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Could you please direct me to information on overcoming spending addictions? It seems that if I get stressed or bored I will either turn to food for comfort or go out and spend excessive amounts of money (approximately up to $500 worth of clothes or things we don't need). Usually I end up returning most of the items but I cannot stop the cycle that I am in! Please help!
I have an article on addictions, which I believe applies to your situation at: Freedom from Addiction. In this article I cover some steps to freedom that are mainly spiritual and in regards to counseling and support. I encourage you to read it and take the suggested steps.
You need to plan three things you are going to do before you cave in to the urge to go shopping. When you have the urge:
1. Pray for God's power to avoid this temptation
(1 Cor. 10:13) and memorize some scriptures about being a good steward of your time, talents and resources.
2. Decide to do something else: go home if you are out and start a project or begin to clean your house.
3. Call someone for prayer. This person can act like a sponsor to help you think about doing something else which is productive.
Commit to taking these steps before you cave-in. It's my belief that you have control over this spending addiction and that you can avoid and prevent it. You must begin to explore what underlies this condition with a counselor though, or a spiritual mentor. This activity and pattern is a choice and you don't have to make that choice. God bless you as you grow in faith and in recovery.
Lynette Hoy
NCC, LCPC
Lynette J. Hoy is a marriage and family counselor, speaker, writer and the author of What's Good About Anger?. Lynette is the co-founder of CounselCare Connection , an organization providing counseling and resources for individuals and couples dealing with various issues.
©2004 by Lynette J. Hoy, NCC, LCPC
