A portrait of codependant women in a long term relationship with addicts

Abstract

Codependency often refers to those persons in a committed relationship with an addict. This study aimed at exploring the lived experiences of codependent women in a long term relationship with addicts. A life narrative approach was used together with a qualitative research method, in order to expose the underlying meanings and issues of each participant through their own understanding and interpretation of their life experience. 4 recovered codependent women who have been in a relationship of 5 years or more with an addict were interviewed. The narratives showed a progression through a number of stages which started from early childhood experiences and progressed to a period where the participants shared a general lack of awareness towards their situation and their behaviours. This stage was then followed by emotional and critical events which lead to realisation and recovery through therapy. These stages each revealed behaviours characterised by denial, excessive caretaking, over-controlling, low self-esteem, and many others, but most of all the escalating toll on the self.