X

How To Not Be Codependent

Overview:

In this episode we discuss codependency by answering the following questions:

  • What is codependency?
  • Where does codependency come from?
  • What are the symptoms of codependency?
  • How to overcome codependency?

What is codependency?

Dr. Dean Robb describes codependency as 2 incomplete people who are trying to fix themselves through another person.

What are the symptoms of codependency?

Do you know these two James Taylor songs?  Johnny Comes Back & Be As You Are?  Dr. Robb reads the lyrics and shares how they are codependency for him.

Johnny Comes Back

Be As You Are

Where does codependency come from?

Children are needy.  Adults need to focus on the child and helping meet their needs.  When this is done, humans can grow up having a sense of safety.  Unfortunately, so many parents and adults are not whole and are not able to give their children the emotional support that the child needs.  This can develop into codependency as we grow up.

How to heal codependency?  How to not be codependent.

Shame is at the core of codependency. One has to realize that emotionally, this will not work for me. They have to be willing to embrace the shame and start working through the emotions and beliefs they have.

Emotionally detach from that person who you are holding onto.

Have your own sense of identity, self-worth.

Find a way to feel safe in the world.

This journey does not happen overnight.

Remember “No.” is a complete sentence.

Resources:

Al-Anon: Al-Anon is a great place to find more education and support.  Click here to find a meeting near you.

Dr. Robb can be reached at drrobb@nextstagerecovery.com, by phone at 908-922-3009 or 908-757-4721, on the internet at www.NextStageRecovery.com, on Facebook at  facebook.com/nextstagerecovery, and on Twitter at @RecoverWithDean.

This is the 5th in a series of 6 episodes with Dr. Dean Robb.  Did you hear the others?

Thank You For Listening

Special thanks to Dr. Robb for joining me this week.  Until next time!

Comments

comments

Melissa Sue Tucker: Melissa Sue Tucker from Oak Creek Wellness interviews inspiring family members and friends of alcoholics, drug addicts, and people who have struggled with other addictions. Discover tips and tricks on how we can keep ourselves healthy when we are in a relationship with an addict. You can also hear from holistic health and wellness professionals that share insight into keeping yourself well. Although Melissa confesses she does not have it all figured out, through the help of seminars, life coaches, and wellness professionals she has been able to work through her feelings of sadness, guilt, and shame associated with having two younger brothers struggle with drug addiction. After one brother passed away, she decided that his death would not be in vain. Only recently after watching Johann Hari's Ted Talk: Everything You Know About Addiction is Wrong did she decided to take action by focusing on inspiring hope and change by providing love and support to friends and family members of addicts. “Be the change you wish to see in the world” - Gandhi

View Comments (0)

Related Post