Customer Reviews

Something for Nothing: Shoplifting Addiction and Recovery

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As a compulsive shoplifter I was thankful to find this newly written book by Mr. Shulman when I searched for information on shoplifting addiction. I know all too well the shame, embarassment, and guilt associated with this addictive behavior. Mr. Shulman has taken a huge step by coming forward and identifying himself to the world as one who suffers. His heartfelt expressions, along with those of others who suffer, struck a chord in me. Their stories are my story. I am them. This addiction, complex, as any addiction is, has not been thoroughly researched by many. I have been open and honest with family, therapists, lawyers, judges, probation officers, and prosecutors regarding my impulsive behavior and have been told time and time again that "it doesn't make sense".....That I am making excuses for behavior that is irrational, illegal, self-destructive, and demoralizing. If i were a drug addict that stole to support a drug addiction, I would be looked at in a different light by the general public, the courts, and employers. They might truly believe I have an addiction (drugs) which causes me to steal. But would they believe shoplifting is an addiction in and of itself? Probably not - most that I have come clean with do not believe and are puzzled by the behavior. I am here to tell you it is real - it is destructive as any other addiction. Many have asked me - Why would an upstanding citizen, middle aged, with three adult children and grandchildren, who teaches as a profession, and who appears to "have it together", "choose" to steal. This, for me, came to the point where it wasn't a choice. It took on a life of its own and had many complex underlying factors - many I have worked through; many I continue to work through daily and will for the rest of my life in order to arrest my behavior - one day at a time. Mr. Shulman doesn't go in depth into 12-Step Programs even though he does call his group "Anonymous". But, he is doing the best he can. He is helping others to overcome this addiction by admitting his struggles, giving support, providing an outlet for sharing openly with others who also suffer in a non-judgemental and anonymous setting. He is providing information and avenues to recovery to many people, like myself who have suffered for years and have been unable to find anyone who understands. He is informing therapists, lawyers, judges, and the general population that this is in fact a "real disease". Can it be arrested? Yes, with proper treatment, perseverance, and continued counseling. Can it be cured? As with any addiction, there is no cure. It will always be waiting for that ideal moment to "strike", when our own defenses are down, just like with any other addiction. Thank you for your honest approach to a subject that most people , myself included, would not be so quick to acknowledge they struggle with in a public manner. Keep up the good work. You are helping more people than you know.

As a repetitive shoplifter, I completely identified with Terrence Shulman's book, "Something for Nothing: Shoplifting Addiction and Recovery," and can't give this man enough credit not only for writing it but for coming out in the open about this pernicious problem and encouraging others to do the same.

Unlike other addictions, there are few support groups for shoplifters. We live in secret and learn to dispise ourselves and just hope we never get caught. We also wish for someone to help us and understand us, but are often too ashamed to speak up.

Shulman is straightforward, outlining the basic reasons "good" people steal, and profiling various shoplifters. What makes the problem so perplexing not only for sufferers but for law enforcement and retailers, and as Shulman points out clearly, is that the average shoplifter is Joe Citizen, who does not fit any criminal mold.

Shulman did his homework and presents it in a clear, non-judgmental context. He notes that in every other aspect of their lives, 85% of shoplifters are honest people. They would never steal from someone's home, are quick to pay back their personal and other debts, and try to instill solid values in their children. When they are caught, they are truly remorseful. They know they did wrong and are ashamed of it, just as a problem gambler must feel after he or she has wagered away the family savings, asking "What came over me? Why did I do it?"

Shulman notes that shoplifters just tuck away this secret, fooling themselves into thinking they can compartmentalize it into their otherwise upright lives. They suffer, though, as Shulman points out through his own experience and the testimonials of others. I was able to identify witht he various people in his book and for the first time in my life came clean and sought professional help. I realized I was not alone.

Notably, Shulman does not resort to the "abuse excuse" or anything else to condone this behaviour and underscores its criminality and that when one breaks the law, one must be punished.

He's merely giving the other side of the story, offering help and underscoring the need for better public understanding; not to excuse shoplifters but to help them stop and to prevent future criminal activity.

Doesn't everyone benefit that way? I think so.

