Codependent Relationship

What is Codependency? Whether or not you identify yourself as codependent, you are likely familiar with its definition in one way or another. Being in a codependent relationship is actually quite common. A lot of us have at least one or several traits that relate to acting co-dependently. But to understand it fully, let’s look at where the term originally came from. The word “codependent” first started being used for the friends and family of individuals who were part of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Before Alcoholism was understood as a mental health disorder, or even before it was labeled an uncontrollable disease, it was thought of as merely moral weakness or “bad character” in the 1930s. Once AA became a regular program that was widely accepted, its founders began offering help to the families and spouses of those who attended AA groups. As the family became an active part in the alcoholics’ treatment and support groups, the term “co-alcoholic” was coined which then changed to “co-ch...