Interesting perspective-thanks for sharing!
If copping sneakers is negatively affecting someone’s life be it financial, emotional (i.e. family/relationships, etc.), etc. etc. would it just be an emotional problem and actually not an addiction? I’ve actually wondered this after watching that My Strange Addicition episode a few years ago about that woman who bought a ton of shoes:
Rebecca is addicted to buying shoes. With her addiction she has spent more than $45,000 dollars and believes that by not wearing her shoes she will hurt their feelings.
www.tlc.com
I'm not a licensed therapist (not being a smart ***, just saying..) but I can speak from the both the perspective of an addict and from that of helping a loved one going through addiction.
EVERYTHING that we do or do not do is rooted in emotion. Often times that emotion or feeling that we get from doing something becomes addictive/attractive. Who doesn't like to win? Who doesn't like to satisfy a craving? We do things that we enjoy because it makes us FEEL good. We're attracted to the FEELING, it's an emotional attachment. Sneakers, food, music, etc... are conduits. They're simply vessels that we use to achieve the feeling of gratification, accomplishment, etc...
Now, if your vessels are beginning to have as what some would PERCEIVE as a negative affect on different aspects of your life, you may have to reevaluate and reprioritize what's most important. I say PERCEIVE because others are quick to judge and criticize because they don't agree or understand. IF you stop buying sneakers to make someone else happy and in turn, your happiness is affected negatively, it will affect you emotionally.
For example, if purchasing sneakers, clothes, etc.. is causing an argument between you and partner because they think that it's "stupid" (or whatever), the purchasing may not be the issue, but the lack or understanding, respect and communication could be a deeper rooted issue that needs to be addressed.
On the other hand, if you're facing foreclosure or repossession due to irresponsibly handling money, or living beyond your means to purchase kicks, then it might be time to reevaluate your priorities. Neither of these scenarios would require medication or therapy to resolve because you're not physically or mentally DEPENDENT on purchasing kicks. You're not purchasing kicks EVERY day because you can't think straight without it or you physically feel ill when you don't hit a raffle.
Addiction is also rooted in emotion. It begins as something that we use to achieve a feeling as well. The difference is that addiction affects EVERY facet of your life, physically and mentally. Addiction is daily, constant, and everything that you do is SOLELY motivated and controlled by seeking to satisfy THAT craving. It's a never-ending desire that cannot be fulfilled and REQUIRES medication and/or therapy to eliminate or get control of.
There are FUNCTIONING addicts and MOST addicts often go to great lengths to conceal their addiction in fear of judgement.
I apologize for the long post. If I'm wrong, please correct and enlighten me. I hope that I was able to successfully answer/address your question.
Peace and blessings to everyone!
