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Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself
An Expert Guide to Achieving Serenity for Codependents Who Want to Take Care of Themselves
• Have you become so absorbed in other people's problems that you don't have time to identify, or solve, your own?
• Do you care so deeply about other people that you've forgotten how to care for yourself?
• Do you need to control events and people around you because you feel everything around and inside you is out of control?
• Do you feel responsible for so much because the people around you feel responsible for so little?
By its nature, alcoholism and other compulsive disorders create victims out of everyone close to the afflicted person. Whether the person you love is an alcoholic, a gambler, a foodaholic, a workaholic, a sexaholic, a criminal, a rebellious teenager, or a neurotic parent, this book is for you—the codependent. This inspiring new overview of codependency by Melody Beattie, a recovering alcoholic and former chemical dependency counselor, details its characteristics, where the behavior comes from, and how it affects us and those around us. Offering hope and guidance, Codependent No More discusses several options to controlling behavior and helps us understand that letting go will set us free.
"We're so grateful to see that no one gets hurt. No one, that is, but ourselves. —Anonymous Al-Anon Member
216 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
13175 people are currently reading
59860 people want to read
About the author
Melody Beattie
67 books1,024 followersMelody Beattie was an American self-help author best known for her groundbreaking work on codependency. Born in 1948 in Minnesota, she endured a traumatic childhood marked by abuse and early substance addiction. After achieving sobriety, she became a licensed addiction counselor and began writing to help others navigate emotional recovery. Her 1986 book Codependent No More became a bestseller, selling eight million copies and helping to bring the concept of codependency into mainstream awareness. Over her career, she authored 18 books, including Beyond Codependency, The Language of Letting Go, and Make Miracles in Forty Days. Though her work is often associated with Co-Dependents Anonymous, her books were independent of the program.
Beattie’s personal life reflected many of the struggles she addressed in her work, including four marriages and the loss of a son. Her writing often drew from her own experiences with grief, addiction, and healing. In early 2025, she was forced to evacuate her Malibu home due to wildfires and died shortly after at her daughter’s home in Los Angeles from heart failure.
Beattie’s personal life reflected many of the struggles she addressed in her work, including four marriages and the loss of a son. Her writing often drew from her own experiences with grief, addiction, and healing. In early 2025, she was forced to evacuate her Malibu home due to wildfires and died shortly after at her daughter’s home in Los Angeles from heart failure.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,052 reviews
August 21, 2007
Found this really helpful. I bet it could help you, too. In fact, I will loan you my copy. Even if you don't want it. Or I could buy it for you, even though I can't afford it. Don't walk away! I'll give you $20 if you read it. I know it will help you. You need help. Don't worry about me. I'm fine. Now.
November 4, 2008
This is the book that started it all. I know it is cliché but, this book has changed my life and my thinking…
I was talking to my father on the phone one day and I was explaining to him how I have no problem exercising and eating right when Otty is gone but I can’t seem to keep it up when he is home. My father then asked me if I wanted to know what that was called…he told me it was called co-dependence and that I should start learning about this by reading a book called Co-dependent No More. I pretty much ran out right away and purchased the book.
Now, I have never been a big advocate for self-improvement books, but I have to say that this book was very enlightening. Co-dependency has a different definition for everyone. This book made me delve into my own retched thoughts and confront them head on.
This book made me realize that I have a voice and an opinion and both matter just as much as the next person. I realized that I can make decisions and not have to worry if my opinion is what other people may think or want. My opinion is exactly that…my opinion. It is okay to have an opinion that is different than someone else’s.
I also learned that I need to detach myself from the people in my life that cause me harm…emotionally, physically, doesn’t matter…
Though I may not struggle with an abusive alcoholic, I still struggle with the internal doubts and feelings of self worthlessness. I have learned that I do not need to immerse myself so deeply in someone else’s life that I lose myself. I can keep my individuality while sharing my life with another. If we have conflicting views…that’s alright.
When I first read this book, I figure that I would not post my feelings about it because they were too personal. However, now having some distance from the book and being able to employ the lessons I have learned, I am able to share myself with others.
I am not perfect and it is absolutely acceptable for me to let other people know this. Maybe, by sharing these thoughts, someone else might be inspired to read this book and better themselves as well.
I was talking to my father on the phone one day and I was explaining to him how I have no problem exercising and eating right when Otty is gone but I can’t seem to keep it up when he is home. My father then asked me if I wanted to know what that was called…he told me it was called co-dependence and that I should start learning about this by reading a book called Co-dependent No More. I pretty much ran out right away and purchased the book.
Now, I have never been a big advocate for self-improvement books, but I have to say that this book was very enlightening. Co-dependency has a different definition for everyone. This book made me delve into my own retched thoughts and confront them head on.
This book made me realize that I have a voice and an opinion and both matter just as much as the next person. I realized that I can make decisions and not have to worry if my opinion is what other people may think or want. My opinion is exactly that…my opinion. It is okay to have an opinion that is different than someone else’s.
I also learned that I need to detach myself from the people in my life that cause me harm…emotionally, physically, doesn’t matter…
Though I may not struggle with an abusive alcoholic, I still struggle with the internal doubts and feelings of self worthlessness. I have learned that I do not need to immerse myself so deeply in someone else’s life that I lose myself. I can keep my individuality while sharing my life with another. If we have conflicting views…that’s alright.
When I first read this book, I figure that I would not post my feelings about it because they were too personal. However, now having some distance from the book and being able to employ the lessons I have learned, I am able to share myself with others.
I am not perfect and it is absolutely acceptable for me to let other people know this. Maybe, by sharing these thoughts, someone else might be inspired to read this book and better themselves as well.
December 28, 2011
I knew this was a classic of the genre, but I found myself unimpressed by it. Maybe I came at it with the wrong expectations? I was thinking of "co-dependency" in a more generic sense — say, the way a married couple can be enmeshed and lose their boundaries with each other. Beattie's book instead seems dated to me, bound up as it is with the classic origins of the term "co-dependence" in the partners of alcoholics.
For me, the constant references to alcohol and Al-Anon grated on me, as did mentions of her religious persuasion. Yes, she nodded to spirituality, but in the end, this was an unabashed God-led Twelve-Step book. This was not what I came for. I was also unimpressed by her denigration of therapy.
I have preferred Pia Mellody's Facing Love Addiction for better coverage of this topic. I'm also keen to read Leslie Irvine's Codependent Forevermore, which is an even-handed critique of CoDA and the recovery moment in general.
For any men reading this review (I can't imagine there will be too many), I will give my strongest recommendation to Dr Robert Glover's No More Mr Nice Guy, which is essentially a co-dependence book aimed at men.
For me, the constant references to alcohol and Al-Anon grated on me, as did mentions of her religious persuasion. Yes, she nodded to spirituality, but in the end, this was an unabashed God-led Twelve-Step book. This was not what I came for. I was also unimpressed by her denigration of therapy.
I have preferred Pia Mellody's Facing Love Addiction for better coverage of this topic. I'm also keen to read Leslie Irvine's Codependent Forevermore, which is an even-handed critique of CoDA and the recovery moment in general.
