Addicts who need a Priory arrangement

The Daily Echo revealed earlier this year how the Marchwood Priory Hospital, a refuge for drug-addicted and stressed-out celebrities, was offering help to serial mobile phone message senders.

And now they are seeing an increasing number of people seeking treatment for out-of-control shopping sprees and gym obsessions.

David Nott, manager of the addiction treatment programme, said: "I think a lot of people saw the Daily Echo article about text messaging and it helped people have far more awareness that addiction is not just about alcohol or drugs.

"We have since seen an increase in the numbers of people who have got shopping and exercise problems. Before they didn't realise it was actually an addiction, and just thought it was a period of their life but, having seen us they did realise they have a dependency.

"With exercise problems for instance, people do get a buzz out of going to the gym. But for some, rather than just going three times a week for an hour at a time they are going there both morning and night."

He added they were still being visited for assessments by people with text message addictions. Nationally more than 20 billion messages were sent in 2003 and the figure is expected to be even higher this year.

Mr Nott said there were tell-tale signs that indicated people could have a problem with addictions to shopping or the gym.

"It will probably start with people saying around you that you are spending a lot of money, it means someone else is picking up on what you are doing. But before that you have probably realised that you're doing something a little more than you should be. "With the gym, people try to justify it by saying they just need to lose that little bit more weight.

"With shopping it could be that you've already worn that dress and need a new one or you've lost weight so need a new wardrobe."

"Anxiety is one of the key signs, if something comes up that means you are not able to go the gym or go shopping."