The Dangers Of Codependency And Addiction

The Dangers Of Codependency And Addiction

• Kate Pindera
• 3 Jun 2024

One of the most damaging relationships when it comes to substance abuse is the combination of codependency and addiction.

These behaviours support and reinforce each other, leading to severe consequences for the people involved. If left unchecked, this relationship can become life-threatening. So, what exactly are the dangers of codependency and drug addiction?

We explain everything you need to know about codependency and its role in drug addiction and alcoholism, a relatively complex and nuanced field of addiction psychology here.

What Is Codependency? 

To understand why these two relationships are so damaging together, we need to understand what codependency actually is.

Codependency is a particular kind of relationship in which one party is entirely reliant on the other in many aspects of their lives. A classic example of this kind of relationship would be a couple made up of a person with an alcoholic or drug addiction and a partner who does not have any substance abuse problems. These two very distinct roles are characterized by personality and relationship traits defining one party as the “addict” and one as the “caretaker.”

The Addict 

The person with a substance use disorder is the person in the relationship who has developed a drug or alcohol problem and relies on their partner to carry them through life. They usually form codependent relationships out of a necessity to feel supported and close to someone, even if it comes at the expense of their autonomy.

Addicts in a codependent relationship often exhibit typical signs and symptoms associated with their addiction, such as depression, guilt, and despair.

The Caretaker 

The other half of a codependent relationship is the caretaker. Unlike a healthy caretaking relationship, such as one with a nurse or close family member, this type of caretaker can’t be alone, has intense and chaotic relationships, feels chronically lonely, is excessively controlling, manipulative, and has an overwhelming need for affection.

The caretaker, also known as “codependent,” prioritizes the “addict’s” needs above their own, sometimes even letting their health and well-being suffer considerably in the process. They subconsciously enable their behaviour, allowing the person with an addiction to relapse into destructive behaviours so they will continue to rely on them and maintain their mutually reliant relationship. Simply put, while the addicts are addicted to a substance, caretakers are addicted to looking after the addicts.

What Are the Signs of Codependency? 

Addiction and codependency tend to go hand in hand when it comes to the symptoms. Common signs include:

• Low self-esteem and depression
• An intense craving for other people’s approval
• Trouble with establishing healthy boundaries in many relationships
• Overly controlling or domineering personality traits 
• Underdeveloped communicator
• An unhealthy obsession with what other people think
• Intimacy issues

The signs of codependency can fuel drug addiction or alcoholism through fostering unhealthy relationships with other people as well as the substance of abuse. A person with an addiction will struggle to start their journey to sobriety when a part of a codependent relationship.

The Relationship Between Codependency and Addiction

People with substance use disorder often have difficulty with money, employment, health, personal relationships, and emotional control, allowing the codependent caretaker to enter the picture and help. Codependent caretakers thrive off looking after someone else to the extent that they will make all their decisions for them and exert an excessive amount of control over them. 

Codependents often cover for their addict partners, making excuses for them and ultimately enabling them to continue their addiction so that they can continue to look after them.

How to Treat Codependency and Addiction 

Treating codependency and addiction is a journey marked by compassion and understanding, a commitment the experts at Freedom From Addiction embrace. Our approach is rooted in a holistic understanding prioritizing each individual’s emotional, psychological, and behavioural well-being.

Focusing on nurturing these aspects, our dedicated team offers a range of effective strategies designed to guide and support this transformative process.

Individual Therapy 

Individual therapy is one of the most common types of professional help for anyone struggling with codependency and drug addiction. Here, a codependent person works one-on-one with a trained counsellor, creating an environment where they can discuss their codependent relationships.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), for instance, helps people understand how their thoughts and feelings can affect their behaviour. It’s based on the idea that negative thought patterns can lead to negative behaviours and emotions. 

This can be seen in a dysfunctional relationship, such as those between a person with addiction and their caretaker, often a family member. By changing these negative thought patterns to positive ones, codependent people can change how they feel and act.

