Codependency and addiction are two very different mental health conditions that are often linked to one another.
That being said, there are a lot of similarities between codependency and addiction that link the two to each other.
Codependency is also known as relationship addiction. It's the reliance and dependence on someone or something to get by, much like addiction is. And a lot of the time, addicts tend to rely on their loved ones to get by as well.
Let's learn more about the connection between codependency and addiction.
What is Codependency?
Codependency is a relationship in which people are emotionally, mentally, physically, or spiritually dependent on one another. One partner may feel like they need their partner to get by while their partner will need to feel needed. The codependent partner or the giver will keep giving and giving while the taker will keep taking and taking until there's nothing left. It can be a vicious cycle to break. This type of relationship is unhealthy and dysfunctional. Codependency can happen between romantic partners but also between family members or friends.
What is Addiction?
Addiction is a disease and chronic condition that involves using and abusing substances like drugs or alcohol. Other types of addiction can also involve behavior or impulse control. Individuals who suffer from addiction will rely on substances to get by despite the negative consequences of taking these substances. Addiction can harm someone's health, career, relationships, and overall life.
The Connection
Not all individuals who are codependent will also have an addiction, but a lot of the time people who have an addiction will also be involved in a codependent relationship in some way. Here are a few of the ways that codependency and addiction often go hand in hand.
Emotional Dependence
In both scenarios of codependency and addiction, the people involved have an unhealthy reliance and dependence on someone or something else. With codependency, a person is emotionally dependent on their partner to feel fulfilled and validated for their worth and identity. With addiction, a person is emotionally dependent on a substance to cope with their negative emotions or stressors.
Shared Signs and Symptoms
Codependency and addiction may be two completely different health conditions, but that doesn't mean that they can't share some common signs and symptoms with one another. Some of the actions, behaviors, and signs and symptoms that are shared between the two conditions are:
Avoidance
Denial
Difficulty expressing and managing emotions
Lack of autonomy
Low self-esteem
Unhealthy coping mechanisms
The Cycle
Codependency can cause the people in this unhealthy relationship dynamic to enable one another's behaviors. The codependent partner may allow the person who has an addiction to continue with their destructive and sabotaging behaviors and actions. This could include enabling actions like covering up for them, especially if they make mistakes, or supporting them emotionally or financially.
Family Systems
Codependency and addiction both have the capability of impacting an entire family instead of just one or two people within that family dynamic. As a family, you always want to make sure that the members within that group are healthy, happy, and safe. This means that family members may try to work to be more accommodating of their addicted family member's behaviors, which can cause more dysfunction within the family dynamic.
Next Steps
One of the first steps towards overcoming codependency as well as addiction is to be able to recognize the signs, symptoms, and any associated patterns. Seeking additional support through a licensed and trained mental health professional is necessary to overcome any type of addiction, relationship, or substance abuse. Reach out to us today if you're interested in learning more about codependency therapy.