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Codependency and alcoholism go together because
they are two sides of a dysfunctional relationship
that reinforce each other. Alcoholism was
classified as a disease nearly 50 years ago
and has been well established as a disorder
of the mind and body. Alcoholics have lost
the choice of whether to drink or not and
continue to do so despite increasingly severe
consequences to their health, job, relationships
and freedom. Codependency often surrounds
the alcoholic and is displayed by loved ones,
friends and even coworkers who find themselves
being continually compromised by a problem
drinker.
Codependents
of an alcoholic have established unhealthy
coping behaviors in which they believe they
are reducing the pain created by the disease
of alcoholism. From controlling behaviors
such as empty threats to making a wide variety
of excuses for the destructive behavior of
the alcoholic, the codependent finds their
happiness and well being strongly tied to
the behaviors of the problem drinker.
This involvement
increases to the point of enmeshment as both
codependency and alcoholism progress in a
downward spiral of dysfunction. Frequent arguments
and unrealistic expectations are created by
desires for perfection. Becoming preoccupied
with another person and being defined by another
person are classic characteristics of the
relationship between codependency and alcoholism.
Spencer Recovery
Centers understands that for healthy relationships,
both the alcoholic and codependent must seek
treatment. It is a common misunderstanding
that the alcoholic is the source of all the
problems and it is true that alcoholism can
be the center of destruction for many people.
However, the coping mechanisms of codependency
are such that they require destructive behaviors
like those surrounding alcoholism in order
to create the validation that codependents
seek.
If you are close
to a person you believe might be suffering
from alcoholism, Spencer Recovery Centers
encourages you to call us for help today.
We are a highly effective rehabilitation center
that has been serving the recovery community
for over a decade and have helped thousands
of alcoholics find recovery from their disease.
We also provide counseling for the family
and loved ones to address important codependency
issues and behaviors. These behaviors must
be dealt with in order for the relationship
to recover and are significant for aiding
in recovery from alcoholism.
Call us today
for the answers to your questions and to learn
more about the wide variety of our programs.
If you have
a loved one, family member, friend or even
co-worker who is struggling with a drinking
or drug problem, you may find yourself exhibiting
codependent behaviors in order to cope with
the situations that arise from substance abuse.
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