For any men reading this review (I can't imagine there will be too many), I will give my strongest recommendation to Dr Robert Glover's No More Mr Nice Guy, which is essentially a co-dependence book aimed at men.
February 22, 2014
When the author said she didn't come at this from a scientific background I was willing to overlook that until she got to the traits of codependency. If you're going to write a long list with multiple categories and then proceed to contradict yourself (sometimes within the same category) it's going to lower your credibility for me substantially (ex: Under Misc: "Codependents are extremely responsible" and right beneath it "Codependents are extremely irresponsible". This is not the only example either, btw.)
Also the heavy emphasis on 12-steps and God was really off-putting to me. I think the title of this book should have reflected the fact it was primarily geared towards alcoholics and/or children of alcoholics. The fact that she mentions other groups doesn't matter much if 90% of the book is spent referring to codependents as people who have encountered some form of addiction. After the lists, I actually put this one down but I did skim ahead a bit to see if anything else was of interest to me (nope).
After reading other reviews on here talking about how she puts therapy down I know this book is definitely not for me. I will search elsewhere for literature on codependency.
Also the heavy emphasis on 12-steps and God was really off-putting to me. I think the title of this book should have reflected the fact it was primarily geared towards alcoholics and/or children of alcoholics. The fact that she mentions other groups doesn't matter much if 90% of the book is spent referring to codependents as people who have encountered some form of addiction. After the lists, I actually put this one down but I did skim ahead a bit to see if anything else was of interest to me (nope).
After reading other reviews on here talking about how she puts therapy down I know this book is definitely not for me. I will search elsewhere for literature on codependency.
April 24, 2009
What I learned from this book? Good grief! I learned soooooo much! This book opened my eyes to the path toward self-discovery, self-love, and learning how to deal with difficult relationships. I very highly recommend this book, not just for people who live with an alcoholic, but for anyone who is trying desperately hard to fix a bad relationship, whether it's with your spouse, your parents, your children...with anyone you love. I learned how my upbringing has the power to wreck my current and future relationships if I let it. I learned how to let go of the unfixable...that the only person I have any control over is myself. I learned that I can let go of all that free-floating guilt that I never earned. What a relief! The tenets of this book are so simple...you wonder why you didn't think of them yourself! But the truth is, Ms. Beattie writes in such a simple, straight forward way that even though you may have heard much of this before, you never really processed it. At least that was my experience. I wish I had read this book years ago!
October 28, 2012
practicing what I preach.
I gave it three stars because I read the entire book, and I'm still codependent. I was sort of hoping this would like, cure me. Fix all my issues, sort of like the knight and shining self-help book I've always been waiting for. But it didn't immediately read my mind and meet my needs, and I was crushed. I thought, maybe if I am a better reader, it will be a happier book and then all my dreams will come true. So I tried to be perfect, I ignored all it's flaws, and I put all it's needs first ... Everything. Nothing worked. I became angry and embittered, became passive aggressive, made empty threats. I was ten different kinds of needy. Then one day, I had enough, and I gave up. I set some boundaries, started to detach with love and take care of myself. I learned how to stop controlling self-help books and start caring for myself.
I gave it three stars because I read the entire book, and I'm still codependent. I was sort of hoping this would like, cure me. Fix all my issues, sort of like the knight and shining self-help book I've always been waiting for. But it didn't immediately read my mind and meet my needs, and I was crushed. I thought, maybe if I am a better reader, it will be a happier book and then all my dreams will come true. So I tried to be perfect, I ignored all it's flaws, and I put all it's needs first ... Everything. Nothing worked. I became angry and embittered, became passive aggressive, made empty threats. I was ten different kinds of needy. Then one day, I had enough, and I gave up. I set some boundaries, started to detach with love and take care of myself. I learned how to stop controlling self-help books and start caring for myself.
February 29, 2008
Taken from my blog at http://blog.geekuniverse.org/2008/02/...
In case it isn't already clear, I'm talking about two separate books here. One book is titled "Codependent No More" and the other is "Beyond Codependency." I picked them up at the library after hearing the term codependent used in The Emotionally Abusive Relationship. I've been interested in learning about the concept in the past and never gotten around to it.
So what is codependency? The term was coined originally to describe spouses of those dependent on alcohol or other drugs. For example, we'll say a woman is married to an alcoholic husband. The husband, dependent on the alcohol, is hampered in his ability to overcome alcoholism because of his codependent wife.
This does not mean the wife is an alcoholic and it does not mean she approves of the alcoholic's behavior. It means that her warped way of coping with that stress actually enables her husband's problem. She might try to ignore the problem, or try to solve the problem herself, or cover up for her husband--but whatever her behavior, she is actually taking responsibility for his behavior or her shoulders. She is an enabler--she makes it easy for him to be an alcoholic. When the problem gets worse and worse and the wife doesn't understand why, she's bound to feel hopeless, helpless, angry, stressed and probably bitter.
The term is now used in a more broad sense: you can use the term (or concept or ideas or paradigm, if you don't feel the need to use the latest pop culture terminology) to describe one who feels compelled to help others to the point of hurting themself and the intended compassionate recipient. The best line is these two books is that codependents do "all the wrong things for all the right reasons."
One of the most interesting, and least explored, concepts covered in the chronology or pattern of behavior. Here's my take:
First, the codependent is essentially a victim of somebody else's addictive or destructive behavior. As such, they are to be pitied and helped.
Next, the codependent tries to figure out how to cope with a situation that is not their fault and they have no control over. The natural instinct is to try to gain some control over the situation. But instead of doing it the healthy way--controlling themself by setting boundaries and knowing how to enforce them--they try to control the other person by "helping" them in various ways.
Lastly, when the problem gets worse and worse, the codependent becomes angry, bitter and dejected as a result of their failed attempts to gain some level of control over a situation that was already impossibly difficult to deal with. It is at this point that a codependent becomes an ugly force to be reckoned with. As they bounce between the second and third phase, they may play a Jekyll & Hyde game appearing intensely angry and controlling at some moments and at other moments seem to be the kindest, most giving person possible. It is at this stage that the original victim can become abusive.
At first, most people will be naturally drawn to a codependent because of the codependent's ability to give and give and give and give. When it eventually becomes apparent that the charitable behaviors are actually a warped way of controlling the world around them, a psychologically healthy person will turn the other direction and run as fast as they can. They will be able to sense inherently that their boundaries are being infringed on in a subtle and destructive manner.
I spent a lot of time pondering the conflict between charity and codependency, and wondering if I could really bring this book in line with my religious views. I'll save that for a separate blog entry. I also pondered my own tendency toward codependency. Did I learn behaviors that have been passed down through the generations? Or do I have some trauma I am dealing with in my life? Whatever the answer, my New Year's Resolution is to stop worrying about other people and learn to love and accept myself. So far, it's feeling fabulous and I think it is helping me to be more charitable toward others, rather than less charitable.
