Codependency and addiction often go hand in hand. While each is a diagnosis, both can stand alone, and professional treatment can address them independently. At Gateway Foundation, we specialize in dual diagnosis services to evaluate both conditions and provide a comprehensive treatment program.
It’s essential to understand codependency and the leading causes and symptoms of the disorder so you know when to seek help for yourself and a loved one.
Codependency is a term used in relationships where a person emotionally relies on a partner. The dysfunctional pattern of behavior and emotional dependence often occurs in relationships involving substance use or addiction. Many people who are considered codependent are deeply impacted by others’ feelings, emotions, and behaviors, which can result in one-sided, emotionally damaging, or abusive relationships.
In a codependent relationship, one person has an unhealthy reliance on the other, while the other will do whatever it takes to please their partner. The codependent person often focuses excessively on the needs and well-being of the person with addiction, to the detriment of their own needs and boundaries. The dynamic creates a cycle of codependency that can be challenging to break.
Codependent people also often fear abandonment or being alone, leading them to stay in unhealthy relationships. They may experience significant emotional distress, resentment, and a sense of powerlessness in the relationship.
Addiction and codependency can have a complex, intertwined relationship. Codependent people often enable or support their loved one’s addictive behaviors to maintain control and stability. These behaviors reinforce the cycle of addiction, making it harder for the person with substance use disorder to get help.
Here’s a breakdown of what a relationship looks like with codependency and addiction:
Ultimately, codependency in the context of addiction involves enabling and caretaking for the person with the addiction. The codependent partner often prioritizes their partner’s needs over their well-being and engages in caretaking roles to control and attempt to fix the problems caused by addictive behaviors. This might include:
Caretaking and enabling perpetuate the cycle of addiction, preventing the person with addiction from recognizing the impact of their actions and seeking help.
Addiction often fuels codependency by creating a sense of chaos, instability, and emotional turmoil in relationships. Unpredictability and a desire to maintain control can quickly become a massive part of your relationship. You might focus excessively on your partner due to wanting to manage or fix their problems and become hypervigilant by constantly monitoring their behaviors.
Codependency and addiction are often linked because both conditions stem from underlying emotional or mental health issues. Codependent people often have low self-esteem, a fear of abandonment, and difficulty setting boundaries. These patterns are often rooted in childhood experiences, dysfunctional family dynamics, or past trauma. At the same time, addiction can be exacerbated by mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and trauma.
If you are in a cycle of codependency with someone struggling with substance or alcohol use disorder, it’s crucial to seek professional help. The sooner you recognize the problem, the sooner you can seek help and start healing.
Gateway Foundation offers various treatments to help you and your partner prioritize your health and heal from the effects of the codependent relationship and addiction:
You can overcome substance use disorder and codependency issues with the right personalized treatment plan. If you’re struggling, codependency rehabilitation centers can help you recover and begin developing healthy relationships.
Gateway’s codependent and addiction treatment strategies are effective because we address issues within the family unit. Our family support and programming help:
Professional treatment, therapy, and support groups can help people caught up in a cycle of addiction and codependency. Here are a few benefits of seeking treatment for this co-occurring disorder:
Addressing addiction and codependency can promote better health and wellness. Therapy and treatment can teach you healthier coping skills and manage stress effectively — leading to improved sleep, more energy, and enhanced emotional well-being. It can also help codependent individuals improve their self-esteem and live productive lives.
The best treatment will help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself, including patterns of behavior and underlying causes of addiction and codependency. Self-awareness can help you grow, make positive changes, and break from destructive cycles. For instance, therapy might help a codependent partner address underlying issues that cause them to enable and prioritize others’ needs above their own. At the same time, substance use disorder treatment can help a person identify unhealthy thought patterns and behaviors that lead to addiction.
Treatment and therapy can help you learn how to express your needs, set boundaries and engage in healthy dialogue. As a result, you can appreciate more beneficial relationships and fewer conflicts with others. More transparent communication can also help you reach out when you need help.
Seeking help for co-occurring addiction and codependency opens the door to a more fulfilling, meaningful life. With recovery comes the opportunity to explore personal goals and rediscover passions. You can grow and heal, enjoy healthier relationships, and live a life that aligns with your values. The more accessible you feel from codependency and other conditions, the more prepared you are to embrace the activities and loved ones that make you feel whole.
Codependency and addiction can be a challenging and complex cycle to break. Thankfully, various treatment options can help. If you or a loved one is struggling, Gateway Foundation can provide the tools and support to help you heal. Our comprehensive codependency treatment programs include evidence-based therapies, compassionate care, and individualized treatment plans for your unique needs.
Our experienced team can guide you to break from destructive patterns and establish healthier relationships. Contact us to learn more about our codependency treatment programs — we’re in this together.