I know shopping is something I have to be very careful about - especially on-line shopping, because I know I do it to change my mood, and I get the same rush from buying stuff that I used to get from drinking. I got into a really bad debt situation years ago, right when I first got out of college - but I cleaned that up. Now that I've been sober a while, I find myself spending over my budget again. Fortunately I've realized it's a problem, and have put myself on a strict budget.

I define any addiction as continuing behaviour depsite it having negative consequences on your life. If your friend's shopping is driving her deep into debt or preventing her from paying her bills, then it's a concern. But the most you can do as a friend is express your concern. Ultimately it's up to the individual to decide if they have a problem.

---splitimage