As there is little out there on shoplifting addiction, I found "Something for Nothing" to be a very helpful guide to why people shoplift and what can be done to help them. I found the 4 stories in the book, especially the author's own story, enlightening and moving. I appreciated the statistics, the theories, and the exercises as well. I admire Mr. Shulman for his devotion to his own recovery as well as to his efforts to help others, especially by writing this book and starting a support group. I wish there was a group where I am from but it seems there are so few. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to understand shoplifting addiction and how to get help.

Something For Nothing is a terrific and important book. Before reading this, I was unaware that shoplifting was such a serious and pervasive problem, and in many cases, a very powerful addiction. Mr. Shulman's book is very well written, and it is an invaluable guide to anyone coming to terms with this addiction. Yet, I believe that this book is not only for those who have struggled with shoplifting, employee theft or other addictive behavior. I say that because Shulman's own story, and the background stories of the others featured, should resonate with all compassionate readers. Furthermore, the fact that he has rebounded from his addiction and is helping others do the same (both as a counselor, and through this book itself) makes this book all the more compelling!

The author's individual journey and the events in the lives of those he has helped, really gives comfort to those who are afflicted with the shoplifting addiction. Mr. Shulman's choice to put his name out there is a brave one. Being anonymous is a choice, not a requirement in a recovery program. A choice he lets his contributors make, even though he does not make it himself. Far from being a clinical look at a major addiction, this is a soulful book, which really reaches out to those in need. If any flaws are found in the work, it is because Shulman's writing comes from his emotional center and not the cold intellectual halls of the academia. There are so few, if any, such personal stories out there on this subject. Mr. Shulman's book should really touch those who share his addiction, by letting them know that they are not alone. He also includes many helpful resources, not the least of which is the ability to contact him directly.

After seeing Mr. Shulman and the topic of shoplifting addiction featured on Prime Time Live and The Early Show recently, [...]. It was a godsend! I'd been looking all over for help and finally I have hope. I appreciated Mr. Shulman's honesty in telling his story of recovery from this addiction. The other stories in the book were helpful as well. This book has something for everyone--theories, statistics, exercises, resources, and even how to apply the 12 Steps to recovery from shoplifting addiction. I applaud Mr. Shulman for his bravery and for being a pioneer in this field with little understanding and little compassion. I can see in the most recent reviews what I and others are up against. I highly doubt that these reviewers have even read his book as it does, indeed, include mention of the 12 Steps and certainly does not make excuses for anyone who steals. I doubt noteworthy programs like Prime Time Live and The Early Show would have featured theft addiction as legitimate topics if they didn't believe Mr. Shulman was onto something. I am still reading this book and intend to read it over and over again. I encourage anyone truly interested in this problem to read it and judge for yourself. Thanks, Mr. Shulman. For the first time, I feel hope that there is someone who understands me.

I am a 61 yr. old woman. I had been shoplifting for 40 plus years. I was terrified, my life was full of stress, darkness, secrets, fear, terror of going to jail, shame, guilt, negativity. You name the negative adjectives, I probably had them. I didn't know how to stop shoplifting. I was close to suicide, I was bottoming out, I was so depressed, I had been on every antidepressant that had been invented. Nothing really worked.My relationship were all so disfunctional and part of it was due to the shoplifting, because it affected how I felt about myself and I attracted the wrong people into my life. I knew what was at the root, but I was too full of guilt and shame to talk to anyone about it. The one and only time I did in therapy, the therapist acted so shocked, that I never brought it up again. Then 7 months ago I was arrested again, for the 7th or 8th time.It's needless to say I WAS SO DESPERATE, I had heard about Mr. Shulman on the Oprah show.I looked up his website and ordered his book. It was a godsend. I felt hope and relief for the first time in my life about this shoplifting. But most of all I felt hope. I felt I could now began to understand the "why's", and I started to understand that it was not kleptomania so much as it was an "addiction". Now I know there are those out there who are going to read this book who are less empathetic with us and say "oh grow up" "get real" etc. etc. That's okay, you never had the addiction,and I thank God you don't, just like you probably don't have an addiction to alcohol, or gambling or etc.I wouldn't wish this addiction on my worse enemy. Until we walk the path in another's shoes it's not for us to judge. I can understand their feelings to some extent, because I judged myself. I am greatful to Mr shulman for his help in pioneering the way to understand and helping in the addiction of shoplifting. It helps to know there are others out there just like us (himself included) who need help, we can help one another and that is a good thing. This book Something For Nothing helped me in so many ways. It gave me so much insight as to the "whys" and "how it got started" coping mechanisms like how to learn to be more assertiv, exercised to do, things to be aware, how to avoid stores when you are stressful, how to recognize your triggers, etc. etc. I was really in denial and numb to so much in my life and this book awakened me to reality, I highly recommed to those who are suffering from shoplifting and want to quit and those who have a loved who shoplifts. it is relatively inexpensive and easy to read. Hope is out there. You just have to preservere. Happy Universe

