Addiction to Shoplifting...

Is an addiction to shoplift a real thing.

Some say yes and others say no.

I have a friend who i am very worried for. He has sticky fingers and claims he cannot help himself but take things. The thing that worries me is he has been caught several times but has only been kicked out and or banned from the store. Im just afraid hes going to get some jail time and or a criminal record.

Im just trying to understand...

I just watched an hour long documentary about shoplifting and in it the experts say it is an emotional problem, its a void that people try to fill and shoplifting somehow, even though they know its wrong, fills that void. OR the compulsivety just cannot be controlled. Its a billion dollar loss due to shoplfiting in North America. From amature shoplifter to professional ones.

Does anyone else have any insight on this issue... is claiming "I Cannot control myself" really true or is this just an "excuse" from being thrown in jail

 

I too have friends that are constantly stealing while I am out with them. It even comes to the point of me having to buy them something just so they don't steal it.

 

Damn it... My girlfriend just told me that she shoplifted once, while we were having a heart to heart conversation, she told me that she was playing this truth and dare game with friends, and she took something a H&M shop!!!

I was like how the fuck could you steal something from such a branded shop? She was like not gonna tell you. But anyways, shoplifting is a serious problem that needs to be stopped, you will go to jail for it if caught...

How old is your friend anyways? How come he's caught several times and not gone to jail?

 

Used to shoplift too much--until I got a job & turned 18, anyways. I consider it an addiction just like masturbation, video games, etc.

 

Kleptomania, some people do have an urge to steal things, and some even go to treatment. So it's possible that your friend could be addicted to stealing. Anyone could have an addiction to almost anything.

 

I've researched this topic several times, as I've had experience with it as well. There's 2 types of shoplifters - one who steals because he/she wants that item without having to pay for it, and another really is an addiction.

The second type of person steals because it makes them feel good when they walk out with merchandise. You/they might notice that after they steal, they never/seldom use the item. Then, you might find them stealing useless items or things they do not need.

In your friends case, it seems that he steals because it really is what he says "I cannot control myself".

 

IDK about these additions i just think that people may say this while just stealing something to make you feel more comfortable with it

 

Anything, literally, can be mentally addicting. Video games, Runescape, this site, anything you enjoy doing on a daily basis.

 

I'm sure it could be addicting. I've done it once and the rush you get is well, it's a rush. lol. So I'm sure people are addicted to that rush.

 

This as many other forms of addiction are what Sociologists call Medicalization of Deviance. In other words they're trying to explain why people do bad things with medical terms. A lot of addictions and some mental illnesses are medicalized deviance and people use it as an excuse. Take adultery - go on and have as much sex with as many people as you want because you are a sex addict. It is a n excuse to do things that are not a social norm.

 

Hmm. Id just hate to see him thrown in jail.

Ok so yes it can be an addiction but does anyone know how i can help him? What does he need? Counseling?

 

It isn't an addiction, but it is easy to say you are addicted.

 

I had got caught stealing when I was 17 at a walmart. It was a $10 item, I think, and a secret shopper (had a badge which he flashed) told me that I could go to jail for it, but I had the option to leave(I had stolen items very similar to that for the past few weeks then). So they kicked me out (only for that day). Many places and police/secret shoppers will make different decisions, whether they book you or kick you out. It's up to your friend to make the better decision, whether he's lucky if he gets caught and just gets kicked out of the store.

 

I used to have friends that would steal on a regular basis, but after they got caught they stopped completely. Hopefully this will work for others, if they do ever get caught

 

If you do something over and over and over again, your mind will start to become addicted, I'm sure you can get addicted to shoplifting

 

No, it's not an addiction. Those who say it is are just using it as an excuse. If anything, I think the 'rush' feeling that comes with shoplifting is what makes people repeat it.

 

I believe it is an addiction, they receive excitement/pleasure from what they are doing and they create a dependancy on it like any addiction. Ie Drugs, alchohol, Porn.

 

I did it when Tekken 5 came out, the adrenaline feeling is overwhelming.
^That's like 4 -5 years ago though

 

This rush is nearly equivalent to a 'gambler's rush'. Do you not think gambling is an addiction?

 

Another reason why it may be an addiction to them would be that the merchandise that they're stealing is easy to obtain so they do it. I use to steal from Zumiez (Skate Shop) I stole over 9 pairs of shoes shit load of pants and shirts. Just cause it was too easy.

NOTE: Just cause you steal from a store doesn't mean you go to jail, If the merchandise stolen is more than $20 you pay a $500 fee and jail/Juvi time, If under $20 you either have to give the item back or pay for it.