The social construction of co-dependency in the treatment of substance abuse

Harkness, Daniel; Cotrell, Gretchen

doi:10.1016/s0740-5472(97)00121-9

Cited by 20 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Argumenta-se que a natureza paradoxal da estrutura de poder dentro do relacionamento do codependente e seus familiares usuários de álcool e/ou drogas coloca limites sobre os ti pos de estratégias de controle que codependentes podem uti lizar em suas tentati vas de exti nguir o comportamento do consumo de substâncias do seu parceiro ou de sua parceira 10 . Apesar de a terminologia codependência ter adquirido muito rapidamente um espaço no campo das dependências químicas 11 , ser amplamente uti lizada e extremamente popular, observa-se, ainda nos dias atuais, que a mesma segue sendo considerada um constructo muito criti cado e controverso no meio cientí fi co. Isso porque parece existi r uma carência de pesquisas desti nadas a promover a validação da codependência enquanto conceito ou constructo psicológico, existi ndo mais no campo teórico do que no empírico, que possa corroborar de fato sua uti lidade clínica e a ampliação de evidência da existência desse comportamento, o qual foi primeiramente descrito em esposas de dependentes de álcool [12][13][14] . Muitas outras defi nições de codependência vêm sendo realizadas, como por exemplo: a codependência como um sistema de vida que emerge em famílias disfuncionais de origem, produzindo uma estagnação no desenvolvimento e nos resultados dos processos de interação dessa família; como uma pessoa que tem uma reação exagerada ao exterior e com baixa sensibilidade interna para solucionar problemas 8 ; como um comportamento de uma pessoa essencialmente "normal" que faz um esforço para se ajustar a um cônjuge e a um evento de vida estressante; ou, ainda, como um padrão de dependência dolorosa sobre os outros, comportamentos compulsivos na busca de aprovação, para tentar encontrar segurança, autoesti ma e identi dade.…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

Codependency in families of alcohol and other drug users: is it in fact a disease?

Diehl

Silva²,

Bosso³

2017

Revista Debates Em Psiquiatria

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ResumoO conceito de codependência, embora muito popular no meio clínico do campo das dependências químicas, segue sendo considerado um constructo muito criticado e controverso no meio científico. Nosso objetivo foi avaliar o estado da arte sobre o constructo de codependência de familiares de usuários de álcool e outras drogas quanto à etiologia e outros possíveis fatores relacionados. Tratase de uma revisão da literatura através da busca de artigos indexados em bases de dados, publicados nos idiomas inglês, português e espanhol, utilizando-se os descritores codependência, transtornos relacionados ao uso de substâncias e família. Foram incluídos 16 artigos nesta revisão, os quais retratam que o conceito de codependência segue teorizado e pouco explorado de forma empírica. Tentativas de escalas de rastreio foram realizadas sem replicações de estudos de campo. De uma forma geral, aqueles que se autoidentificam como pessoas codependentes, uma vez que recebem suporte, relatam alguns benefícios positivos. O termo, mais do que um conceito psicológico de fato validado, parece representar um movimento social que deu empoderamento aos membros das famílias de usuários de álcool e outras drogas. Mais estudos de campo sobre a validação conceitual da codependência e os fatores a ela relacionados devem ser conduzidos, a fim de corroborar sua real utilidade clínica e ampliação de evidência da existência desse fenômeno. Palavras-chave:Codependência, transtornos relacionados ao uso de substâncias, família. AbstractThe concept of codependency is very popular in the clinical setting in the field of addiction but continues to be a highly criticized and controversial construct in the scientific literature. The objective of this paper was to evaluate state-of-the-art information on the construct of codependency of family members of users of alcohol and other drugs with regard to etiology and other possible related factors. In this literature review, databases were searched for indexed articles published in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, using the keywords codependency, substance-related disorders, and family. A total of 16 articles were included in the review; according to these articles, the concept of codependency continues to be essentially theoretical and little explored empirically. Attempts have been made to use screening scales, but replication in field studies are lacking. Overall, individuals who self-identify as codependent report positive benefits -probably because they receive support. The term codependency, more than a validated psychological concept, seems to represent a social movement that has empowered family members of users of alcohol and other drugs. More field studies are necessary to achieve the conceptual validation of codependency, as well as to investigate factors related to it. Only then will the real clinical usefulness of this phenomenon be confirmed, and the body of evidence of its existence expanded.