Okay, enough of explanations. I thought the concepts covered in these books were eye-opening and instructive. I think it's a great paradigm to explore. However, I think a better book could be written. Codependent No More is essentially the Go To book about codependency. I found it well written, but somewhat rambling and repetitive. (Somewhat like this blog?) Just as I found myself intrigued by a concept, the author would go into some lengthy story that only partially made sense to me, as somebody who has never dealt with an alcoholic or chemically dependent person. I actually enjoyed Beyond Codependency more because it dealt more with solutions to the problem than lengthy descriptions. Once I "got it," I "got it" and was bored with further detail in the first book.
I found myself wishing for a book that was written for a wider audience and in more broad terms, with less focus on the alcoholism angle. As it turns out, I found the perfect book by accident. I saw a book at Deseret Book titled "I Don't Have to Make Everything All Better" and was reminded of the codependency angle. So I bought it on a whim. It's exactly what I didn't realize I was looking for and it'll be up next in this four-part series of Self Help book reviews.
For more information about codependency:
According to Mental Health America (some random website I found online, which described it better than most) the symptoms of codependency are:
An exaggerated sense of responsibility for the actions of others
A tendency to confuse love and pity, with the tendency to “love” people they can pity and rescue
A tendency to do more than their share, all of the time
A tendency to become hurt when people don’t recognize their efforts
An unhealthy dependence on relationships. The co-dependent will do anything to hold on to a relationship; to avoid the feeling of abandonment
An extreme need for approval and recognition
A sense of guilt when asserting themselves
A compelling need to control others
Lack of trust in self and/or others
Fear of being abandoned or alone
Difficulty identifying feelings
Rigidity/difficulty adjusting to change
Problems with intimacy/boundaries
In case it isn't already clear, I'm talking about two separate books here. One book is titled "Codependent No More" and the other is "Beyond Codependency." I picked them up at the library after hearing the term codependent used in The Emotionally Abusive Relationship. I've been interested in learning about the concept in the past and never gotten around to it.
So what is codependency? The term was coined originally to describe spouses of those dependent on alcohol or other drugs. For example, we'll say a woman is married to an alcoholic husband. The husband, dependent on the alcohol, is hampered in his ability to overcome alcoholism because of his codependent wife.
This does not mean the wife is an alcoholic and it does not mean she approves of the alcoholic's behavior. It means that her warped way of coping with that stress actually enables her husband's problem. She might try to ignore the problem, or try to solve the problem herself, or cover up for her husband--but whatever her behavior, she is actually taking responsibility for his behavior or her shoulders. She is an enabler--she makes it easy for him to be an alcoholic. When the problem gets worse and worse and the wife doesn't understand why, she's bound to feel hopeless, helpless, angry, stressed and probably bitter.
The term is now used in a more broad sense: you can use the term (or concept or ideas or paradigm, if you don't feel the need to use the latest pop culture terminology) to describe one who feels compelled to help others to the point of hurting themself and the intended compassionate recipient. The best line is these two books is that codependents do "all the wrong things for all the right reasons."
One of the most interesting, and least explored, concepts covered in the chronology or pattern of behavior. Here's my take:
First, the codependent is essentially a victim of somebody else's addictive or destructive behavior. As such, they are to be pitied and helped.
Next, the codependent tries to figure out how to cope with a situation that is not their fault and they have no control over. The natural instinct is to try to gain some control over the situation. But instead of doing it the healthy way--controlling themself by setting boundaries and knowing how to enforce them--they try to control the other person by "helping" them in various ways.
Lastly, when the problem gets worse and worse, the codependent becomes angry, bitter and dejected as a result of their failed attempts to gain some level of control over a situation that was already impossibly difficult to deal with. It is at this point that a codependent becomes an ugly force to be reckoned with. As they bounce between the second and third phase, they may play a Jekyll & Hyde game appearing intensely angry and controlling at some moments and at other moments seem to be the kindest, most giving person possible. It is at this stage that the original victim can become abusive.
At first, most people will be naturally drawn to a codependent because of the codependent's ability to give and give and give and give. When it eventually becomes apparent that the charitable behaviors are actually a warped way of controlling the world around them, a psychologically healthy person will turn the other direction and run as fast as they can. They will be able to sense inherently that their boundaries are being infringed on in a subtle and destructive manner.
I spent a lot of time pondering the conflict between charity and codependency, and wondering if I could really bring this book in line with my religious views. I'll save that for a separate blog entry. I also pondered my own tendency toward codependency. Did I learn behaviors that have been passed down through the generations? Or do I have some trauma I am dealing with in my life? Whatever the answer, my New Year's Resolution is to stop worrying about other people and learn to love and accept myself. So far, it's feeling fabulous and I think it is helping me to be more charitable toward others, rather than less charitable.
Okay, enough of explanations. I thought the concepts covered in these books were eye-opening and instructive. I think it's a great paradigm to explore. However, I think a better book could be written. Codependent No More is essentially the Go To book about codependency. I found it well written, but somewhat rambling and repetitive. (Somewhat like this blog?) Just as I found myself intrigued by a concept, the author would go into some lengthy story that only partially made sense to me, as somebody who has never dealt with an alcoholic or chemically dependent person. I actually enjoyed Beyond Codependency more because it dealt more with solutions to the problem than lengthy descriptions. Once I "got it," I "got it" and was bored with further detail in the first book.
I found myself wishing for a book that was written for a wider audience and in more broad terms, with less focus on the alcoholism angle. As it turns out, I found the perfect book by accident. I saw a book at Deseret Book titled "I Don't Have to Make Everything All Better" and was reminded of the codependency angle. So I bought it on a whim. It's exactly what I didn't realize I was looking for and it'll be up next in this four-part series of Self Help book reviews.
For more information about codependency:
According to Mental Health America (some random website I found online, which described it better than most) the symptoms of codependency are:
An exaggerated sense of responsibility for the actions of others
A tendency to confuse love and pity, with the tendency to “love” people they can pity and rescue
A tendency to do more than their share, all of the time
A tendency to become hurt when people don’t recognize their efforts
An unhealthy dependence on relationships. The co-dependent will do anything to hold on to a relationship; to avoid the feeling of abandonment
An extreme need for approval and recognition
A sense of guilt when asserting themselves
A compelling need to control others
Lack of trust in self and/or others
Fear of being abandoned or alone
Difficulty identifying feelings
Rigidity/difficulty adjusting to change
Problems with intimacy/boundaries
June 30, 2010
I thought I knew everything there was to know about co-dependency, but this book took it above and beyond my prior misconceptions. For anyone who has experienced emotional martyrdom and excessive guilt surrounding self-care issues, this is a necessary read! Beattie breaks down unnoticed learned behavior that's passed down through generations, behaviors that are often a result of living with an alcoholic parent or person with dysfunctional coping mechanisms. Although I wasn't directly affected by addictive issues in the family, growing up a triplet created some of the exact same self-sacrificing behavioral patterns that are talked about in this book. It's pretty amazing for anyone who has struggled to figure out why they often put others first but feel guilty taking care of themselves.
March 10, 2025
The more I read books like this, the more I'm realizing that I have come much farther in healing from toxic relationships than I thought. I couldn't really find myself relating to this. I do think it could be incredibly helpful for people who are currently going through tough relationships or the aftermath, but I'm just extremely blessed to be perfectly content in my relationship and I've dealt with feelings from past relationship traumas.
