4 Signs of Codependency Recovery

Codependency is often thought of as a relationship problem and considered by many to be a disease. In the past, it was applied to relationships with alcoholics and drug addicts. It is a relationship problem; however, the relationship that’s the problem is not with someone else, but the relationship with yourself, and that is what gets reflected in your relationships with others.

Codependency underlies all addictions. The core symptom of “dependency” manifests as reliance on a person, substance, or process (i.e, activity, such as gambling or sex addiction). Instead of having a healthy relationship with yourself, you make something or someone else more important. Over time, your thoughts, feelings, and actions revolve around that other person, activity, or substance, and you increasingly abandon your relationship with yourself.

Recovery entails a 180 degree reversal of this pattern in order to reconnect with, honor, and act from your core self. Healing happens in stages and develops the following characteristics:

* You’re authentic

* You’re autonomous

* You’re capable of intimacy

* Your values, beliefs, thoughts, feelings, and actions become integrated and congruent