Get Help to Overcome Codependent Relationships at Icarus
If you find yourself in unhealthily intertwined relationships or have a family dynamic where someone else is overly dependent on you, this article is for you. Codependent behaviors can have more of an impact on your life and well-being than you expect.
So, what exactly is codependency? Once you identify codependent patterns, what can you do about them? The resources and programs of support available at Icarus in New Mexico are a great starting point, and we’re glad you’ve found this valuable resource!
To begin, we’ll define codependency and go over the signs of a codependent relationship. Then, we’ll talk about the risk factors for and effects of codependency and discuss how the programs at our codependency treatment center can help you or your loved one.
What is Codependency?
Codependency refers to a reliance on the needs or control of another person. It is a psychological condition or relationship pattern where a person experiences an unhealthy attachment to someone else. Our informal codependency testing tool can help you assess whether such issues might present a problem for yourself, a friend, or loved one.
Rather than a healthy relationship where you both feel like your own person and experience interdependence, codependent relationships are overly close and enmeshed.
Often, a codependent relationship will lead to low self-esteem and isolation from others. You may have a strong desire for the approval of the other person or have trouble saying “no.” People who consider themselves codependents may experience these patterns repeatedly.
Codependent behaviors can show up in any kind of relationship. Your relationships with family members, partners, or even friends can all be affected by codependency.
Renew Your Recovery from Codependency – Reach Out Now!
7 Warning Signs of a Codependent Relationship
The term “codependency” emerged from patterns seen in families with an individual experiencing a substance use disorder. However, codependency can take various forms.
Alcohol or drugs do not need to be involved for you to have a codependent relationship. With that said, here are some signs of a codependent relationship.
1) Lack of Consideration for Your Own Needs
The #1 sign of a codependent relationship is an unbalanced relationship, where one person’s needs go unmet and the other person’s are prioritized.
You may sacrifice your needs, morals, or something else you would not usually sacrifice to put the person first.
2) There are Poor Boundaries
In codependent relationships of all kinds, people often feel that they can’t say “no” to the other person. Not only do someone else’s needs come first, but you likely lack healthy boundaries with the person.
Once the person expresses their needs or wants, you are convinced to give in easily. You don’t follow through even if you tell yourself you’ll set limits.
3) You Excuse Problematic Behaviors
If you excuse problematic behaviors of any kind or hide them from others (e.g., not telling your friends about something your partner said so they don’t form a negative opinion of your partner), it is a sign of a codependent relationship.
For example, family members of someone with a substance use disorder may intentionally overlook harmful behaviors like problematic drinking, make excuses for the person, or fail to set boundaries. Alternatively, someone may make excuses for a partner’s abusive behaviors.
4) You Cancel Plans with Others Frequently
Of course, there are emergencies where you must cancel plans or prioritize another person, such as a family member needing a ride to the hospital. However, if you find yourself repeatedly canceling plans to spend time with or tend to this person’s needs, and it affects relationships with others in your life, it’s a sign to take note of.
5) Your Emotions are Contingent on the Other Person
Interpersonal relationships are a part of our lives that can always affect our feelings. That said, if it feels like you’re on an emotional rollercoaster, it could be a sign of codependency. In a codependent relationship, you may experience mood swings controlled by how the other person or overall relationship is going that day. On a good day, you feel high and hopeful, but on a bad day, you feel very down.
6) An Exaggerated Sense of Responsibility
Due to codependency, you may feel responsible for another person’s actions, even if you aren’t. You may tend to “rescue” the person or jump to tend to the person’s needs, whether out of guilt, poor boundaries, or for another reason.
7) A Decreased Sense of Self
Codependent relationships are unhealthily intertwined, which can affect your sense of self. Since your emotions and actions are so influenced by another person and your needs aren’t met, you might lose sight of who you are or not feel as fully “yourself” as you otherwise would.
Common Risk Factors for Codependent Patterns
Codependent patterns can form for a variety of reasons. While it’s important to remember that codependency can affect anyone, here are a couple of common risk factors for codependent dynamics and patterns.
