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Codependency Conspiracy: How to Break the Recovery Habit and Take Charge of Your Life
Now, for the first time, a prominent psychologist speaks out against the addiction/recovery movement, and teaches readers how to stop seeing themselves as codependent victims and how to start taking charge of their lives. Dr. Katz argues that most codependent programs, rather than promoting recovery, merely promote dependence under the guise of self-help.
233 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1991
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November 26, 2025
On the one hand, I do think it points out a lot of fairly accurate problems about 12-step programs. The analysis isn't exactly identical to my own, and it's definitely sounding kind of dated, but it's looking in the right direction.
On the other hand, it gives the impression the authors did their research about 12-step recovery from a place of wanting to dislike it. I think the argument would be a lot stronger if the authors offered some caveats about what the programs aspire to be, which far exceeds what they ultimately are. I think there is also a bit of hyperbole regarding what Melody Beattie, Bill W and Dr Bob, and their ilk claim to cover.
There are some interesting exercises offered up that I'm sure could be helpful to a great many people, and well I suppose they're intended to be instead of the 12 steps, I don't know that they're necessarily in conflict with the program. I think the authors underestimate The emphasis on personal responsibility within the program. but I do appreciate the solution-oriented approach of this book.
On the other hand, it gives the impression the authors did their research about 12-step recovery from a place of wanting to dislike it. I think the argument would be a lot stronger if the authors offered some caveats about what the programs aspire to be, which far exceeds what they ultimately are. I think there is also a bit of hyperbole regarding what Melody Beattie, Bill W and Dr Bob, and their ilk claim to cover.
There are some interesting exercises offered up that I'm sure could be helpful to a great many people, and well I suppose they're intended to be instead of the 12 steps, I don't know that they're necessarily in conflict with the program. I think the authors underestimate The emphasis on personal responsibility within the program. but I do appreciate the solution-oriented approach of this book.
Displaying 1 of 1 review