Codependency Treatment

Let’s start with a clear definition of what codependency is. Codependency is often classified as a psychological situation where one individual is too invested in another individuals issues, often inappropriately. This condition can take on different symptoms, if you will, depending on the level of codependency and the addiction issues present. For some, control is the main component in their codependent relationship. For other individuals, it might be the desire to fix situations for the other person. Whatever the motivation, codependency in relationships is a marker of dysfunction and requires codependency treatment plans.

For individuals needing codependency treatment, there are oven underlying issues that can contribute to these sorts of relationships. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has referred to codependency as a situation where “another individual, perhaps the addict’s spouse or family member, is controlled by an addict’s addictive behavior”. When this sort of inappropriate dependence on another exists, it can actually contribute to drug abuse or drug dependency.

Individuals struggling codependency issues usually have a history of sexual abuse, childhood trauma, family members with heroin addiction, MDMA addiction or illicit drug addiction of their own. It is not unusual for these individuals to seek relationships with others who have alcohol addiction themselves. Intimacy disorders and past domestic abuse also appear to impact the likelihood that these individuals will seek out relationships that are codependent. Codependency treatment is important for the support partner of an addict as they are often left out of treatment plans. When there are codependency issues and substance addiction problems, Coastline advises intensive codependency treatment for those individuals needing help regrouping while their loved one is in an alcohol rehab center in Huntington Beach.

Codependency treatment is a process that cannot be rushed. Much like addiction treatment in Huntington Beach, dealing with codependency before inpatient rehab is completed is vital to the success of addiction recovery for addicts. Without renewed hope, clear boundaries, and realistic expectations, the risk of slipping back into unhealthy patterns is quite high. The process of wading through the emotional and psychological issues can be very difficult and painful. Often times codependency treatment requires clients to be willing to acknowledge denial and unhealthy coping responses that have contributed to the codependency.