Codependency And Addiction Recovery: A Guide
When a person suffers from a substance misuse disorder, his or her partner may become involved. Codependency develops and has a potential for dangerous results. It is essential to understand the relationship between codependency and addiction.
At Miracles Recovery in Port St. Lucie, we comprehend the challenges that come with addiction for the individual and his or her loved ones.
We offer various therapies and help develop a successful codependency treatment plan to achieve long-term sobriety.
What Is Codependency?
Codependency is a word that describes an unhealthy connection between two people. Most people have codependency tendencies.
Also, this type of person often becomes attracted to an individual who suffers from a substance misuse disorder or who is emotionally unavailable.
In other words, one person enables the bad behavior of another person. This need to take care of another person creates troubling circumstances.
Indeed, some people feel that taking the role of caretaker provides a feeling of self-worth. Also, these individuals lack self-love. In essence, they hope to receive the love that they give to others.
Table of Contents
- 1 What Are The Symptoms Of Codependency?
- 2 The Link Between Codependency And Addiction
- 3 How Codependency Affects All Aspects Of Life
- 4 Overcoming Codependency And Addiction
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8 Treatments Used At Miracles For Codependency And Addiction Recovery
- 9 Addiction Counseling Options At Miracles Recovery
- 10 Subscribe For Weekly Motivation
What Are The Symptoms Of Codependency?
Denying Problems
Some individuals who struggle with codependency never recognize that there is a problem. Oftentimes, they blame others. Also, they may deny personal needs. Denying problems is not healthy and can make a person unable to accept help from others.
Providing Money or Support for a Person’s Bad Habits
Being a people pleaser can have dire consequences. A person may feed another person’s habits to gain love. Also, feelings of anxiousness occur when the individual does not go along with another individual. In the end, the person with the substance abuse disorder takes advantage of individuals with codependency issues.
Making Excuses to Cover a Person’s Substance Misuse
To repeat, a person will make excuses and live in denial when it comes to covering a loved one’s addictive behavior.
Poor Communication
ACodependency benchmark symptom of codependency is poor communication. In other words, a person has difficulty sharing thoughts and emotions.
Need For Approval
A codependent individual must feel accepted by others to accept himself or herself. This person has a fear of abandonment. Sense of identity is tied to his or her relationships.
Low Self-Esteem
Indeed, low self-esteem makes a person never feel good enough. Also, he or she constantly compares himself or herself to others.
Not Forming Boundaries
Surely, setting healthy boundaries is important for self-respect. Boundaries can be both emotional and physical. A codependent person blurs lines and has trouble separating himself or herself from others.
Caretaking
Codependency is filled with taking on other people’s burdens. In other words, a person has increased feelings of empathy. This person puts other people’s needs ahead of his or hers and defines “love” as being needed.
Need For Control
Codependency is based on control. In other words, control brings feelings of safety. Without control, a codependent person is never happy or fulfilled.
The Link Between Codependency And Addiction
To be sure, relationships start with two people who fall in love. Soon, their lives become intertwined. When one partner begins abusing drugs or alcohol, the other may start acting in ways that he or she believes help the person misusing these substances. He or she covers for the individual’s bad behavior, especially in public situations. In other words, he or she makes excuses. Unfortunately, hiding the problem enables poor behavior.
When Drugs And Alcohol Become Involved
Specifically, when drugs and alcohol become involved, codependency worsens. For example, a wife may purchase drugs or alcohol for her husband who has a substance misuse disorder. Since she craves attention and love, she demonstrates codependency.
However, this is risky behavior. Also, she may feed his habit and rationalize that he may drive to get more drugs or alcohol himself. In this manner, she feels justified. Unfortunately, the cycle of dependency continues until something happens to stop it. In particular, it usually ends fatally or with devastating consequences.
How Codependency Affects All Aspects Of Life
To point out, codependency affects more than just a person’s relationships. As a result, his or her finances, physical well-being, and emotional well-being are affected. When a person is codependent, he or she may spend all of his or her money on another person for approval or to gain love. Also, as previously discussed, codependency makes a person crave control, experience low self-esteem, and be unable to set clear boundaries. As a result, the individual may become used by others. In certain cases, a person may become abused as well.
Overcoming Codependency And Addiction
Codependency and addiction often go hand-in-hand. Codependency and addiction do not have to take over a person’s life. However, to overcome these issues, a person must work hard and become disciplined.
Healing From Codependency
Overcoming codependency requires a person to become balanced. Instead of focusing on other people’s needs, a person must put his or her needs first. Also, a person must learn to become more assertive and to communicate more effectively. This includes setting boundaries to protect against this treatment.
For example, a person must stop lying on behalf of a loved one with a substance misuse disorder. Also, if a person with codependency and addiction issues becomes invited to a party that will be serving alcohol, he or she must decline the offer. Following these tips keeps a person on a sober path and makes it easier to form healthy relationships.
Overcoming Codependency And Addiction
To overcome codependency, a person must explore internal feelings. Pinpointing personal likes and goals is key. Throughout the process, an individual needs to exert kindness to himself or herself. Recovery can be an overwhelming process. However, practice, support, and consistency may bring success.
Tips For Reducing Codependency Tendencies
It is helpful to understand ways to reduce codependency tendencies. Also, it is critical to learn how to incorporate them into a codependency treatment plan.
- Speak positively
- Seek activities outside of a relationship/Begin new friendships
- Stand up for individual needs
- Don’t be afraid of the word “no”
- Consider therapy
Healing From Addiction
Surely, the first step of overcoming addiction is making the conscious decision to change. Specifically, it is important to set an achievable goal and to have a plan to quit misusing drugs and alcohol.
Next, a person must prepare to change. For example, he or she removes addictive substances from his or her home. In other words, terminating triggers help to keep a person on the right path. Quitting an addictive behavior, including drug or alcohol misuse, can be difficult, frustrating, and painful. Many individuals suffer intense withdrawal symptoms. Therefore, it is essential to seek professional help. Various therapies get to the root of the problem to gain sobriety in the long term.
Treatments Used At Miracles For Codependency And Addiction Recovery
At Miracles, we offer several treatment options to patients who are interested in long-term codependency and addiction recovery. We strive to help people separate from their codependency tendencies and realize their worth. Also, we provide a multitude of services that help individuals de
al with addiction issues. We perform full patient evaluations to determine the best courses of treatment possible.
In Particular, detox is the first period of treatment. We offer medical detox in a safe and relaxing environment. Also, we supply necessary clinical supervision. Trained professionals are always available for support.
Addiction Counseling Options At Miracles Recovery
Individual Therapy
During individual therapy, a clinician works to uncover the underlying problem that is linked to substance abuse. During sessions, a patient learns to identify triggers and to develop and implement healthy coping mechanisms to prevent relapse.
Group Therapy
Meeting in a group setting offers a wonderful means of support. Patients realize that they are not alone and that others understand the devastation and challenges of addiction. Also, family group sessions help loved ones learn the best ways to offer support as well.
Holistic Therapy
Frequently, patients respond best to holistic therapies, including meditation and similar relaxation techniques. This calms the mind and body. As a result, stress levels are lowered, which decreases anxiety that leads to substance abuse.
All of our therapies are available through partial hospital programs, intensive outpatient programs, and general outpatient programs. We understand the need to have a customized plan for treatment. We will do everything possible to make sure that all patients receive the care that they need. To take the first step towards help, contact us today.
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