Codependency can cause many problems in addition to those problems created by the drug and alcohol abuse itself. Individuals who suffer from codependency find that their happiness is often tied to an abusive person and the individual sense of identity and well-being is dependent on that person. The term codependency itself describes the destructive relationship between alcohol or drugs, the person dependent on the alcohol or drugs and a second person who is dependent on the person who is dependent on alcohol or drugs.

If this sounds confusing it is but it is also a very painful relationship that reinforces itself and becomes very powerful and destructive. If you or a loved one is abusing drugs and/or alcohol, it is important that close relationships are examined for codependency and treated. If you worry about how much a love one drinks and find yourself trying to cover up their problem to the outside world, you may have a problem with codependency.

Codependency has been recognized as a personality disorder by the American Psychiatric Association. Codependency is characterized as the voluntary attachment of self-esteem to the ability to influence and control the behaviors of others even when the result is an increase of consequences. The need to influence another can become so extreme that the self is ignored. Happiness and security are tied another person so deeply that the relationship becomes enmeshed and the primary focus of daily activities.

When two lives are intertwined and one seeks treatment for drug and alcohol abuse, the other should be a part of the solution as well and seek treatment for codependency. Treatment for codependency can also be very effective even when the alcoholic or drug addict is unwilling to seek treatment. The bottom line is that true happiness and contentment is the responsibility of the individual and releasing the obsession with another person's behavior can be the first step in living a dignified life.

Professional intervention is often required to treat codependency to counteract the feelings of guilt, shame and habits of thought and behavior. The treatment for codependency allows individuals to live free of the burdens of others, to allow others to make mistakes and not cover them up or make excuses for them. It can be difficult to let those we love fall into a crisis even of their own making but we begin to understand that we cannot prevent the inevitable course of events and being realistic about our relationship roles.

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