I thought I just had a problem with shaving gear until I discovered really fine tea. I would NOT (repeat NOT) go the "cafe" forum or read any of the threads in my signature line. It's for your own good. ;-)
Shopping obsessively, in efforts to escape reality, to the point where it damages yourself or others, is indeed an addiction. Shopping, for some people, can "fill the void," just like booze, gambling, or food.
It's probably somewhat rare, but it does exist. "Shopaholics"
I just stay with RBAD for now. Much cheaper as far as these disorders go.
Only 1 razor, 1 brush, and 1 or 2 creams. But 14 blades tried so far, another 15 to go!
I'm trying to limit my disorder to shaving creams/soaps. florena, nivea, proraso, williams and edwin jagger, and some shaving oil, all in a 4 week period. so far the edwin jagger is out front, with proraso very close behind. Gotta try a tallow based soap next. I could stop buying shaving cream right now and probably last about 3 years.
1: Admit you are powerless over shaving
2: Come to believe that a power greater than our selfs could stop our beard from growing.
3: Made a decision to turn our will and our face over to the unlimited INTERNET stores who now cater to the addicted shaver.
4:Make a searching and fearless inventory of all soaps, creams, blades and razors we don't already have.
5: Admitted to our fellow B&Bers, to our selfs and never the wife our exact intentions of buying everything.
6: Were entirely ready to use our credit card to supply the things we needed.
7: Humbly....well you surely got it by now
YES you are addicted
But this is a tremendous support group
In writing this I intended no disrespect to the many real 12 step programs in existence today.
I don't know if I would call it an addiction. I used to hate shaving but after switching to wet shaving I look forward to it. I also love trying new soaps and creams to use. Variation keeps things interesting.