Codependence and Alcohol Abuse – Identifying Codependent Behavior and Coping Strategies

The harmful effects of a drinker’s alcohol addiction on the family are undeniable. Living with an alcoholic forces family members to adopt very predictable coping behaviors. In an effort to deal with the drinker, a family member may become “codependent”. This is someone who becomes attached to the addict and his or her problems and who feels terribly threatened by possible loss of the relationship. Examples of codependent behavior may include:

The drinker makes a mess; the codependent(s) clean it up.
The drinker hides bottles; the codependent(s) find and discard them.
The drinker is nasty; this feels like the codependent(s) fault.
The drinker is irresponsible; the codependent(s) become more responsible.
The drinker spends recklessly; the codependent(s) save frantically.
The drinker threatens abandonment; the codependent(s) cling even more.

In this type of relationship, the codependent’s own needs are generally neglected. Studies have shown the physical and emotional consequences of codependency to include depression, anxiety, relationship dysfunctions, and cycling between hyperactivity and lethargy. Physical problems can also often result from this self-neglect. They may include gastrointestinal disturbances, colitis, ulcers, migraine headaches, rashes and skin problems, high blood pressure, insomnia, sleep disorders, and other stress-related illnesses. Along with these physical side effects, codependents often become hostile, controlling, manipulative, and lay guilt trips. They yell, pour alcohol down the sink and want to know why the addict is doing all this to them. But, regretfully, they are always ready and able to rescue the addict from the next self-created disaster.

A codependent relationship causes one to feel responsible for the addict’s feelings, thoughts, actions, choices, needs, wellbeing, and ultimately, the drinker’s destiny. As a result, the codependent offers unwanted advice, feels compelled to help, gives more than they receive, and then feels angry, victimized, unappreciated, abused, and neglected. The more he or she sacrifices, the less respect the drinker will have for him or her. There are some tell-tale signs of a codependent relationship. If any of the following questions apply to your current relationship and living situation, you may be trapped in a codependent relationship:

Are you anxious before holidays or events fearing the drinker may disrupt them?
Have you ever lied to employers, relatives, or friends to hide alcohol use?
Have you ever hidden car keys, or thrown out alcohol to control the drinker?
Do you ever find yourself searching for empty bottles?
Have you ever felt embarrassed or compelled to apologize for the drinker?
Have you ever asked the drinker to stop or cut down on alcohol use?
Do other family members fear or avoid this person after they drink?
Do you have money problems because of someone else’s drinking?
Do you feel if the drinker loves you he or she would stop to please you?
Have you made threats, such as, “If you don’t stop drinking, I’ll leave you?”
Do you think if the drinker just stopped your problems would be solved?
Are you feeling angry or perhaps depressed most of the time?

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions you may be living with someone who is dependent on alcohol, and you may have become codependent. Fortunately, this type of relationship can be reversed. The first step is to learn as much as you can about addiction science and the effects of continued alcohol abuse on the brain. New, comprehensive recovery methods have shown success in combating this illness so people can take back their lives.

 

Substance Abuse Training: PowerPoint, DVD, or Web Course for Training on Substance Abuse

 

workexcel.net – Substance abuse training for employee or supervisors must cover key concepts. They include the different drugs of abuse (their classifications) and solid substance abuse training on alcohol. Alcohol, alcohol abuse, and alcoholism are the toughest challenges for any training program because this substance of abuse is the most confusing. Alcohol abuse has been around for thousands of years, so being able to explain it clearly so employees in substance abuse training aren’t confused, but instead, actually self-diagnose or discover facts that zap their myths and misconceptions about four distinct things: alcoholism, alcohol abuse, addiction, cause of addiction, the myth of psychological dependency or addiction, and denial, enabling, and what effective treatment includes. This program includes alcohol abuse in the workplace, and it is powerful. workexcel.net

 

 

Drug & Alcohol Treatment Center Passages Ventura Celebrates Three Years of …

Filed under: alcohol abuse addiction

Passages Ventura drug and alcohol addiction treatment center celebrates its third birthday next week. Passages Ventura drug and alcohol substance abuse treatment center – the sister rehab facility to the world-famous Passages Malibu – celebrates three …
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Singer Judy Collins to speak at Father Martin's Ashley

Filed under: alcohol abuse addiction

The luncheon celebrates and honors the lives of women in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Collins overcame addiction when entering treatment in 1978, and has been living a life of recovery for over 30 years, according to her biography.
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Prescription for disaster

Filed under: alcohol abuse addiction

Pills, pills, pills. All are addictive. If abused and mixed together, or combined with alcohol, they can be lethal. Welcome to the 21st century, where mood-altering drugs no longer need to be procured through illegal transactions in back alleys.
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