Co-dependence: A disease inherent to dysfunctional family systems

Co-dependence is an idea that has emerged recently in the chemical dependency field especially relating to alcoholism. The term co-dependence was originally used to describe those persons whose lives were affected by involvement with a chemically dependent person (Subby and Friel, 1984). Most research prior to 1982 was centered on individual personality traits and characteristics of the :alcoholic or the alcoholic\u27s spouse rather than looking at the relationship process or family system (Jacob and Seilhamer, 1982; Steinglass, 1982). Attention was focused on understanding and helping the alcoholic while the non-drinkers in the family, if considered at all, were thought to be passive victims of the alcoholic (Wilson, 1982)