April 1, 2015
I decided to read this book because so many of my clients are reading or have read it. I figured it would be a good idea to know what they're reading, especially since these clients regard it so highly but seem to be making little progress. Now I know why. What a load of crap. If the author of this book is to be believed, everyone is codependent. Furthermore, she perpetuates victimhood: it's not my fault I'm codependent. It's a natural, understandable reaction to my childhood, adulthood, blah blah blah. There are so many better self-help books out there. This is one of the last ones I would recommend!
January 9, 2014
This book was recommended to me a few years ago as a classic in the genre for dealing with codependent behaviours. At the time, I read the first couple of chapters and tossed it aside. What I read didn't seem to click with my experience and I felt put off by the writing. Recently, it was given as a tentative recommendation again ("you may want to look into it to see if it will be useful for you") and I thought, with a distance of a few years, why not try it again? But my opinion hasn't changed much.
While I found the listing of codependent behaviours very useful and applicable, I couldn't find anything else in the book particularly useful to me. It feels incredibly dated and, while I do not doubt the author's enthusiasm and compassion, it was grating at many points. Another reviewer mentioned that the constant reference to alcoholism and twelve-step programs was irritating and problematic, and I very much agree. Codependent individuals who have no connection to alcohol or substance abuse, sick family members, or otherwise, are completely elided in the text and it seems as if you can only be codependent if you have some connection to one of these things. I don't. The very heavy, God-led, twelve-step program lauded by the author is also problematic because it is a very narrow view of spirituality and pushes that one world-view/belief system on the readers. The author also seems to have a very poor view of therapy, and I didn't appreciate the cavalier way she dismisses it, implying it's not as helpful as twelve-step plans.
My biggest problem with the book, overall, is the fact that it just plain isn't helpful. The discussion in each chapter can be reduced to something like this: "This is a behaviour you do, which causes a lot of pain to you and others. Just don't do that behaviour." Maybe some people would be able to just "stop" doing codependent behaviours - and kudos to them if they can! But it seems like the author believes everyone can just "stop it", and it's "just that easy". Stop doing the thing, and you'll feel better! Many times while reading, I found myself getting frustrated with this back and forth; there really wasn't any real help given to "stop doing the thing", save for just not doing it, or participating in a twelve-step program. In fact, start in a program and you'll just stop doing it! It was very frustrating and problematic.
I really felt like what was presented in the book didn't have any bearing on the problems I have. Maybe that is symptomatic of how old this book actually is, how dated. As it is, I found it more frustrating than helpful, and would suggest going to other books on this topic for help ( Meowbie's review has some recommendations).
While I found the listing of codependent behaviours very useful and applicable, I couldn't find anything else in the book particularly useful to me. It feels incredibly dated and, while I do not doubt the author's enthusiasm and compassion, it was grating at many points. Another reviewer mentioned that the constant reference to alcoholism and twelve-step programs was irritating and problematic, and I very much agree. Codependent individuals who have no connection to alcohol or substance abuse, sick family members, or otherwise, are completely elided in the text and it seems as if you can only be codependent if you have some connection to one of these things. I don't. The very heavy, God-led, twelve-step program lauded by the author is also problematic because it is a very narrow view of spirituality and pushes that one world-view/belief system on the readers. The author also seems to have a very poor view of therapy, and I didn't appreciate the cavalier way she dismisses it, implying it's not as helpful as twelve-step plans.
My biggest problem with the book, overall, is the fact that it just plain isn't helpful. The discussion in each chapter can be reduced to something like this: "This is a behaviour you do, which causes a lot of pain to you and others. Just don't do that behaviour." Maybe some people would be able to just "stop" doing codependent behaviours - and kudos to them if they can! But it seems like the author believes everyone can just "stop it", and it's "just that easy". Stop doing the thing, and you'll feel better! Many times while reading, I found myself getting frustrated with this back and forth; there really wasn't any real help given to "stop doing the thing", save for just not doing it, or participating in a twelve-step program. In fact, start in a program and you'll just stop doing it! It was very frustrating and problematic.
I really felt like what was presented in the book didn't have any bearing on the problems I have. Maybe that is symptomatic of how old this book actually is, how dated. As it is, I found it more frustrating than helpful, and would suggest going to other books on this topic for help ( Meowbie's review has some recommendations).
November 11, 2022
3.5 stars. I found that I got to learn more about myself and others in my life but that I was severely lacking in a codependent support group near where I live. But anywho a good starter to start working on that specific problem
November 28, 2016
Besides the poor writing style, this book is meaningless. If you are human you are codependent. Period!
Page after page, the same thing. Repetitive, preachy, persecutory but not redeeming. It reads as if written by an angry teenager. If you need an unhealthy dose of self-hate go for this book otherwise do yourself a favor and get a copy of one of Brene Brown's books.
Page after page, the same thing. Repetitive, preachy, persecutory but not redeeming. It reads as if written by an angry teenager. If you need an unhealthy dose of self-hate go for this book otherwise do yourself a favor and get a copy of one of Brene Brown's books.
February 17, 2008
If only I had read this book 10 years ago... I might not be in the mess I'm in now.
This is a good book for those in crisis mode. When you're beaten down and feeling trapped and you don't know what the hell is wrong with you, you need this book, which tells you over and over and over and over again: You're okay, you're a good person. You're okay, you're a good person. You're okay, you're a good person...
I stumbled upon this book a little late. I had already had my crisis, realized I needed to change my life and started taking steps in the right direction. Therefore, about half of the book I didn't need. I could see myself 5 or 10 years ago in a few chapters, 1 or 2 years ago in others. It made me a little angry that I had to go through some of the things I went through via trial and error, without the aid of this little self-help book. I could see how helpful it would have been if I had had it then. If you already know what co-dependency is, this isn't the book for you. This is a book for those who are struggling and have no idea what the hell is wrong with them. We all know these people. They don't know yet that they need help, but they do.
Help them. Give this book to someone you love.
This is a good book for those in crisis mode. When you're beaten down and feeling trapped and you don't know what the hell is wrong with you, you need this book, which tells you over and over and over and over again: You're okay, you're a good person. You're okay, you're a good person. You're okay, you're a good person...
I stumbled upon this book a little late. I had already had my crisis, realized I needed to change my life and started taking steps in the right direction. Therefore, about half of the book I didn't need. I could see myself 5 or 10 years ago in a few chapters, 1 or 2 years ago in others. It made me a little angry that I had to go through some of the things I went through via trial and error, without the aid of this little self-help book. I could see how helpful it would have been if I had had it then. If you already know what co-dependency is, this isn't the book for you. This is a book for those who are struggling and have no idea what the hell is wrong with them. We all know these people. They don't know yet that they need help, but they do.
Help them. Give this book to someone you love.
