anyone got tips on how to stop the urges?

hi, i began shoplifting in feburary 2009. in october i got caught and went to court. luckily all i got was a good behaviour bond which lasts til next year and the condition of continuing to see my psychologist. i in fact hate my psychologist because he's racist and sexist (although he wrote a nice letter to the judge about how i was mentally unstable and she should let me off etc etc).

anyhow, just wondering if any fellow addicts have any tips about how to stop urges? im still stealing little things here and there, sigh, i cant help it, i walk into a store and immediately i feel this rush as i automatically start sussing out where storepeople are and how theyre behaving, concealed areas, cameras etc. its got so im totally avoiding going shopping.

i cant continue like this, if im going to have a family and have children i want to be able to be in control of myself.

Uaia, maybe your psych isn't making you feel comfortable enough to help you, if you say he's racist and sexist. Do you think keeping something with you at all times that reminds you of why you want to quit might help?

Yep. I do. I was caught three times. The fourth would have been prison time. Did not want to go there. On three occasions I stood in front of a judge and was told the facts of life about stealing. (shoplifting, etc.) I am not little miss perfect, and I do take the occasional pen, magazine, paper clip, etc. But I do not want to go back to court as in the late 90's and stand before a judge who threatened to take my freedom away and put me in a little cell. I had one storeowner as she held store door open for me as I left with their goods (Goodwill) tell me that I was headed for the penitentuary. Her name was Janie. And I owe her for her blatant honesty and that she did not have me arrested that day. Why do I steal pens, etc. now? Because I am so full of rage for the incest, rape, beatings, stompings, and torture that I endured as a vulnerable and innocent child. Am in therapy. My past does not define me and no one defines me but me and God now. Patchoulijade.

Talk to your lawyer and see if you can get a sit-down with the judge. Explain how things are with your psychologist, and ask if it would be permissible for you to seek a different psych. This would not only alleviate the psych hatred issue, but a fresh set of eyes may be able to see a different way to help you control your urges. As a bonus, it would show the judge that you're serious about trying to change your ways, which may help you when it comes time, next year, for the court to consider ending or extending your behaviour bond.

1: Only go shopping when you know what you're going to get.
2: Buy stuff on-line or have people buy stuff for you so you don't have to shop as often.

If anyone knows of your addiction, ask them to go with you.
Wear bright or loud clothing or something that will attract attention to yourself, so you know that you'll be more likly to be looked at.
PRAY, even if your aethist, PRAY