Abstract
Codependency is a condition among individuals who enjoy taking care of others, even if that help is not wanted. The concept of codependency includes many behaviors that are not healthy. Codependent individuals typically are in relationships with individuals who have drug abuse or chemical dependence issues. Treatment can help these individuals repair their lives and build healthier relationships.
Codependency
Codependency is a term most often associated with family members of individuals who have an addiction although the term may apply to any relationship. Codependency may elapse one generation to the next, even after eradication of chemical addictions (DiClemente, 2006). The word codependency may be difficult to define because of widespread use in many venues. For the purposes of this paper codependency will be defined in more than one venue.
Codependency describes “a set of maladaptive, compulsive behaviors learned by family members to survive in an emotionally painful and stressful environment” (DiClemente, 2006). Codependency is also defined as “…too much, and often inappropriate, caring for other people’s struggles” (Wikipedia, 2006). Melody Beattie, the author of a popular self-help book about codependency claims, “a codependent person is one who has let another person’s behavior affect him or her, and who is obsessed with controlling that person’s behavior” (Beattie, 1992).