August 12, 2018
A very helpful and important book about co-dependency. The author speaks kindly and is supportive and there are lots of practical suggestions too. My criticisms would be that it seems very dated in places, and she does like to use the word "God" when I would've preferred her to use Higher Power, however, that should not diminish the significance or importance of this book. There is no mention of CoDA either, so I am guessing as an organisation, it did not exist when the book was written. It's a good start, for those who feel definitions and explanations of the term and actions around co-dependency are needed and is very helpful. Recommended
May 1, 2023
'Codependents make great employees. They don’t complain; they do more than their share; they do whatever is asked of them; they please people; and they try to do their work perfectly'
June 23, 2014
An eye-opening book that reveals many behaviors one adopts to handle living with someone with addiction problems, or as in my case, mental-health issues. I never realized the extent to which my relationship warped me, to some level my fault for allowing it to happen, but the book also presented a lot of ways to come to an understanding of what it means to be a codependent and also ways to combat and correct behavior. I didn't completely like the religious angles that much, though they will be good for some people, and at times it seemed as though there was an awfully large umbrella for which people could be defined as codependent. But I learned from this book and took a step in the right direction in trying to regain control of my life.
August 28, 2022
TL;DR: BŪKIM LABIAU ATSIPALAIDAVĘ
Poppsichologija, su daugeliu poppsichologijai būdingų nuodėmių, bet ir su privalumais, tai visai vertas laiko skaitinys. Nors teoriškai skirtas kopriklausomybės problemai (kondicija, būdinga priklausomybę turinčiųjų artimiesiems ir ypač su jais bendraujančiais on a daily basis), bet pati Beattie rašydama išplečia savo auditoriją ir sako, kad tam, jog būtum kopriklausomas, tavo artimasis nebūtinai turi sirgt alkoholizmu ar narkomanija - ji ar jis gali būti nervingas, pernelyg kontroliuojantis arba kaip visiškai apleidęs ir nesirūpinantis tėvas / mama. Žodžiu, prisitaikyti, ypač LT, savo situacijai gali daug kas - gal čia išvis yra šių laikų psichologijos mada / ženklas, tas "mano emocijos vaikystėje buvo neglectinamos, mano asmenybė buvo nepastebėta".
Beattie labai smulkinasi ir pateikia daugybę apibūdinimų, bet iš esmės kopriklausomieji jai yra tie, kurie nelinkę rūpintis savimi, linkę rūpintis tik kitų žmonių problemomis, jaučia nesveiką (nu tokią superhuman) atsakomybę už VISKĄ, yra linkę kontroliuoti viską aplinkui ir taip pat visa tai dramatizuoti, jaustis aukomis. Ir tada jie ir jos dalyvauja tame, ką Berne'as pavadintų alkoholiko žaidimu: vienas svaiginasi, kitas jį "gydo" ir įgalina.
Norint iš viso to išsikrapštyti, jos pagrindinis patarimas yra maždaug toks, kaip patariama gelbstint skęstantį žmogų: jei jus abu bloškia į kokią uolą ar atramą, plaukiantysis turi prisidengti skęstančiuoju, t. y. jei tu pats, kaip gelbėtojas, kelsi pavojų savo gyvybei, tai neišsigelbėsit nė vienas. Per visą knygą ji dalina patarimus, kaip atsiriboti nuo kitų žmonių problemų, kaip rūpintis savimi, kaip išlįsti iš nuolatinės kaltės ir savigraužos, kurios būna nemotyvuotos, nulemtos to per didelio (per didelio = kai jau tu dėl to kankiniesi, o ne džiaugiesi) susitelkimo į kitus.
PATIKO:
1. Kad iš esmės tai terapinė knyga, ji nespaudžia tavęs atpažinti savo problemą ir save kaip blogą ar pamatyti, kad tai, ką tu laikei normaliu elgesiu, nėra normalu. Priešingai, ji siekia tiesiog paglostyti tave ir patikinti - tu viską darai gerai, nieko tokio, visiems nutinka, svarbu per daug nesikankinti. Taip pat - nelaikyti savęs auka, nejausti per daug kaltės, kitaip tariant - nesusireikšminti. Tas yra labai gražu ir reikalinga.
2. Kad čia pat knyga kalba apie tai, kas nėra rūpestis savimi ir kaltės atsikratymas - piktybinis kito neišgirdimas ar elgesys, kai žinai, kad kenki kitam, nėra "savo poreikių tenkinimas", abejingumas ir pasyvi agresija nėra "rūpestis savimi" ar "savo ribų brėžimas".
3. Karpmano dramos trikampis. Kaip gelbėtojo, persekiotojo ir aukos vaidmenys susiję viens su kitu ir nuolat keičiasi, tu gelbsti kitą, tada pradedi jaustis auka, tada imi persekioti tą žmogų, tada jis tampa auka, tada tu jį gelbsti... Berne'as irgi apie tai rašė, bet jau buvau pamiršusi. Sveika prisimint iš naujo ir bent trumpam vėl įsikalti į galvą, kaip reikia stengtis nebūti toxic.
NEPATIKO:
1. Tikėjausi labiau analitinės, o ne self-helpo knygos, būtų buvę įdomu labiau sužinoti apie įvairius psichologinius mechanizmus. Dabar, be Karpmano dramos trikampio ar Kubler-Ross gedulo stadijų, analitikos mažai, istorijų mažai, tik žmonių citatos apie tai, kaip jiems blogai gyvent su priklausomais žmonėmis. No shit.
2. Vertimas. Nėra jis labai blogas, visur eina suprast apie ką kalbama, bet vietomis smarkiai nesušukuotas / nedaredaguotas. Visaip nutinka su tom knygom, bet kai skaitai antrą leidimą ir nežinia kelintą tiražą, nervuoja. Pvz:
3. Dievas ir self-helpas. Ar religinis kontekstas tikrai yra must psichologinėse knygose? Man labai patinka pavyzdžiai, kaip Jėzus padeda kitiems, bet tik tada, kai žmonės jo paprašo, ir padaro tai, ko jie prašo, o ne apipila neprašyta pagalba ir reikalauja dėkoti jam 24/7. Bet Beattie dievą įtraukia kaip būtiną pagalbos sau žingsnį, nuolat kalba apie atsidavimą Aukštesniajai Jėgai, nors ir pabrėžia, kad tą dievą galima bet kaip suprasti. Ok, aš galiu čia įrašyti likimą ir būti patenkinta. Bet ar galiu? O jei nenoriu? Gal nenoriu kasdien galvoti, kaip mano gyvenimą tvarko mistinė Aukštesnioji Jėga ar likimas? Veikiausiai tai rodo, kad esu control-freakas ir tikrai tinku prie kopriklausomų. Bet apie tai ir būtų įdomu paskaityti - kaip mokytis tą kontrolę paleisti, kaip mokytis nesinervuoti vien nuo minties, kad kažkokios aukštesnės jėgos tave valdo. (Freudas nesiskaito, pas jį jėgos žemesnės.) Bet Beattie visas tas jėgas pateikia kaip savaime suprantamą dalyką, nors jis toks anaiptol nėra. Pvz:
Žodžiu, iš knygos nieko labai naujo neišmoksi, bet žengti žingsnį atgal ir nereaguot impulsyviai, atpažinti savo gliukus visai galima pasimokyt. Psichologija neypatinga, bet geras self-helpas.
