Codependency
Understanding Codependency
Originally, codependency referred to the patterns of behavior and emotional responses developed by individuals living with a partner or family member struggling with alcoholism. Over time, the definition has broadened. Today, it is widely recognized that codependency can emerge in anyone living with a person affected by addiction—regardless of the substance—or even with someone who has a chronic mental or physical illness.
A current understanding of codependency describes it as an excessive emotional or psychological reliance on a partner, parent, or family member who is dealing with illness, addiction, or dysfunction.
In general, codependency can be seen as a set of compulsive, learned behaviors developed in response to a painful or stressful environment—often shaped by addiction, neglect, abuse (physical or emotional), chronic illness, or other forms of dysfunction within the family system.
“We do not have to spend our lives reacting to others, we can set boundaries, we can learn to trust and listen to ourselves, but most importantly we can learn to set goals and find a direction for our own lives. Learning to place a value on ourselves, not by how other people view us, but how we view and value ourselves. The power of saying “no” in any relationship is fundamental in being true to ourselves.”