Kleptomania Support Group

This is my first post to this support group, although I have been reading others entries before I joined to see if this was the right place for me. I am a 4 time offender for Theft 2 (shoplifting) who has recently gotten out of jail, where I was sentenced for 30 days. This was my most severe prosecution up to this time, as I had gotten off with lighter sentences in the past (Theft Talk, Work-in-lieu-of-jail over weekends, & fines). To say the least, it was a horrible experience, one I never want to repeat, and a real upsetment to my family. Now, I can honestly say, I do not want to reoffend, and am looking for treatment, having snapped out of denial and my willingness to admit there is a real problem here, that is costing me dearly (low self esteem,shame, harm to those I love). Before, I just considered it to be "my problem", and that I was not doing any real harm except to myself, but that was just part of the rationallization that this sickness is victimless, which is really far from the truth. That's just a delusion we hold on to, to somehow make it okay. It's not okay. I am 54 years old, mother of 3 that are all grown and over 21, so I suffer from empty nest syndrone. I have not worked in over 20 years while I was raising my kids with my husband, who is the sole breadwinner. I began to shoplift late in life, after we had gone thru financial setbacks and backruptcy that made it harder to buy necessities, like groceries, and in fact, my first offence was in 2001 when I stole food totaling $200 from a grocery chain (although I had done similar deeds before, I just happened to get caught this time). I was aware that my mother shoplifted occasionally as a child in economic hardship, something I felt shame over as a child, but did not emulate her until late in life under these increasing stressors. Anyway, I'd like to share some of what I've learned in seeking out help for myself, if any of you are at that point where you want real help. I don't profess to have all the answers, but I might be able to suggest some routes to wellness that you might take, just contact me. [b]

I read your story and I would love to talk to you. I was arrested 1 week ago. I'm praying it doesn't get in the local newspaper. This was my third arrest. I contacted a lawyer immediately. I probably should have done that the second time and she said I wouldn't have it on my record. Oh well, to late now. I