Can't stop on my own

I've had a problem stealing things and stealing from people ever since childhood. I can't control it. My unemployment with no income coming in triggers and amps it up. What do you do to control it?

Welcome Tiddy123 ,

I'm sorry you're struggling with this . It's a compulsive behavior and it's a dangerous one . Eventually , you will be caught and that could have terrible consequences .

Please reach out to a professional about this . Compulsions can be managed although it takes a great deal of effort and you need to make a plan for dealing with the urges when they hit you . I'm a compulsive gambler and fighting off my urge to gamble was a long and uncomfortable process . My process included the following :

1) identify the triggers and recognize when you need to remove yourself from the situation .

2) Distractions , distractions , distraction . The urge will pass whether you act on it or not . In the beginning , the urges come in waves and only stop when you give in . In my experience , the more you refuse the urge , the weaker it will become to compel you . This is a very uncomfortable process and it takes time . You have to stay strong and keep fighting back .

3) Celebrate every victory over the urges . KNOW you want to be free of this . If you fall , get back up and really analyze why you fell . Learn what brings on the urge and what makes it stop ( even temporarily ) . It's a learning process .

You can do this !