Shopping addiction rises globally, fueled by online access and mental health concerns

By [Your Name], International Editor

LONDON – A seemingly harmless purchase of Adidas Stan Smiths sparked a decade-long battle with shopping addiction for Hannah Blass, a 30-year-old from Vancouver, Canada. Her story, increasingly common across the globe, highlights a growing public health concern linked to the ease of online shopping, social media influence, and underlying mental health issues.

Blass’s initial foray into compulsive buying began in 2019, while a university student. The £80 sneakers, purchased with her first credit card, offered a fleeting thrill, quickly followed by guilt. “As a student on a tight budget, I knew it wasn’t a wise decision,” she admitted. “But the excitement of buying something beyond my means was a sensation I wanted to experience again and again.”

What started as a pastime spiraled into an uncontrollable habit, impacting her finances and mental wellbeing. By the peak of her addiction, Blass was spending over £11,000 annually on clothes, accumulating nearly £9,000 in credit card debt – a secret she kept hidden from friends and family.

Blass’s experience isn’t isolated. Experts point to a surge in shopping addiction, also known as compulsive buying disorder, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. A 2022 research paper revealed a doubling in the number of Britons affected since a 2016 study which estimated around 5% of adults were struggling with the issue. The pandemic, with its lockdowns and increased reliance on online retail, is widely considered a key driver.

“For many people with a shopping addiction, mental health issues are to blame,” explains Zaheen Ahmed, director of therapy at The UKAT Group, a UK-based addiction treatment center. “Many of these people are unhappy in their lives and trying to fill a void, in the same way that an alcohol or gambling addict might.”

The neurological basis for this behavior lies in the brain’s reward system. Shopping triggers a dopamine release, a chemical associated with pleasure, creating a cycle of craving and consumption. Ahmed draws a stark comparison: “The dopamine hit shopping addicts get from buying items is the same as cocaine users get when they take the drug.”

The allure of social media also plays a significant role. Blass herself attributes her initial desire to shop to the influence of online influencers showcasing designer clothes. “I thought that, if I dressed like them, I’d have their confidence too,” she said.

Recognizing the problem is often the first step. Ahmed suggests individuals consider three key questions: Have you tried to cut down on shopping and failed? Do you feel guilty about your purchases? Do you become irritated when others question your spending habits? Answering “yes” to two or more suggests seeking professional help.

While Blass ultimately tackled her addiction independently through a self-imposed “no buy” period of three months, experts caution this approach isn’t universally effective. Antidepressants and talking therapy are often recommended to address underlying mental health concerns.

The rise in shopping addiction is prompting concern from public health officials. While comprehensive global statistics are still emerging, the trend underscores the need for increased awareness and accessible treatment options. The UK government, for example, has recently increased funding for mental health services, acknowledging the link between psychological wellbeing and addictive behaviors.

Today, Blass runs The Style Audit, a website dedicated to helping women overcome overspending habits. Having paid off her debt, she rarely buys new clothes and shares her story to connect with others facing similar struggles. “It’s so easy for people to go unnoticed until their debts really start to build up,” she warns.

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The increasing prevalence of shopping addiction serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between consumer culture, mental health, and the accessibility of online retail. Addressing this growing issue requires a multi-faceted approach, encompassing preventative education, accessible treatment, and a critical examination of the societal pressures that fuel compulsive buying.