CBT is a practical and goal-oriented approach, focusing on underlying causes and finding solutions. It’s a supportive, collaborative approach where therapists and clients work together to achieve better mental health and well-being. Other evidence-based therapies that can be used are Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Solutions-Focused Therapy, and more.

Group Therapy 

Group therapy, on the other hand, is a form of therapy where a small group of people meet regularly with a trained therapist. A person with an alcohol or drug problem can attend these supportive group meetings, allowing them to meet people with the same experiences, struggles, and feelings.

In group therapy, patients can:

• Be part of a group, allowing them to realize they’re not alone in their struggles
• Hear another codependent person and their stories, providing comfort and validation of what they’re going through and reducing any feeling of shame, stigma, or isolation
• Get support and foster a sense of belonging and understanding
• Learn new coping strategies, communication techniques, and other skills from both the therapist and another person with addiction codependency
• Increase their self-awareness, gaining more insights into their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours
• Have a safe space to express their emotions openly and honestly
• Motivate themselves to make positive changes and stay focused on their journey to recovery

Related: Group or Individual Therapy: Which is Best?

Image Source: Canva

Family Therapy 

In family therapy, the pain and suffering the addiction causes codependent family members are recognized. A family program aims to provide support, helping people with addiction maintain relationships. 

In our Family Program, we help educate families and their loved ones about:

• The cycle of addiction
• Relapse prevention
• Boundaries
• Caretaking
• Co-dependency
• Enabling
• Self-care

This program is held once a week, providing loved ones with a dedicated space to share their experiences and feelings with others going through similar situations.

Combined Treatment Options 

At Freedom From Addiction, patients can access various evidence-based therapies addressing their codependency and drug addiction. By combining therapy modalities, lifestyle interventions, and other support services, people struggling with substance abuse can receive a comprehensive and holistic approach to addressing their mental health concerns. This approach considers all aspects of a person’s well-being.

Healthcare professionals also develop personalized treatment plans based on the individual’s unique needs, preferences, and goals, ensuring interventions are tailored to each person’s specific challenges and strengths.

Continued Support and Aftercare 

Continued support and aftercare are essential components of long-term recovery and well-being after completing initial treatment or therapy. This ongoing support system provides individuals suffering from addiction and codependency with the resources, guidance, and encouragement they need to maintain their progress and navigate life’s challenges effectively.

From support groups to life-skills building, Freedom From Addiction’s Continuing Care Program aims to help maintain hard-earned progress, build a patient’s resilience, and cultivate a fulfilling life grounded on wellness and self-awareness.

Can Codependency and Addiction Be Treated? 

Treating codependency and addiction is a complex undertaking that involves balancing many different aspects of these intense relationships. They’re best treated at a substance addiction treatment centre, where an addicted person has access to medical professionals and an environment free of temptation. 

Here, the damaging aspects of a codependent relationship are brought to light, usually for the first time in the eyes of the person with an addiction and the codependent. This can be particularly challenging for the codependent, as they may not see the harm their actions are causing and believe they are supporting an addicted person.

Some codependent relationships can’t be treated, and if they continue the addiction issues are unlikely to be resolved effectively. When both parties in the relationship accept and acknowledge the damaging elements of their union, treatment can prove very effective in creating a healthy future. 

Treatment for the addiction will be combined with individual and couples therapy to help establish boundaries, identify and limit damaging behaviours, and give the individuals the tools to recognize if the relationship were to slide back towards codependency.

Take the First Steps Toward Healthier Relationships 

Freedom From Addiction is one of the leading drug and alcohol addiction treatment centres in Ontario, specialising in helping people with a substance use disorder on their journey to sobriety in a safe and inclusive environment. 

Our treatment programs include the identification and treatment of any codependent relationships, giving our clients the best chance at a bright, clean future. 

Contact us today and begin your journey to freedom tomorrow.