as someone with a compulsive personality who gets consumed by whatever they’re into at the time, I highly recommend finding other hobbies to distract from whatever hobby addiction is becoming problematic. Where I’m at now is balancing a few at the same time so that no single one takes up all of my time/money.
3 Likes
I think I can relate. I’m prone to obsessive behavior and I know that I often use the dopamine spike (from buying or achieving collection goals) to deal with stressful uni exams or to overcome low mood. I’m also really susceptible to FOMO and having no income right now, it quickly generates frustrations and fixations. I used to browse ebay all the time, asking my girlfriend for money, and it was (and still is sometimes) clearly interfering with my thought. It was economically self limiting, since I had literally no way to get into debt, but not healthy at all.
A psychiatrist that i know defines the addiction like something that take versatility/flexibility from you, your mind become stiff and your behavior can’t be easily changed. This is different from an healthy hobby or a genuine interest.
These are my findings based on personal experience:
—Taking a break usually kinda works but it will not resolve anything and you probably will relapse. You need to work on the underlying causes, improving your mental health. Therapy is really helpful.
—find other hobby is great, but I think that people with obsessive behaviors or addictions should be a little careful when choosing what to try. I personally got fixated with both gym and gameboy modding lol. I suggest something slow paced that allows the brain to “rest” (on my personal experience). I’m currently growing peppers and herbs on my balcony, and I have a tablet so I can draw.
—is useful to remember that time is the only real limited resource that we have. Time for us and to spent with our loved ones: maybe I’ll find a deal on pwcc or ebay but those 72h spent searching are not coming back.
3 Likes
As another someone in a similar situation, who will also tend to extend addiction to personal relationships, I’ll say settings personal goals in support of avoiding your potential addictions is important. Having a goal like, “Meet new people” or “gym 3 times a week” can help you to unconsciously put the addiction or relationship aside AND build a habit that prevents it in the future. Since I become too easily attached to people I like (platonically or otherwise) I’m always trying to meet new people so that I don’t feel so limited in my interaction options. Card collecting got me through my last breakup, but meeting new people got me out of it, and keeps me from descending there again.
3 Likes
I can relate because I’ve been a collector my entire life. I can remember being very young and keeping the back of the boxes of action figures so that I could complete the sets. Going to my parents or grandparents and asking to buy a toy, only to get the “oh, I didn’t know you even liked that character.” “I don’t, I just need it for this set.” - 7 year old me 
Like others have suggested, set a monthly cap of what you can responsibly spend for that month and don’t go over it. Whether you buy one card for that much, or ten totaling that number. Has worked well for me.
3 Likes
I’d like to share my story in the hopes that it helps others struggling with this.
I lost a family member when I came back into the hobby, around the time of the 25th Anniversary. Coincidentally, this family member bought me TONS of booster packs as a kid. I had no idea how to grieve. Instead I threw myself deeper and deeper into the compulsive purchases, until I spent a shameful amount of money on it last year. It felt good for a moment, but the feeling was fleeting and the grief always came back stronger. So the compulsion grew, and on and on…
I eventually hit what I would consider my own “rock bottom” and was forced to take a hard look at my behavior, similar to what you’re doing right now @triple. And with the help of therapy and very compassionate loved ones I’m in a much better place with collecting.
Good on you for posting this @triple. The simple fact that you want to stop giving into this behavior is probably the most important aspect of managing it. It’s incredibly hard when you try to white knuckle addiction without accountability. Even better is having someone neutral you can check in with when you’re feeling the desire to spend money – it could be your partner, a friend, a parent, a sibling or even someone you met in the hobby who has a more healthy style of collecting.
And you can always shoot me a message too! Same goes for anyone else in here.
5 Likes
Honestly, this is a really good option!
If you’re interested in buying something but you are unsure if it is genuine or influenced by shopping addiction, ask another member for their opinion. They’ll ask the relevant questions about whether you an afford it, whether it’s something that you genuinely want or if your interest is being influenced by social media/others, and if your spending behavior is at the level that you’re comfortable with.
Friends can look at the situation so much more objectively than ourselves. And while I don’t want to speak for others here, I am pretty sure that the majority of e4 members would be OK with an occasional check-in to keep you on track.
2 Likes
Not claiming to offer advice, but it took me 2.5 years of nonstop spending to realize a problem and 2 years to slowly get it under control. I think I eventually just grew downright disgusted with my spending habits.
Again, no advice, just anecdotal experience.
2 Likes
I should really do that… But whenever I see a sick card I trigger purchase it. 2023 has so many insane deals and its hard.
1 Like
Thank you everyone for the responses so far <3. I am trying my best right now to distance myself a bit from collecting
3 Likes
I have a running list of cards I want that I add to regularly. I like to put cards on the list, and sit on it for days/weeks/months to understand if it’s truly a “need to have” vs an impulse purchase. That said, it sounds like distance might be the best option.
1 Like
An extreme option is to have a child of your own 
Just try having any hobby after having a baby, and see how fast it comes to a halt.
In all seriousness, dealing with addiction is all about action and just doing the right thing for yourself. Very glad that you have already taken the first steps. Others have also mentioned this, but from personal experience, having someone accountable in your journey helps a lot. I found myself more disciplined only when I had someone keeping me in check.
Other than that, I wish you strength and may you find the peace that you are looking for.
Cheers!
5 Likes
Quick Update: I attended my first therapy session, honestly nothing really happened and 30minutes was just me explaining background information for the therapist to understand and other shit and will have another session. Also I’m not only doing this therapy for collection addiction as some assume, but general healthy financial decisions/goals and marriage guidance too. I’m having another session in 2 weeks so we’ll see what I get out of it. For the time being I have decided to stay full abstinence on buying Pokemon for my personal collection for the time being.
20 Likes
That’s awesome to hear man! Usually with therapy the first session is a get to know you kind of time and more of a general look into what you want to get out of therapy. Glad to hear you seeing something in yourself and going after healing. Huge step! Rooting for you Triple 
3 Likes
Congrats on making a big step and best of luck to you.
1 Like
Update: I have a therapy session this Sunday, I have decided that it is best for myself to step away from buying Pokemon cards and collecting for the foreseeable future, I finished all my collecting goals already but the problem is that I just keep buying more when I actually don’t need any more cards and I’m just buying duplicates because it is a good deal.
17 Likes
Proud of you, @triple. That kind of insight and restraint is really tough to achieve.
2 Likes
Best of luck to you in your collecting journey. Seems like you’re taking steps to set yourself up for a healthier life in the end, and that’s absolutely a great thing you’re doing for your future self.
1 Like
I say this with love but you may want to step away from E4 and other sites that may trigger you (at least for the initial “sobriety” period)
Full support on your journey of recovery and be proud of yourself for taking these steps!
2 Likes
Really proud of you buddy. I think acknowledging and taking actions regarding addiction is hard, but looking at your journey so far, it is really inspiring. I myself can learn a lot from your actions and I wish you happiness and peace of mind in whatever lies for you ahead.
Not sure if E4 is the healthiest place when you are in therapy but would love if you could keep interacting within the hobby without having to buy cards.
Sending you all the love.
Cheers!
1 Like
Thanks <3 I will try to hold off on everything Pokemon for the rest of summer.
Yeah for now I’ll probably be around on E4 still to see how I do and if it’s still a problem I might take a break from all Pokémon related platforms too
3 Likes