Most people understand what addiction means. Some of them may have also heard the term “codependent.” There is a connection between the two concepts that everyone might not necessarily be aware of, though.
Someone dealing with addiction and codependency may need to look into the benefits of partial hospitalization programs. They may even need an inpatient hospitalization program in some instances.
Before you take that step, though, you might want to know some strategies for overcoming addiction-related codependency. We’ll run through some of those right now.
What is Codependency in Addiction?
Addiction codependency is sometimes called “love addiction” or “relationship addiction.” It refers to when someone is in a relationship with another person that is unhealthy because of the psychological dependence that one person has on the other.
Many mental health professionals have theorized that some addiction behaviors can be made worse by dependence on someone close to the addict. Now, let’s talk about ways to get away from addiction by breaking the cycle of codependency.
Use a Support Group
Sometimes, an addict will actually have a harder time getting free of their addiction if they’re normally around the same people when they use their chosen drug. These individuals might want to help the person struggling with addiction, but they’re impeding the process instead.
The solution can be for the addict to get help from a support group. These individuals can propose some fresh treatment ideas while they commiserate with the afflicted person.
Couples Counseling
Couples counseling can also help. When codependency and addiction struggles go hand in hand, a professional counselor can propose some solutions that the addict and the person with whom they are codependent might not have been able to think of on their own.
One-On-One Therapy
One-on-one therapy, also called individual therapy, might work as well. That’s another situation where the addict can seek help from someone qualified away from the person with whom they have a codependent relationship and an unhealthy attachment.
Setting Up and Respecting Boundaries
In codependent relationships, the addict and the person with whom they are codependent may have a set of behaviors they keep duplicating over time. Getting away from these behaviors and out of their comfort zones might be part of what helps the addict get clean.
The afflicted individual may need to learn to make their own decisions completely separate from the person with whom they have an unhealthy connection. However, the person with whom they have a codependent relationship may be uncomfortable letting them do that because they do not have any direct input on the process. In time, they should learn to respect the boundaries that have been put in place.
Spending Time Away from the Relationship
One final way addiction recovery can be facilitated is for the person struggling with addiction to make friends and spend time with them away from the individual with whom they have the codependency. The harder that is for them, the more of an indication it’s the right thing to do.