A term referring to the effects that people who are dependent on alcohol or other substances have on those around them, including the attempts of those people to manage the chemically dependent person. The term implies that the family’s actions tend to perpetuate (enable) the person’s dependence.
An emotional and behavioral state characterized by exaggerated concern for other people or events and insufficient concern for oneself. Codependency is theorized to arise from any number of ” dysfunctional’ ‘ situations, including the extremely stressful circumstances created by family members who are dependent on alcohol or drugs. Codependent individuals, who typically lack self-esteem and experience profound depression, may require treatment.
ln psychology, unintentional or conscious reinforcement of another person’s addictive or self-destructive behaviors.
A condition in which a family member or friend sacrifices his or her own needs to meet the needs of an addict.