I have an ADDICTION and I think it is time I got help. But how???

Hmmm....well, the good news is, you know you have a issue here, and that's a great first step. Maybe checking the internet for shopaholic information would be a good place to start. I know the internet has lots of support groups. There may be a onilne bulliten board just for people with a similar problem. If you aren't even taking joy in the things you are purchasing then there is probably a bigger problem that needs to be addressed. I have an Aunt who used to have a shopping problem like this. She had closets full of clothes with the tags still on, bags of yarn that was never used (as a knitter I used to love getting to go to her "yarn store"), and lots of lotions and cosmetics. Apparently she used to be agoraphibic (fear of leaving the house), then when she finally left the house she substituted one issue, for another. I love shopping for bath and beauty stuff too (and probably have enough not to have to buy any more for the next year or so)...but I have had to give myself a budget, as well as a cutoff point....no more soap until I use some of what I already have. Since I'm not a professional, I think the best thing would be for you to look into some help, before this spills into other facets of your life, and to help get your finances under control. Best of luck, I hope things work out for you.

try to find another focus in your life..to get rid of an addiction you have to have something ready to replace it..this way it will be easier for you not to be dependant on this as your satisfaction..you can find other things to make you happy and give you an adrenalin cick..something perhaps not so tangible..with a more spiritual twist..then you can balance out..so when you do go to the shops..its a treat and not a compulsion..does that make sense?

You have got to get to grips with this obcession of yours!,it seems as though ever since childhood developed a craving for certain items,mainly womens stuff.I have read somewhere that menstruation problems can sometimes bring on these types of conditions,i'm no expert but if thats the case then it would seem to carry substance!hope it gets better!!!

The simple advice is just try to avoid these places but this may not be that simple.. I have a different addiction in buying CDs and DVDs that I never get a chance to listen to or watch, I'm just too busy but I buy them anyway in hope to get time for it later, only a few gets to be used for once then it just stays there.. somehow buying things gives us some kind of satisfaction or compensation for emptiness in our lives .. at least in my case :)

LOL - my name is Claire, and I am a Boots addict! I hope you have a Boots card anyway - that will help ease the burden. I like places like that too, - am often popping in at lunchtime to buy lipsticks, and other "goodies", So I am probably not the right person to help you!

How very strange. You've made me realise that I really have a problem as well. I used to work in a supermarket and generally I'd bring some food item home every day as well as doing a weekly shop and maybe a couple of little shops. I've since left and moved away and the closest shop is an hour away so what with the price of fuel and all you can't go running to the shops all the time. So I've started stockpiling. Bought a freezer. Still not enough room. Tried shopping once a month. Spent about $200. Still doing smaller shops every couple of weekd but spending about $100 - $50. That's waaaay too much for 1 person. And I'm constantly hungry, and getting fatter, and I really cannot afford to spend this much. At least I'm not alone. I gave up smoking too and piled on some weight then. My dear ole Dad said I'd better start smoking again. Can we win mate? I don't think so. See your local GP and ask him if you can get some support. Or a local medical clinic. Reminds me of a mother/daughter team who used to come through my checkout. Every week they would spend between $200 and $400 on food. There was a son/brother who lived with them as well. They bought iced confections (3/4 packets of ice creams like cornettos and tubs as well as the more gourmet ice creams), snack foods, processed food, soft drink, fruit juice, breakfast foods, lunch snacks, lots of meat and lots of deli and lots of fruit and veges. This would go on week after week. One day I was a bit cheeky and asked how could they eat all this food in one week. They said "We don't" I go "OH...well what happens to it?" I nearly fell over when they said ..."It gets thrown out". Wouldn't mind scavenging arounfd their garbage bin. (Kidding)

Yes, I think you need help and some of the other responders had good ideas. Also, when you are going into one of these shops only carry a certain amount of cash, no credit card, and you will not be able to go over your limit. With me it is books. I often think that I should just do my shopping at home, through the stacks of books I already bought but haven't read.

I think we all tend to have a certain habits that are hard to let go. I used to be a shopaholic too. I started to realize that I need to save money when I had my 2 daughters. I tried to minimize going to the malls or any shop. The good news is that since I purchased my own computer, I was able to content myself staying at home and working on my computer. Just try to divert yourself to something that you like to do instead of going to your favorite shop. Try to look for some hobbies or interests and focus yourself there.