Have You Developed Codependent Behaviors? Part Two

Codependency is common among those who are recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. Thankfully, recovery is possible. See if you have any signs of codependency in your life by reading through the list below.

• You put yourself last in everything you do: If you’re not first, you’re last. This sentiment couldn’t be more true in codependency. Codependent behaviors place everyone and everything else high above oneself. When you are struggling with codependency, you struggle to give yourself any value because you do not know how to give yourself value. As a result, you put everyone else’s needs before your own. This is one of the most dangerous parts of codependency. The more blind you become to your needs, the more likely you are to engage in other harmful behaviors to have them met. Substance abuse, eating disorders, and other self-harming behaviors are common for people with codependency in their lives. Since you cannot meet your own needs or ask others to meet your needs, you find ways to perpetuate your feelings of low self-worth as a way of meeting your needs.

• You enable people’s bad behaviors just to keep them close: Low self-esteem and low self-worth are two common characteristics of people who have developed codependent behaviors. People attach themselves to others because they do not believe they are worth sticking up for themselves. Often, people who are codependent do not voice their opinion, get their needs met, or even know what their needs are because they categorize them as non important. Even when relationships are abusive and toxic, someone who has become codependent will stay in them. Problematically, codependent behavior enables others’ problematic behaviors.

• Your life suffers as a result of your codependent behaviors: Most people experience small forms of codependency in their relationships, but their lives don’t suffer as a result. Codependency can become extreme and damaging. You might place other people’s lives so far above your own that you stop caring for yourself. Your hygiene suffers. You don’t eat. You push people away. You don’t show up for your job. You lose your ability to be accountable or responsible for your own life because you are too busy doing so for others. If your codependency has started to have a negative effect on your life, the time is now to change. Through therapy, twelve step work, and a commitment to transformation, you can recover your relationship with yourself.  

The best move to make for recovery from drug abuse is the quickest move by calling and asking for help immediately. Recovery is possible and healing will take place in mind, body, and spirit. Enlightened Recovery Solutions offers a holistic based, 12-step inspired, clinically proven program for alcoholism and co-occurring disorders. Call (844) 234-LIVE today for information on our partial care programs.