Hi Dane,

All in the family? Yes, possible.
I read that some people have it in the blood, they get addicted more easily than others. It is known that the children of alcoholic parents, have a greater chance of getting the addiction themselves. Is it in the blood, or is it the upbringing? Anyway, to include karma, we encounter those things that we need to grow, it also means putting up a fight against possible negativity in the personality. The only judge here is the self! The self has to realize their is a problem, and find the force to overcome it.
I remember my nasty smoking habit, and for years I denied that it was a bad thing for my health. Although the little voice kept saying;"stop"
I am glad to say that my mother joined in the combat and we both stopped.
The shopping habit is definetly a substitute for an emptiness. Like every addiction is.

Regards,
A-M