Profound Changes After Compulsive Shopping HAHM Support

Client Profile

• Name: Zanele (pseudonym)
• Age: 35
• Location: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
• Occupation: Retail Buyer
• Condition: Compulsive buying (shopping addiction)

Presenting Problem

Zanele reported:

• Shopping 3–5 times per week (mostly online)
• Strong triggers: Stress after work Emotional lows Promotional emails / sales
• Experiencing: Financial strain Guilt after purchases Feeling “out of control”

Program Used

• 4-week HAHM Model (8 sessions)
• Core framework:

Physical-like Dependence

• Tension before purchase
• Relief after buying

Psychological Dependence (Primary)

• Emotional spending
• Reward anticipation
• Habit loops

Week 1: AWARE (Pattern Exposure)

• Identified emotional triggers (stress, low mood)
• Recognised automatic browsing behavior
• Increased awareness before purchases
• Reduced impulsive buying

Week 2: INTERRUPT (Craving Disruption)

• Urges still present but less automatic
• Successfully delayed purchases
• Introduced 24-hour delay rule
• Reduced frequency of purchases

Week 3: REWIRE & REPLACE

• Reduced emotional reliance on shopping
• Introduced healthier coping strategies
• Improved emotional stability
• Increased control over spending

Week 4: REINFORCE (Identity Shift)

• Shopping reduced to intentional, necessary purchases only
• No longer compulsive
• Financial clarity improving
• Increased confidence

Physical-like

• Reduced tension before buying
• Lower impulsive urges

Psychological

• Significant reduction in emotional spending
• Increased self-control
• Reduced guilt and anxiety

Behavioral

• Eliminated impulsive purchases
• Established structured spending habits
• Improved financial discipline

WHY THIS CASE WORKED (HAHM MODEL IMPACT)

• Identified emotional triggers
• Broke urge → purchase loop
• Changed emotional association with buying
• Introduced alternative coping strategies
• Built identity as a controlled, intentional spender

CLINICAL INSIGHT

This case demonstrates:

• Shopping addiction is primarily emotion + anticipation driven
• Delaying action breaks the reward loop
• Financial control is a byproduct of emotional control