertise provided by a specialised behavioural addiction rehab programme. While the NHS may offer certain resources for managing shopping addiction, these are unlikely to meet all your needs. Numerous private rehabilitation centres throughout the UK offer specialised programmes tailored to combat shopping addiction.

How to help someone with a shopping addiction

If you or someone you know needs help with a shopping addiction, professional guidance can make all the difference. Addiction Helper can help you find the best shopping addiction treatment programme for you. Get in touch with us to start your recovery journey with expert help.

Reclaim Your Life Today

Our compassionate team are ready and available to take your call, and guide you towards lasting the lasting addiction recovery you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are shopping addicts more likely to hoard items?
Yes, shopping addicts are more likely to hoard items. This stems from the compulsive need to purchase and accumulate items, often without a specific need for them. Over time, this can lead to excessive clutter and hoarding behaviour where they feel unable to part with the items they have accumulated, even if they never use them.
Do shopping addicts experience “withdrawal”?
Yes, shopping addicts can experience withdrawal symptoms when they attempt to cut back or stop shopping. Similar to other addictions, these symptoms can include irritability, anxiety, restlessness and sadness. These feelings are often strong enough to compel people to start shopping again to alleviate their discomfort, thus continuing the cycle of shopping addiction.
Is shopping addiction recognised as a mental health disorder?
Yes, shopping addiction, often referred to as compulsive buying disorder, is recognised as a mental health disorder. It is characterised by an uncontrollable urge to shop, resulting in significant distress or impairment. Mental health professionals can diagnose and treat this condition, viewing it through the lens of other compulsive behaviours like gambling.

(Click here to see works cited)

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    UK Rehab. “Behavioural Addiction | Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis.” UK Rehab, https://www.uk-rehab.com/behavioural-addiction/. Accessed 14 February 2025.
  • Etxaburu, Nerea et al. “Buying-shopping disorder, impulsivity, emotional dependence and attachment in adolescents.” Current psychology (New Brunswick, N.J.), 1-12. 24 Feb. 2023, doi:10.1007/s12144-023-04425-3. Accessed 14 February 2025.
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  • Hartney, Elizabeth. “Shopping Addiction: Signs, Causes, and Coping.” Verywell Mind, 5 December 2023, https://www.verywellmind.com/shopping-addiction-4157288. Accessed 14 February 2025.