The Codependent and the Addiction
Addiction is a family disease. It affects not only the addicts themselves, but the people around the addict as well. While the addict is addicted to a drug or alcohol, some people close to the addict can become “addicted” to the addict.
The codependent is an individual whose life begins to revolve around the addict. The codependent worries incessantly about the addict, feels responsible to somehow “save” the addict, and protects the addict from some of his or her consequences.
An example would be a mother of a young adult child, who allows her child to continue to live at home, free of charge, while he or she uses drugs. The justification is that the codependent believes that keeping the young adult child at home is protecting him or her from being even worse off.
The codependent is dependent on the addict for feelings of validation and worthiness. Ironically, this leaves the codependent feeling void in these areas. Yet, the codependent believes, perhaps unconsciously, that life could not go on if the addict dies of the addiction.
The codependent suffers from low self-worth that seems to worsen with time, as the addict’s choices and resulting consequences worsen. The codependent may attribute this to his or her “failure” in “making” the addict better.
On the other hand, the codependent can lose him or herself so completely in the life of the addict, that the codependent loses track of personal feelings, wants, hopes, goals, and even values. Codependents may find themselves lying to cover for the addict. The codependent may even steal money from the addict to hopefully prevent further drug purchases.
Perhaps the greatest challenge for the codependent is that of setting and maintaining healthy boundaries. This is especially the case in the relationship with the addict. Codependents need help just as much as the addict. The best Utah drug rehabs take this into consideration, offering a strong family program for close loved ones, while the addict is in treatment.
For more information contact a Utah Drug Rehab center near you. Utah Drug Rehab centers are great at answering questions and helping those who might be struggling with any form of drug abuse.
One Comment
Bubba / 02 Jul 2011 / 5:22 am