Codependency describes a relationship where one person has extreme physical or emotional needs. The other person will then spend a lot of their time trying to respond to those needs.
This can often be detrimental to the partner’s life, along with their other relationships. Codependency can become a difficult spiral and it can affect a lot of people in numerous ways as a result. If you want to find out more about co-dependency then take a look below.
Symptoms of Codependency
Some of the symptoms of codependency involve the person feeling unloved out of their relationship role. People-pleasing may also come with a great deal of weight, as the person may feel as though they have to ensure that others have a positive opinion of them. This can lead to an absence of boundaries.
The person who is co-dependent may not have any sense of boundaries, for themselves or others. This can also lead to drug abuse, which is another major problem that is associated with co-dependency and addiction. Some people find that they are both addicted to substances and therefore seek out codependent behaviors as a result.
This can impact addiction even more and makes it so that both people can’t break out of the cycle without intervention from others. Either way, if this sounds like you then it is important to seek out support from a drug and alcohol treatment program so you can get the help you need.
Codependency and Drug Abuse
At the end of the day, it is important to know that codependency does not always occur with drug abuse. It is however often recognized in those who are struggling with an addiction. Both people may end up abusing drugs, or close family members may be using drugs as a coping mechanism.
The co-dependent person in the relationship may not be a spouse either. In fact, it is often possible to recognize co-dependent behaviors in children. If you need some help with your addiction then attending drug rehab, alcohol rehab or an addiction treatment center could be the best option for you.
Treatment for Drug Abuse
When someone is addicted to drugs, or if someone is struggling with alcohol addiction, this can lead to codependency. There is a lot of talk about research-based treatment programs and they show that having treatment can easily help someone modify their behaviors and that this can have a long-lasting effect.
If you look at the more severe instances of codependency, you will notice that it can be somewhat helpful for the person who is co-dependent to seek out their own treatment. Psychiatric professionals can help with personal therapy and they can also help to improve the self-image of the person who is co-dependent.
They can also help to set and define goals, along with needs. If you are seeking drug treatment or if you are seeking alcohol treatment, then you need to take note that the best way for you to protect yourself while making progress would be for you to attend a treatment center.
Seeking Help for Substance Abuse
If you do seek help for drug abuse or addiction, then the best thing that you can do is seek a full-service treatment program. The best thing about this is that it can help you to secure an individualized treatment program.
Through various research-based methods, you can then feel confident knowing that you can make a recovery over the long-term.
In addition to this, you can also help the family member who is co-dependent to learn how to control themselves while also setting boundaries. You can count on them to give support to the addicted partner and to also ensure that self-esteem is improved.
The Fear of Change
Alcoholics and addicts are not the only ones who tend to avoid intervention and treatment. It is entirely possible for families to avoid confrontation even if they are not the ones who have the addiction.
This is usually down to fear of the unknown. The thought of having an intervention that is successful can often be paralyzing, depending on the person and the role that they have in the relationship.
The person accepting help and then going away to seek treatment can send a message to the family that they have to do something different or that they need to change their behavior. If you want to find out more about our intensive outpatient program, telemedicine, multiple pathways treatments, or anything else of the sort then we are here to help. Our treatment center can help you with your admissions too so be mindful of that.