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Mental Health - Codependency
Minding your Mental Health Healthy Living

"Codependency" is used to describe the person who becomes the "caretaker" of an addicted or troubled individual. The individual can be addicted to alcohol, drugs, or gambling. Or, he or she can be troubled by a physical or emotional illness. Codependents can be this individual's partner, lover, child, parent, brother, sister, co-worker, or friend. Codependents do these things:

Most codependents do not realize they have a co-dependent problem. They focus more energy on another's actions and needs than on their own. They think they are actually helping the troubled person, but they are not.

Questions to Ask

Do you do three or more of the following?

  • Think more about another person's behavior and problems than about your own life

  • Feel anxious about the addicted or troubled person's behavior and constantly check on them to try to catch them in their bad behavior

  • Worry that if you stop trying to control the other person, that he or she will fall apart

  • Blame yourself for this person's problems

  • Cover up or "rescue" this person when they are caught in a lie or other embarrassing situation related to their addiction or other problem

  • Deny that this person has a "real" problem with drugs, alcohol, etc. and become angry and/or defensive when others suggest there is an addiction or other substance abuse problem
Yes. See Counselor.

No

  

 

You may not be truly codependent, but you should become aware of how your behavior may be enabling an addicted or troubled individual.

Self-Help

Most codependents are not in touch with their co-dependency and may need help to see it. The following self-help tips are general suggestions. For many people, these are not easy to do without the help of a counselor.

  • Read books on codependency. You can find these in the library and bookstores. You may find you identify with what you read and gain understanding.
  • Focus on these three C's:
    • You did not Cause the other person's problem.
    • You can't Control the other person.
    • You can't Cure the problem.
  • Don't lie, make excuses, or cover up for the abuser's drinking, drug, or other problem. Admit to yourself that this way of living is not normal and that the abuser or troubled person has a problem that needs professional help.
  • Refuse to come to the person's aid. Every time you bail the abuser out of trouble, you reinforce their helplessness and your hopelessness.
  • If you or your children are being physically, verbally, or sexually abused, do not allow it to continue. Seek the help of shelters for victims of domestic violence.
  • Know that there are many support groups which help codependents. Examples are self- help groups for family and friends of substance abusers, such as Al-Anon, Alateen, and Children of Alcoholics Foundation (COAF). Other self-help and support groups are offered through community health education programs.
  • Continue your normal family routines, i.e., include the drinker when he/she is sober.
  • Focus on your own feelings, desires, and needs. Begin to do what is good for your own well-being.
  • Allow children to express their feelings. Show them how by expressing your own.
  • Set limits on what you will and won't do. Be firm and stick to these limits.
  • Engage in new experiences and interests. Find diversion from your loved one's problem.
  • Take responsibility for yourself and others in the family to live a better life whether your loved one recovers or not.

    • What You Can Do for a Friend or Relative

    Persons who are codependent may not realize they have a problem, deny they have a problem, and/or refuse to get help. If you think someone you know is codependent, the following tips can help you help them:



    This page last updated on February 25th, 2009.
    Content last reviewed on February 24th, 2009.