I ordered and receieved this book 3 days after my first (and only shoplifting arrest). I did not know where to turn and was desperate for help.

After receiving this book, I read it in about 3 hours, cover to cover, absorbing and hanging on to every word. I was overhwhelmed with relief and hope for the first time in 5 years.
The personal stories of vounteers who were profiled in the book who offered their experiences were so similar to my own experiences in terms of how I felt when I shoplifted, my familial background, the methods and rituals, residual emotions, etc.

Mr. Shulman's very candid and raw account of his own personal journey through and beyond a life of theft addiction spoke directly to me in a way that I could finally feel like I was not alone.

The information in the book validated my addiction to shoplifting as just that- an addictive/compulsive , rather than an act of a greedy, petty thief. I finally believed that this was a behavior for which support and help was available. It provided resources for where to seek such help, which was brand new to me in my years of searching for the appopriate treatment.

Thank you Terry Shulman, for writing this book so honestly, openly, and with such passion for "humanizing" this insidious addiction.


Alice O.

Being a Human Services Professional I've come across many people who have been wrongly diagnosed as suffering from Kleptomania and therefore, wrongly treated. The idea itself of "Theft Addiction" is a truly groundbreaking and original way of looking at a behavior that is far too common and committed by a vast majority of people NO ONE would suspect of being a thief. The majority of people are just like you and me, except they suffer from an undiagnosed and before now, a psychological puzzle. The idea of a person stealing to get a "High" from their behavior struck a chord with me as that's how I've heard it described to me in my therapy sessions. Why do otherwise "normal" people GAMBLE themselves into homelessness, seek out Prostitutes even though if caught an enormous level of shame and damage will occur not only in their own lives but in the lives of their loved ones, smoke marijuana or take other drugs even though this countries harsh and often heartless drug laws will land them in prison? These people seem to KNOW deep inside that their actions have hurt or are hurting, not just their selves but all those who depend on them and love them. Yet the majority of "Theft Addicts" still can't seem to stop committing the same acts repeatedly. So it seems only logical to attempt psychological explorations in an attempt to discover what drives the shoplifter to repeat their illegal and irrational behaviors ad infinitum. Irrational behaviors can usually be described quite rationally as author Terry Schulman appears to have done in his truly amazing study of THIS Self-Destructive Behavior. Read this book with both an open heart and an open mind and in doing so you may come to see the person committing these crimes as doing so as a "cry for help", or to fill some yet undiscovered (by the "Thief") emotional void... As Mr. Schulman writes, many of the people who Shoplift do so because of unresolved issues in their lives, whether it's a delayed Grief Reaction, or an unconsious boiling over of Anger, Frustration, Lonliness, low self esteem, whichever, the only proven "cure" for many chronic Shoplifters is the type of Therapy Mr. Schulman introduces us to in his book. Even lengthy periods of Incarceration do not seem to deter the chronic shoplifter from continuing his or her actions once released from prison. Shoplifting is a serious and growing problem, and, I believe that EVERY new theory to that surfaces in an attempt to combat this behavior should be taken seriously. Let's all of us who are or who have been touched or victimized by the self destructive acts of a shoplifter give Mr. Schulman's book the chance it deserves to possibly hold the key to a cure!

I couldn't believe there was actually a book on shoplifting addiction and recovery. Mr. Shulman has written a rare and brave book about his own recovery and others' recoveries that made me feel like there was finally hope. This book is full of powerful facts and exercises and I would recommend it to anybody who is interested in this topic. Thanks Mr. Shulman. You should be on [tv]! We need more brave souls like you. We need more books like this!