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Codependency

Jacob Spilman, LPC, LMFT, CEAP
 
Spilman & Associates LLC
Individual, Couples, Marital Counseling and Psychotherapy    
Portland Oregon
  833 SW 11th Avenue, Suite 218
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 227-3187
jacobspilman@msn.com

What is Codependency?

Originally, Alcoholics Anonymous understood that family members of alcoholics were profoundly affected by the alcoholic’s drinking.  Those family members who were affected by the alcoholics were called codependents.  Codependency is not a psychiatric illness or a formal personality type.  Codependency is the adaptation that an individual makes to an addicted family member.  Whether you are a spouse, child, parent or sibling of an addict is irrelevant.  The drug use of one family member usually affects the emotions and behavior of the entire family. Think of it this way, if someone in your family suffered from cancer, all of the family would be emotionally affected.  Likewise, someone with an addiction will emotionally affect the rest of their family.

Understanding Codependency examines how this adaptation process occurs.

Please click here for the PowerPoint Presentation:  Codependency.

For Information on 12-Step Programs and Codependency click on: 12-Step Links.