Addictions can take many different forms. Behavior or process addictions are behaviors that people compulsively engage in despite repeatedly experiencing negative consequences. Common behavior addictions include eating, working, gambling, sex, shopping, and digital media. Whether the process or behavior is an addiction or something that is overused, it can create several mental, physical, relational, and career complications. Many people chase the initial reward or dopamine hit they feel while engaging in the behavior but later feel guilt, shame, and unwanted cravings, in addition to having to deal with the unintended consequences of engaging in the compulsive behavior.

Compulsive shopping can include in-game purchases, Amazon shopping, eBay auctions, stock trading, online gambling, buying and returning things, etc. With credit cards linked to our phones, it only takes the push of a button to make a purchase resulting in instant gratification at our fingertips. While this is convenient for some, this is a recipe for impulse buying and poor money management for many others. We receive dopamine hits when we are searching or hit the purchase button, but this feeling is frequently short-lived and leads many people to keep going back for more to try to feel the desired effect.