Impact of Codependency on Addiction Recovery
There are varied ways in which codependent behavior manifests among members in a family context. The most common manifestation of the codependent behavior is demonstrating and exaggerated sense of responsibility for the actions that have been carried out by others. For instance, when an individual is engaged in non-convergent activities, the codependent individual would strive to cover his tracks or assume responsibility for the actions, without letting the individual bear the consequences of such works (Knapek, Balázs, & Szabó, 2017). The other manifestation of a codependent behavior tends to do more than it is expected of them, leading to them confusing pity and love and subsequently growing a feeling of pity and need to offer rescue.
On the other hand, codependency could adversely impact the road to recovery from addiction in different ways. First, the codependent relationships are key enabling influences in the lives of the individuals battling addiction. In most instances, codependent partners would try to go an extra length to continue feeling loved. In this case, they would yield to the demands and cravings of the individual experiencing addiction for fear of losing the love of these individuals (Knapek, Balázs, & Szabó, 2017). In some cases, the partner or family member could ride on addiction to maintain the relationship, making it relatively easy for instances of increased risk of relapse for the individual battling addiction (Bortolon et al., 2017). Additionally, owing to codependency, the partner or family member could ignore the strict adherence to the treatment plan in place in a bid to please the addicted individual. Such instances could lead to relapse and slowed the recovery process.
On strategy that could be used to address codependence is integrating it into the individual’s treatment plan. Such an initiative would ensure that the individual battling addiction is not influenced negatively by codependent behaviors. In the case where the partner or family member is codependent, there is a need to provide behavioral and personal therapy. The intervention would help the individual in drawing boundaries, setting goals, and defining needs that of mutual benefit to both parties (Bortolon et al., 2017). Such instances would reduce the risk of relapse immensely.
References
Bortolon, C. B., Moreira, T. D. C., Signor, L., Guahyba, B. L., Figueiró, L. R., Ferigolo, M., & Barros, H. M. T. (2017). Six-month outcomes of a randomized, motivational tele-intervention for change in the codependent behavior of family members of drug users. Substance use & misuse, 52(2), 164-174.
Knapek, É., Balázs, K., & Szabó, I. K. (2017). The substance abuser’s partner: Do codependent individuals have borderline and dependent personality disorder?. Addiction is a treatable disease.