Poppsichologija, su daugeliu poppsichologijai būdingų nuodėmių, bet ir su privalumais, tai visai vertas laiko skaitinys. Nors teoriškai skirtas kopriklausomybės problemai (kondicija, būdinga priklausomybę turinčiųjų artimiesiems ir ypač su jais bendraujančiais on a daily basis), bet pati Beattie rašydama išplečia savo auditoriją ir sako, kad tam, jog būtum kopriklausomas, tavo artimasis nebūtinai turi sirgt alkoholizmu ar narkomanija - ji ar jis gali būti nervingas, pernelyg kontroliuojantis arba kaip visiškai apleidęs ir nesirūpinantis tėvas / mama. Žodžiu, prisitaikyti, ypač LT, savo situacijai gali daug kas - gal čia išvis yra šių laikų psichologijos mada / ženklas, tas "mano emocijos vaikystėje buvo neglectinamos, mano asmenybė buvo nepastebėta".
Beattie labai smulkinasi ir pateikia daugybę apibūdinimų, bet iš esmės kopriklausomieji jai yra tie, kurie nelinkę rūpintis savimi, linkę rūpintis tik kitų žmonių problemomis, jaučia nesveiką (nu tokią superhuman) atsakomybę už VISKĄ, yra linkę kontroliuoti viską aplinkui ir taip pat visa tai dramatizuoti, jaustis aukomis. Ir tada jie ir jos dalyvauja tame, ką Berne'as pavadintų alkoholiko žaidimu: vienas svaiginasi, kitas jį "gydo" ir įgalina.
Norint iš viso to išsikrapštyti, jos pagrindinis patarimas yra maždaug toks, kaip patariama gelbstint skęstantį žmogų: jei jus abu bloškia į kokią uolą ar atramą, plaukiantysis turi prisidengti skęstančiuoju, t. y. jei tu pats, kaip gelbėtojas, kelsi pavojų savo gyvybei, tai neišsigelbėsit nė vienas. Per visą knygą ji dalina patarimus, kaip atsiriboti nuo kitų žmonių problemų, kaip rūpintis savimi, kaip išlįsti iš nuolatinės kaltės ir savigraužos, kurios būna nemotyvuotos, nulemtos to per didelio (per didelio = kai jau tu dėl to kankiniesi, o ne džiaugiesi) susitelkimo į kitus.
PATIKO:
1. Kad iš esmės tai terapinė knyga, ji nespaudžia tavęs atpažinti savo problemą ir save kaip blogą ar pamatyti, kad tai, ką tu laikei normaliu elgesiu, nėra normalu. Priešingai, ji siekia tiesiog paglostyti tave ir patikinti - tu viską darai gerai, nieko tokio, visiems nutinka, svarbu per daug nesikankinti. Taip pat - nelaikyti savęs auka, nejausti per daug kaltės, kitaip tariant - nesusireikšminti. Tas yra labai gražu ir reikalinga.
2. Kad čia pat knyga kalba apie tai, kas nėra rūpestis savimi ir kaltės atsikratymas - piktybinis kito neišgirdimas ar elgesys, kai žinai, kad kenki kitam, nėra "savo poreikių tenkinimas", abejingumas ir pasyvi agresija nėra "rūpestis savimi" ar "savo ribų brėžimas".
3. Karpmano dramos trikampis. Kaip gelbėtojo, persekiotojo ir aukos vaidmenys susiję viens su kitu ir nuolat keičiasi, tu gelbsti kitą, tada pradedi jaustis auka, tada imi persekioti tą žmogų, tada jis tampa auka, tada tu jį gelbsti... Berne'as irgi apie tai rašė, bet jau buvau pamiršusi. Sveika prisimint iš naujo ir bent trumpam vėl įsikalti į galvą, kaip reikia stengtis nebūti toxic.
NEPATIKO:
1. Tikėjausi labiau analitinės, o ne self-helpo knygos, būtų buvę įdomu labiau sužinoti apie įvairius psichologinius mechanizmus. Dabar, be Karpmano dramos trikampio ar Kubler-Ross gedulo stadijų, analitikos mažai, istorijų mažai, tik žmonių citatos apie tai, kaip jiems blogai gyvent su priklausomais žmonėmis. No shit.
2. Vertimas. Nėra jis labai blogas, visur eina suprast apie ką kalbama, bet vietomis smarkiai nesušukuotas / nedaredaguotas. Visaip nutinka su tom knygom, bet kai skaitai antrą leidimą ir nežinia kelintą tiražą, nervuoja. Pvz:
Kartais gyvenant su alkoholiku, lyg ir neturinčiu didelių problemų, pavyzdžiui, negeriančiu, nedalyvaujančiu jokioje sveikimo programoje, mūsų "aš" gali būti daug sunkiau nei tada, kai problemos būna baisesnės. (p. 262)
3. Dievas ir self-helpas. Ar religinis kontekstas tikrai yra must psichologinėse knygose? Man labai patinka pavyzdžiai, kaip Jėzus padeda kitiems, bet tik tada, kai žmonės jo paprašo, ir padaro tai, ko jie prašo, o ne apipila neprašyta pagalba ir reikalauja dėkoti jam 24/7. Bet Beattie dievą įtraukia kaip būtiną pagalbos sau žingsnį, nuolat kalba apie atsidavimą Aukštesniajai Jėgai, nors ir pabrėžia, kad tą dievą galima bet kaip suprasti. Ok, aš galiu čia įrašyti likimą ir būti patenkinta. Bet ar galiu? O jei nenoriu? Gal nenoriu kasdien galvoti, kaip mano gyvenimą tvarko mistinė Aukštesnioji Jėga ar likimas? Veikiausiai tai rodo, kad esu control-freakas ir tikrai tinku prie kopriklausomų. Bet apie tai ir būtų įdomu paskaityti - kaip mokytis tą kontrolę paleisti, kaip mokytis nesinervuoti vien nuo minties, kad kažkokios aukštesnės jėgos tave valdo. (Freudas nesiskaito, pas jį jėgos žemesnės.) Bet Beattie visas tas jėgas pateikia kaip savaime suprantamą dalyką, nors jis toks anaiptol nėra. Pvz:
Mes tikime, kad Kažkas, galingesnis už mus, viską žino, yra viską nulėmęs ir Jam tai rūpi. Mes suprantame, kad Jis turi kur kas daugiau galių problemoms spręsti nei mes. Tad stengiamės nesipainioti Jo kelyje ir leisti Jam veikti. Ilgainiui suprantame, kad viskas yra gerai, nes keisčiausi [...] dalykai išsisprendžia kuo puikiausiai ir visiems viskas išeina į naudą. (p. 84)Ar savaime suprantama? Ne. Ar čia jogos pamoka, kur vizualizuojiesi ir nuo to nušviesėji? Nu irgi ne...
