Codependency is a learned behavior that happens as a result of an unhealthy relationship. A person in a bad relationship may exhibit multiple signs of codependency. Many times they are unaware of their codependent behavior until they discover it in a family therapy session.
Addiction treatment centers offer comprehensive care for couples or families experiencing codependency between a family member and the person with the addiction. With the right treatment, a family can heal from these broken relationships and move past the addiction together. If someone you love is in a codependent relationship, contact Sunflower Wellness Retreat today at 855.730.8825.
1. Hyper-Responsibility
An exaggerated sense of responsibility, or hyper-responsibility, has more to do with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) than it does with being a byproduct of addiction. A person who has an inflated sense of responsibility believes they have more control over the addiction that they actually do.
A person with hyper-responsibility makes every effort to control the person with the addiction. They may try to intervene in different, only to fail time and again. This can create severe conflict in the relationship. The more control the person attempts to exert over a family member or spouse, the more the addicted person pulls away.
2. Unhealthy Dependence on the Relationship
In a codependent relationship, one or both people in the relationship will do everything they can to hold on to the relationship regardless of the consequences. A person in the relationship might think that they cannot live their lives without the other person. They will also make an extra effort to avoid feelings of abandonment.
As a result, one person may end up manipulating the other person, threatening to leave or take drastic measures if their needs or requests are not met. Unhealthy dependence is one of the most common signs of codependency and occurs in various forms. A person will almost invariably do what it takes to stay with the other person, enabling them to continue their addiction.
3. An Obsessive Need for Approval
Another one of the most common signs of codependency is an obsessive need for approval. While most people want to be loved or noticed, a person in a codependent relationship demands that the other person notice them. Regardless of how much attention they receive, they always crave more.
In a relationship that involves addiction, one person in the relationship may feel that their efforts to help the other person go unnoticed. Likewise, the addicted person may feel that any success in combatting their addiction does not get approval. The person on the receiving end often has difficulty standing their ground against the person who demands approval.
4. Poor Self-Esteem
There are several indicators that a person has poor self-esteem, including:
- Constant comparison to other people
- Lack of value or self-worth
- Constantly asking others for their opinions
- Compulsive self-criticism
- Always trying to please others
- Inability to make decisions
A person who has low-self-esteem bases their worth on how well the relationship is doing. If the relationship is poor, they may blame themselves and not the addicted person. A substance abuse treatment program can help a person regain their sense of self-worth so that they do not continue in a destructive relationship.
5. Poor Communication Skills
Poor communication is among the leading signs of codependency. One or both parties in the relationship are not assertive enough to communicate their feelings or are abusive. A person who does a lot of yelling may still not say what they really mean or how they feel.
Manipulation is a critical factor in poor communication. A person may give someone the silent treatment in hopes of invoking a reaction. They may also be passive-aggressive or hold a grudge. Isolation, acting out, insults, and holding resentment are all forms of poor communication in codependent relationships.
Learn More at Sunflower Wellness Retreat
If you’re battling addiction, our team can help. We offer a range of treatment options, including:
- Residential treatment
- Partial hospitalization program
- Men’s addiction treatment
- Women’s addiction treatment
- Dual diagnosis treatment
If you’re in a codependent relationship, it’s critical to learn more about the signs of codependency. For more information, contact Sunflower Wellness Retreat at 855.730.8825.
