Treating Codependency and Addiction in Texas

What is Codependency? 

Codependency is an emotional and behavioral condition in which a person’s sense of self-worth is directly linked to someone else’s approval. 

This mental health condition can arise in people close to the person struggling with addiction and the addict themselves. We frequently see families exerting significant efforts to maintain the safety or sobriety of their loved ones, even when their previous attempts have proven unsuccessful. 

Many individuals present with unhealthy and dependent relationships when seeking treatment. Some of these relationships are romantic, and some are just “using friends”. Either way, there is typically strong resistance to ending these tumultuous relationships. 

Codependent individuals often have feelings of guilt, resentment, anxiety, and depression, as well as physical health issues. This psychological disorder can be addressed through counseling, setting boundaries, and learning effective communication skills.

How is Codependency Developed?

Codependency can develop in a variety of ways, and it is most commonly associated with dysfunctional or unhealthy relationships, particularly those involving addiction or substance abuse. Codependency often arises in response to a person’s attempts to cope with a challenging or stressful situation, such as living with or caring for someone struggling with addiction.

Here are some common factors that may contribute to the development of codependency:

• Familial history: Growing up in a home with addiction or mental illness can increase the likelihood of developing codependency. Children in these families may learn to prioritize the needs of others over their own.
• Trauma: Experiencing trauma, such as physical or emotional abuse, can also contribute to the development of codependency. To cope with the trauma, a person may learn to focus on the needs of others rather than their own.
• Personality traits: Certain personality traits, such as low self-esteem, a need for control, and a fear of rejection, can also contribute to the development of codependency.
• Relationship dynamics: In relationships with addiction or other dysfunction, a person may learn to prioritize their partner’s needs over their own in an attempt to keep them safe. 

Signs of Codependency

The signs of codependency can vary from person to person, and each situation is unique.

Common signs of codependency with an addicted person may include:

• Difficulty making and keeping boundaries
• Feeling responsible for an addict’s behaviors and emotions
• Being depressed and constantly focused on the addict’s well-being or safety
• Trying to “fix” or “rescue” the person from their addiction
• Ignoring one’s own needs or feelings in order to prioritize others
• Avoiding conversations or activities that could lead to conflict
• Constant worrying about a specific person, like your partner or child

Codependency and Addiction

With addiction, codependency often refers to the behavior of individuals who enable the addicted person to continue using drugs or alcohol rather than seeking treatment or changing their actions. 

A codependent relationship with an addict may include: 

• Covering up for the addicted person
• Making excuses for them
• Participating in substance use with them

Codependency can also contribute to the development of addiction. For example, a person who struggles with low self-esteem or a fear of rejection may turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with difficult emotions or feel more confident in social situations.

Addressing both the relationship addiction and substance abuse often requires a comprehensive approach that involves individual and family therapy, addiction treatment, and support groups. Counseling can help codependent individuals identify and change their actions while developing healthier coping skills. Support groups, such as Al-Anon, provide additional support from individuals who have experience with what you are going through. Addiction treatment is also needed to help individuals overcome drug abuse and learn how to take ownership of their thoughts and actions. 

Codependent Family Relationships

Codependency is often present in the family of someone dealing with addiction. Even though their intentions are good, individuals usually do not realize they are enabling the addiction and preventing the addict from getting the help they need. 

Here are some common characteristics of codependent family relationships:

• Enabling: Some may engage in enabling, such as continuing to pay bills or providing money to them.
• Lack of boundaries: Family members may struggle to set healthy boundaries, leading to a pattern of behavior in which the person is able to manipulate or control them.
• Neglect of self-care: Some people may neglect their own self-care and well-being as they focus all their energy on the needs of others.
• Emotional distress: Codependents may experience a range of negative emotions, such as anxiety, guilt, shame, and resentment, as they try to manage the situation.
• Cycle of dysfunction: Codependent families can create a cycle of dysfunction in which the behavior is reinforced, and the codependent habits are perpetuated.

To break the cycle, both parties must be willing to change. This requires the codependent person to take responsibility for their feelings and needs and allow their loved one to take responsibility for their actions and decisions. Professional help in an addiction treatment family therapy program can be instrumental. Programs like The Last Resort help you implement techniques such as assertiveness and positive reinforcement so that you and your loved one can get well.