Įsivaizduokite, kaip perduodate į Dievo rankas žmogų ar problemą, dėl kurios esate susirūpinę. Įsivaizduokite Jo rankas, švelniai ir su meile laikančias tą žmogų ar noriai priimančias tą problemą. Šią akimirką viskas yra gerai. (p. 88)
Žodžiu, iš knygos nieko labai naujo neišmoksi, bet žengti žingsnį atgal ir nereaguot impulsyviai, atpažinti savo gliukus visai galima pasimokyt. Psichologija neypatinga, bet geras self-helpas.
June 1, 2021
Every single person should read this book -- whether you identify as being codependent or not. I read this slowly, over a few months, digesting each new piece and practicing applying everything in my day-to-day life. It opened my eyes to so much and has helped me grow immensely. I highly, highly recommend.
I was first introduced to the term "codependent" by my therapist a little over a year ago. I remember being flabberghasted. "NOT ME! I'm the most financially independent woman there is. I don't need a man or anyone for that matter!"
The truth was I didn't UNDERSTAND the meaning of the word codependent, or the behaviors of someone with codependency, and certainly not the birth of these behaviors. This book helped me to truly explore that, and I can only say that I am happier on the other side of this book -- and a hell of a lot less anxious LOL.
A great read for anyone who feels like they always put others first but no one does the same for them, or that they have given so much they have lost themselves, or who is trying to be or already on the other side of an abusive relationship and has no idea how to restart. Honestly, just a great read for anyone, period. Definitely a top read of the year for me.
I was first introduced to the term "codependent" by my therapist a little over a year ago. I remember being flabberghasted. "NOT ME! I'm the most financially independent woman there is. I don't need a man or anyone for that matter!"
The truth was I didn't UNDERSTAND the meaning of the word codependent, or the behaviors of someone with codependency, and certainly not the birth of these behaviors. This book helped me to truly explore that, and I can only say that I am happier on the other side of this book -- and a hell of a lot less anxious LOL.
A great read for anyone who feels like they always put others first but no one does the same for them, or that they have given so much they have lost themselves, or who is trying to be or already on the other side of an abusive relationship and has no idea how to restart. Honestly, just a great read for anyone, period. Definitely a top read of the year for me.
December 28, 2012
VERY helpful book for many women, including my former self. I have read and recommended, and bought this book countless times for others. I buy every copy I see at garage sales and used book stores, knowing that shortly, someone will come into my sphere that needs it. This book is about taking care of YOURSELF, your neglected areas of living and using boundaries, both on yourself (being caretakers we frequently overreach ourselves) and on others. It clears up messy areas of emotions and I think should be required reading for everyone.
"Its' not easy to find happiness in ourselves, and it is NOT possible to find it elsewhere".
Book discusses how to stop thinking of yourself as a victim- a victim of an abuser, of an alcoholic, of life. Discuses goal setting, thinking clearly, and how to begin to understand yourself as YOU see yourself not as others define you. Clearly, we are each created to our own purpose, and this book helps you discover yourself.
"Its' not easy to find happiness in ourselves, and it is NOT possible to find it elsewhere".
Book discusses how to stop thinking of yourself as a victim- a victim of an abuser, of an alcoholic, of life. Discuses goal setting, thinking clearly, and how to begin to understand yourself as YOU see yourself not as others define you. Clearly, we are each created to our own purpose, and this book helps you discover yourself.
April 1, 2013
As an adult child of alcoholic parents I am giving you forced "advice" to read this book. Ha! Just a little codependent joke. I just started to read this...it's heavy and hard to stomach at times, but definitely going to help me. I try to spend a little time with it every couple of days with a journal. So far it's been an amazing read. While it seems like I have a lot of work to do--it's all for the best. I have young children, and don't want to pass this stuff on...so I'm diving in and hopefully a better version of "me" will come of it!
February 26, 2024
This book felt like a light at the end of a tunnel, a way to describe and dissect the inner mind of a codependent, someone who struggles day to day as a result of a traumatic experience and dynamic.
It’s hard to rate a book like this without getting deeply personal but I found it really helpful and easy to understand
It’s hard to rate a book like this without getting deeply personal but I found it really helpful and easy to understand
July 27, 2023
I feel conflicted in giving this a rating as the good stuff is at 4-5, but the stuff that bothered me - which was unfortunately a lot - was around 1-2 . I'm going to give it a 3 at this point, as I do think there are some really good insights that I felt were beneficial. But there are also a lot of holes and incredible overemphasis on alcoholism and 12 Step program dogma, which I happen to feel strongly contain elements that are damaging and limiting in their approach and perspective. I cannot ethically support that view. It was also very presumptuously Christian. I feel annoyed and disrespected in light of these perspectives being so heavily 'pushed' - from the cover I had no idea that this was so primary to the entire contents of the book.
I have been aware of the term 'Codependent' for a long time, but it only recently popped up on my personal radar as something to look into and understand better. Within days of my starting to take an interest in the topic this book was referenced in another I was then reading (Traumata, by Meera Atkinson). A few weeks later I was looking at audiobooks in the local library and spotted this title, so immediately chose it.
I think the baseline message was articulated very well, in terms of what the core dynamics of codependency are - essentially, caring too much about, and being too influenced by, what other people think, want, etc. There was some really useful discussion about this, as well as plenty of individuals' stories which aided, to some degree, in describing some real-life scenarios that 'codependents' find themselves living and reliving.
I say 'to some degree' as all of the stories had alcoholism set as the main issue that codependency relates to. All the codependents in the book were involved with alcoholics. Some had been alcoholics themselves. Over-eating and obesity was mentioned a lot, too, and other substance abuse issues were also given light mention. I found it incredibly frustrating to have to continue to listen to the bombardment of 12 Steps views. I just found that lens to be far too myopic to do the actual topic of 'codependency' due justice. I contemplated not finishing the book, but stuck with it for the genuinely good good bits. I have personal lived experience of 12 Steps as well as really good recovery experience through approaching healing in other ways much more beneficial to me. I've read about other approaches to substance abuse recovery that deal more with what underlies it rather than making it the focus. My thoughts and feelings on 12 Steps are informed by a good mix of direct experience and relevant research. I could say A LOT more on this topic, but this is not the time or place for it. My point is just that I am not critical of 12 Steps on the basis of something flimsy, so by extension, I consider my concerns about this book to be valid and substantial.
I want to be very clear, though - I am NOT telling other people to abandon or avoid 12 Steps work if that is what they choose to engage for themselves. Nor am I discounting the experiences of those who feel they benefit from it - recovery and benefit are valuable however they come to any individual. My concern is the presumptuous presentation style of this book's contents, which seems to imply that healing codependence issues (or alcoholism, etc) is dependent on adherence to the 12 Steps - as if codependency is inextricably linked with 12 Steps view of illness and addiction, which is potentially damaging nonsense, in my view.