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Section: Introductionunclassified

Codependency in families of alcohol and other drug users: is it in fact a disease?

Diehl

Silva²,

Bosso³

2017

Revista Debates Em Psiquiatria

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“…This is because the co-dependent is considered instrumental to enabling and maintaining the alcoholic to functionally consume alcohol (Harkness & Cotrell, 1997;Weegmann, 2006). Co-dependency is sometimes defined as a "relationship addiction" (Weegman, 2006,p.155).…”

Section: 15mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Co-dependency is sometimes defined as a "relationship addiction" (Weegman, 2006,p.155). A co-dependent is also described as someone who lacks personal expression, externalises focus outside of themselves and derives a sense of purpose through others (Fischer et al, 1992;Harkness & Cotrell, 1997).…”

Section: 15mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Counselling Psychology

2013

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Many counsellors have shared trauma experience with their clients. However, there seemed to be mixed views on how this shared experience might impact on the client and therapist. Some researchers propose that shared experience offers symbiotic healing for the client and therapist, whilst other authors propose the shared wounds are detrimental to therapy process. Despite these conflicts little seems to be known about how the counsellor experiences and views the shared relationship with the client (Doukas & Cullen, 2011;Rowan & Jacobs, 2003; Wosket, 1999). This qualitative grounded theory study investigated the views and experiences of 10 Recovering Alcoholic Counsellors (RAC) who work with alcoholic clients.The findings of the current study suggested that therapy with the alcoholic client related to the therapist managing their own recovery from alcoholism, which involved processes of building a self-identity, identifying with the client and fearing relapse.The alcoholic identity was maintained and actively used in the therapy work with the client, despite the RAC claiming long term recovery. Identifying with the client appeared to activate shame and increase a fear of relapse for the RAC. These processes appeared to affect a potential dependency on the client work. These factors were reflected to be influenced by AA philosophies, which also affected a bias towards certain therapy interventions. Potential over-identification appeared evident in protective empathic enmeshment and hostile countertransference reactions. This included a possible and concerning coercive interpretation of affording tough-love to clients, potentially causing abuse to the alcoholic client.Positive reflexive practice, self-awareness and compassionate practice were also evident. Feeling deep empathy in the shared experience was suggestive of empathic enmeshment and possible symbiotic healing processes taking place.Other benefits and issues of the shared experience are explored and discussed further. Recommendations are suggested to increase safe therapy practice for counsellors working with alcoholic clients and future research direction has been proposed.ii

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“…7 Such persistence on a relationship that is obviously disadvantageous is attributed to a psychological dependence on the partner, the socalled co-dependence. 8,9 Co-dependence is generally conceptualized as an enduring dysfunctional relationship pattern established by acquaintanceship with an addicted spouse or parent. 10,11 The problem with this concept is that it does not separate spouses from offspring and as they hold different relationships to the addicted family member, the outcome for each is probably different.…”

Section: Objetivo: Esposas De Jogadores Patológicos Tendem a Permanecmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wives of pathological gamblers: personality traits, depressive symptoms and social adjustment

Mazzoleni

Gorenstein

Fuentes

et al. 2009

Rev. Bras. Psiquiatr.

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The social construction of co-dependency in the treatment of substance abuse

Cited by 20 publications

References 21 publications

Codependency in families of alcohol and other drug users: is it in fact a disease?

Codependency in families of alcohol and other drug users: is it in fact a disease?

Counselling Psychology

Wives of pathological gamblers: personality traits, depressive symptoms and social adjustment

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