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Codependent • Addiction • Codependent • Addiction • Codependent • Addiction

Its amazing that the human species, although we are wired to survive, can't control our cravings, running the gambit from co-dependency, overeating, spending, drinking, sex, drugs, gambling, starving or purging. Where did it start?  Better question, is how did it start? What triggered it; parents, siblings, peers, teachers?  What was the defining moment that made us acquire these addictions? Is it a habit? Is it something we saw as children, something we are very familiar with or is it a predisposed condition we are born with? Addiction proved through the decades, centuries, that it will not be and is not destroyed or eradicated by evolution.

We know that when we feel good, a neurotransmitter called "Dopamine" is released, which causes a sudden jolt of pleasure, the more dopamine, the more heightened that pleasure becomes. In an addict, that addiction and the endless feeling derived from that dopamine high is what gets them addicted and leads to compulsive drug taking.  Im my studies and in case histories most addictions begin with low self esteem, self worth, insecurities and in a lot of cases the need to be loved, accepted and wanted.  It escalates from there, but in my opinion, all addictions have as their base codependencies.  Most co-dependents have many issues , that have led to their addiction, their disease.  All addictions seem to have as their starting point childhood and has many causes, latch key children, middle child divorce, death , alcoholic parent(s), drugs, rape and incest. The basis surrounding point is "dysfunctional family units". The need to be loved and accepted. Co-dependency is the most misdiagnosed condition and disease, and one that is very difficult to understand. Most co-dependents are not aware that they have the disease. In fact statistics reflect that 95%  of the population is afflicted with some form of co-dependency but only 1% knows that they have it.

We at Beyond The 12th Step want  to enlighten you, educate you, treat you and teach you how to recognize the warning signs of your illness, how to deal with it, accept it, embrace it and address it and take ownership with it.  Remember, you cannot fix what you do not acknowledge. "The journey begins within". Our open chat room is available to you 24/7.. your own meeting place, your codependency meeting room that is available to you day or night. A place where you can interact with others, like yourself, chat, open up and find friends who will support you emotionally. We have highly educated addiction professionals; counselors, therapist, doctors and life coaches who are all on board to help you. All you have to do is reach out, we are there for you.  Remember, you are not alone.
Adrianna Marignoli, LPC, NPL.  Anthony J. Aloneftis, J.D.

How can counseling help?
For people with codependency, individual counseling can teach individual skills; assertiveness, listening, and communication.