Find a Mental Health Professional for Shopping, Spending & Work Addiction

About Shopping, Spending & Work Addiction support

Compulsive spending or shopping involves repeated purchases made to manage difficult emotions, with a sense of urgency or compulsion, often followed by guilt and financial stress. Work addiction (sometimes called workaholism) involves an inability to disengage from work despite negative effects on health, relationships, and wellbeing. Both patterns often develop as ways of managing anxiety, seeking stimulation, or filling a sense of emptiness, and both can significantly affect quality of life. Psychological support for compulsive spending and work addiction follows principles similar to other behavioural addiction treatment. Therapy explores the emotional functions of the behaviour, identifies underlying needs, and develops healthier and more sustainable alternatives. Financial counselling alongside psychological support can address the practical consequences of compulsive spending. In Australia, financial counsellors are available through the National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007), which is free for people experiencing financial difficulty. Debtors Anonymous provides a peer support model for compulsive spending. EAPs offer a first point of contact for work addiction concerns, and GPs can refer to psychologists through Medicare's Better Access initiative for related mental health presentations.