May 5, 2014 | By Tim Stoddart

Resources for Codependents

Mental Health

In the world of addiction, addicts aren’t the only ones who may need help. Friends and family members are also negatively impacted by addiction. Sometimes those friends or family members may suffer from a condition called codependency. Codependency is a serious psychological condition that can have devastating effects.

Codependents are the people who are being manipulated by the addict so much so that they put their own needs last. Codependents become dependent on the addict to make them feel needed. Taking care of the addict becomes their priority, to the point that it’s detrimental to everyone involved. Codependents often have low self-esteem and are in denial about the reality of the situation.

When addicts seek help for themselves, codependents often feel lost and confused, and it’s important for them to get help, too. If you recognize codependent characteristics in yourself, you can seek help even if the addict in your life doesn’t. Here are some resources that codependents can look into.

Individual Counseling

One of the most effective ways to deal with codependency issues is with a private therapist who specializes in codependency. In therapy, you’ll work through the underlying issues that are causing your codependency, as well as deal with things such as low self-esteem. You’ll learn ways to take care of yourself and prevent yourself from becoming codependent again. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration can help you find a counselor by calling 1-800-662-HELP or visiting the SAMHSA.gov website and using their online treatment locator.

Co-Dependents Anonymous

Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDA) is a fellowship similar to Alcoholics Anonymous. Their website CoDA.org has many resources for codependents. There are helpful reading materials. You can also search for CoDA meetings near you. They have meetings all over the world, and it can be extremely helpful to attend one. Through CoDA, you can meet other people who you can relate to and learn from, and building a support system is an excellent tactic for dealing with codependency. There are also online meetings you can attend at OnlineCoDa.net .

Al-Anon/Alateen

Al-Anon and Alateen are intended as support groups for people who are friends and family members of alcoholics. They are modeled on the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous. Visit Al-Anon.Alateen.org in order to locate a meeting near you. With these fellowships, you will also be able to find people to relate to you and support you.

Online Resources

If you search around online, you can find many different resources for learning about and coping with codependency. For example, there are forums where you can talk to other codependents, such as http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Codependency/forum . A quiz at http://www.codependencynomore.com/codependency-quiz-2/ can tell you if you’re a codependent. Mental Health America has some great information on codpendency at http://mentalhealthamerica.net/co-dependency and so does PsychCentral at http://psychcentral.com/lib/symptoms-of-codependency/00011992.

Residential Treatment

Codependency is often treated like a disease just like addiction, so there are some residential treatment options. Centers like The Bridge to Recovery (http://www.thebridgetorecovery.com/) and The Meadows (http://www.themeadows.com/conditions-we-treat/codependency)have codependency programs. Breakthrough at Caron (http://www.breakthroughatcaron.org/) and The Recovery Workshop for Codepdency at Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches (http://www.codependency-recovery.com/codependency) are short-term programs, and there are others, too. We do not officially advocate any of these programs, so please do thorough research before choosing to attend any facility.

Lisa M. Hann is a freelance writer specializing in addiction and recovery. She has a B.A. in Journalism from Temple University. She has been sober since 2010, and she resides in New Jersey with her son. She’s the author of the books How to Have Fun in Recovery and 365 Ways to Have Fun Sober.