Codependency and Alcoholism: How Does One Affect the Other?
The basic description of codependency is that it is a term that defines a dysfunctional relationship where a person becomes psychologically dependent on a person who has an addiction.
This creates a serious power imbalance and often results in a toxic relationship. In order to break this particular cycle, it often requires the person with the addiction to seek treatment using a premier alcohol detox center.
Here is a look at how codependency and alcoholism are so intertwined and what impact they have on each other.
The fundamental relationship between codependency and alcoholism
An alcoholic may well seek to take advantage of a codependent relationship. They might do this in a calculating way, or they could actually be in a state of mind where they unwittingly end up relying on another person to give them the support they need.
Either way, the relationship is exploitative. What is important to understand is that the codependency relationship is not always going to be the alcoholic’s partner. It might be that exploit emotional ties with a parent, for instance.
When a person with alcoholism needs to complete certain tasks or requires financial support it is likely that they will lean on the other person to get what they need and want.
How easy is it to spot a codependent alcoholic?
There are several classic signs that should be red flag when it comes to identifying a codependency situation.
An alcoholic’s codependent behavior is largely controlled by their need to drink and achieve the support needed to achieve that goal.
If an alcoholic is consistently asking the other person for money, or struggling to maintain their regular work and financial commitments these can be classic symptoms of a codependent alcoholic.
A lack of personal responsibility is also a clear indication of someone who could be categorized as a codependent alcoholic.
The impact of codependency and alcoholism
There are numerous relationship issues that arise as a result of a codependent relationship linked to alcoholism.
The person who is being used by an alcoholic for all of their emotional and financial needs may start to feel a low level of self-esteem. They may end up neglecting other relationships as a result of feeling they need to focus all of their time and attention on supporting an alcoholic.
This sort of pressure can soon take a heavy emotional and physical toll, leading to exhaustion and other health problems.
Finding a solution
It is abundantly clear that a codependent alcoholic needs to receive the right level of addiction treatment and therapeutic support if they are going to be able to overcome their reliance on another person.
The provision of a suitable addiction treatment program combined with suitable family therapy can help to break the cycle of dependency and offer a way forward that creates a more balanced relationship in the future.
When control of a relationship is so one-sided it can only lead to problems. Codependency and alcoholism are very real issues that need a solution. Treatment is available to provide that much-needed solution.