- Family history of substance abuse.
Codependency is often seen in family systems where a family member has an addiction. For example, you might take care of legal or financial problems for your loved one or allow them to be dependent on you, even if it enables their addiction.
- An insecure attachment style.
Insecure attachment styles put you at a higher risk of unhealthy relationships with others. In this case, codependency may develop so that you feel loved, wanted, and needed or to curb a fear of abandonment.
Confidential Mental Health Assessment – Reach Out Now!
Don’t Let the Codependency Define Your Life
The effects of a codependent relationship may include but aren’t limited to low self-esteem or self-worth, issues with clinical depression, anxiety symptoms, and stress. In some cases, there are more tangible effects, like financial problems. For example, you might pay for things you can’t afford to meet a loved one’s needs or to get them out of a legal situation.
With codependency treatment, you can overcome codependency and address the impacts codependency has on your life or well-being. Codependency treatment will address the underlying factors that lead to codependent behaviors such as trauma.
Treating Codependency at Icarus Behavioral Health
Our programs can help you identify and understand patterns of codependency, develop new, healthy patterns and coping skills, set boundaries, and increase your confidence or sense of self.
Here are the treatment options Icarus Behavioral Health provides for codependency and what to expect in each.
Residential or Inpatient Treatment Programs
Residential or inpatient treatment for mental health and codependency means that you’ll eat, sleep, and live on-site at our treatment center for the duration of your program. Since you’ll live on-site, you will have the necessary distance away from codependent dynamics. Often, this is an ideal starting level of care because it prevents you from engaging in codependent behaviors.
Individual therapy, family therapy, and couples therapy can all be helpful in codependency treatment. Like in all of our programs, your individualized treatment plan and schedule will depend on your personal needs and situation.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
A partial hospitalization program (PHP) requires a more significant time commitment than other outpatient programs but allows you to live off-site. In PHP for codependency, you’ll attend therapy and engage in other treatment activities most days per week.
The time commitment required for PHP is much like that of a typical work or school schedule. PHP and other outpatient programs are ideal for those with a living environment that supports their recovery.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
An intensive outpatient program (IOP) lets you attend a codependency treatment center like ours multiple times per week but for fewer total hours than PHP. IOP for codependency is ideal for those who intend to work, go to school, or tend to other external obligations while in treatment.
Up To 100% of Rehab Costs Covered By Insurance – Call Now!
Get Support at Our Codependency Treatment Center Now!
When you contact Icarus Behavioral Health, we will discuss your treatment options and help you find the right level of care. To get in touch with Icarus Behavioral Health and learn more about treatment for codependency, call our admissions line today.
Our staff members are here to verify your health insurance coverage, book a tour of Icarus Behavioral Health, or answer your questions for free.
Reach out now for a confidential consultation, and get options to support a codependency-free life today!
FAQs on Codependency Treatment Programs
How does codependency therapy work?
Therapy for codependency helps you become aware of unhealthy patterns, acknowledge and express your feelings, identify and tend to your personal needs, and increase your sense of self. Individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, couples therapy, or a combination of multiple forms of therapy can aid your recovery from codependency. In treatment for codependency at Icarus Behavioral Health, you’ll have a treatment schedule of multiple forms of therapy to aid your healing process.
Do people heal from codependency?
It’s entirely possible to heal from codependency. Relationships will change in the recovery process; some might even end. However, somebody can create healthy patterns in future relationships with an awareness of codependent patterns.
Why is codependency harmful?
Codependency harms everyone involved. Feelings of depression and anxiety, stress, loss of your sense of self, life goals, or wants, and other consequences can arise when you’re struggling with codependency.
When addiction is involved, codependency may enable substance abuse in some instances. If a loved one enters addiction treatment, family members can learn from family therapy, support groups, and other resources that will help them set boundaries and form better patterns.
If a loved one is unwilling to get help or break patterns of codependency with you, you can get therapy and treatment for codependency independently.