Also extremely irksome was the very commonly American style of presumptuous Christian proselytising (that said, I do think this American habit/ tendency is declining over recent years as respect for the differing views of others has grown, so perhaps, in this case, it is also a mark of an earlier era as the book was written in the '80s). I have been more involved with Buddhist practice and philosophy in my life, though I only really got into that when I found a Teacher who was as equally interested and engaged as I was with recognising what all Faith systems share. I was already in love with Hildegard von Bingen, and rather fond of St Claire and St Francis (I spent some time visiting a rural nunnery built alongside a monastery dedicated to these two). I have long loved mystical and contemplative Christian work. I have loved reading Matthew Fox and Thomas Merton, among others. Some of my role models are priests and nuns whose Christianity informs their social care work. I have my own relationship with God. And my God is NOT the God Melody Beattie frequently describes. And the issue here is not that I care about Melody Beattie's God specifically, but that a relationship with God - including not having such a relationship - is deeply personal and that I feel her manner of speaking about HER God is incredibly presumptuous (I've used that word a lot in this review, haven't I) and therefore disrespectful and inappropriate.
I do not agree that any healing is dependent on having a belief in any God, Higher Power or set steps. In my humble, imperfect, but conscientiously observed opinion, it is dependent on a deeply honest, deeply caring uncovering of both our personal layers of trauma and our inherent intelligence and wisdom. As far as I'm concerned, if anyone tries to tell you you need God, 12 Steps and Higher Power to heal, then I suggest running the other way because they are likely attempting some form of evangelical conversion - a form of violence completely antithetical to healing.
Beattie, at one point, claims she is not promoting the 12 Steps approach and defends her promotion (coz I say she is promoting it) by saying something like -'it is just my opinion'. These sorts of comments ring dishonest and avoidant to me. I think I would have more acceptance of this position if it was made explicitly clear on the cover of the book that it is coming from a 12 Step angle. Perhaps the subheading could include something like '... As informed by the 12 Steps.", as well as making it clear just how much alcoholism and substance use underpins the framing of codependency through the entire book. Be clear and upfront about the nature of the content so people are honestly informed about what they are getting into. I also think Beattie's manner of talking about her God and Christian beliefs ought to be openly qualified and articulated as HERS - it's ok for her to hold those beliefs, but own them honestly in a way that acknowledges that MANY others DO NOT share them. It is possible to communicate both of these at the same time - many people manage it easily and respectfully.
I did read a 1 star review by a woman dealing with codependency issues arising out of a traumatic, abusive childhood who said the book was very inadequate in speaking to her type of experience. I largely felt the same way. This was the first book on codependency I've read, and while there really were some genuine gems of insight peppered throughout I really hope there are other good books on the topic available which take in a much more broad, unbiased, rigorous approach to its examination.
I have been aware of the term 'Codependent' for a long time, but it only recently popped up on my personal radar as something to look into and understand better. Within days of my starting to take an interest in the topic this book was referenced in another I was then reading (Traumata, by Meera Atkinson). A few weeks later I was looking at audiobooks in the local library and spotted this title, so immediately chose it.
I think the baseline message was articulated very well, in terms of what the core dynamics of codependency are - essentially, caring too much about, and being too influenced by, what other people think, want, etc. There was some really useful discussion about this, as well as plenty of individuals' stories which aided, to some degree, in describing some real-life scenarios that 'codependents' find themselves living and reliving.
I say 'to some degree' as all of the stories had alcoholism set as the main issue that codependency relates to. All the codependents in the book were involved with alcoholics. Some had been alcoholics themselves. Over-eating and obesity was mentioned a lot, too, and other substance abuse issues were also given light mention. I found it incredibly frustrating to have to continue to listen to the bombardment of 12 Steps views. I just found that lens to be far too myopic to do the actual topic of 'codependency' due justice. I contemplated not finishing the book, but stuck with it for the genuinely good good bits. I have personal lived experience of 12 Steps as well as really good recovery experience through approaching healing in other ways much more beneficial to me. I've read about other approaches to substance abuse recovery that deal more with what underlies it rather than making it the focus. My thoughts and feelings on 12 Steps are informed by a good mix of direct experience and relevant research. I could say A LOT more on this topic, but this is not the time or place for it. My point is just that I am not critical of 12 Steps on the basis of something flimsy, so by extension, I consider my concerns about this book to be valid and substantial.
I want to be very clear, though - I am NOT telling other people to abandon or avoid 12 Steps work if that is what they choose to engage for themselves. Nor am I discounting the experiences of those who feel they benefit from it - recovery and benefit are valuable however they come to any individual. My concern is the presumptuous presentation style of this book's contents, which seems to imply that healing codependence issues (or alcoholism, etc) is dependent on adherence to the 12 Steps - as if codependency is inextricably linked with 12 Steps view of illness and addiction, which is potentially damaging nonsense, in my view.
Also extremely irksome was the very commonly American style of presumptuous Christian proselytising (that said, I do think this American habit/ tendency is declining over recent years as respect for the differing views of others has grown, so perhaps, in this case, it is also a mark of an earlier era as the book was written in the '80s). I have been more involved with Buddhist practice and philosophy in my life, though I only really got into that when I found a Teacher who was as equally interested and engaged as I was with recognising what all Faith systems share. I was already in love with Hildegard von Bingen, and rather fond of St Claire and St Francis (I spent some time visiting a rural nunnery built alongside a monastery dedicated to these two). I have long loved mystical and contemplative Christian work. I have loved reading Matthew Fox and Thomas Merton, among others. Some of my role models are priests and nuns whose Christianity informs their social care work. I have my own relationship with God. And my God is NOT the God Melody Beattie frequently describes. And the issue here is not that I care about Melody Beattie's God specifically, but that a relationship with God - including not having such a relationship - is deeply personal and that I feel her manner of speaking about HER God is incredibly presumptuous (I've used that word a lot in this review, haven't I) and therefore disrespectful and inappropriate.
I do not agree that any healing is dependent on having a belief in any God, Higher Power or set steps. In my humble, imperfect, but conscientiously observed opinion, it is dependent on a deeply honest, deeply caring uncovering of both our personal layers of trauma and our inherent intelligence and wisdom. As far as I'm concerned, if anyone tries to tell you you need God, 12 Steps and Higher Power to heal, then I suggest running the other way because they are likely attempting some form of evangelical conversion - a form of violence completely antithetical to healing.
Beattie, at one point, claims she is not promoting the 12 Steps approach and defends her promotion (coz I say she is promoting it) by saying something like -'it is just my opinion'. These sorts of comments ring dishonest and avoidant to me. I think I would have more acceptance of this position if it was made explicitly clear on the cover of the book that it is coming from a 12 Step angle. Perhaps the subheading could include something like '... As informed by the 12 Steps.", as well as making it clear just how much alcoholism and substance use underpins the framing of codependency through the entire book. Be clear and upfront about the nature of the content so people are honestly informed about what they are getting into. I also think Beattie's manner of talking about her God and Christian beliefs ought to be openly qualified and articulated as HERS - it's ok for her to hold those beliefs, but own them honestly in a way that acknowledges that MANY others DO NOT share them. It is possible to communicate both of these at the same time - many people manage it easily and respectfully.
I did read a 1 star review by a woman dealing with codependency issues arising out of a traumatic, abusive childhood who said the book was very inadequate in speaking to her type of experience. I largely felt the same way. This was the first book on codependency I've read, and while there really were some genuine gems of insight peppered throughout I really hope there are other good books on the topic available which take in a much more broad, unbiased, rigorous approach to its examination.
October 27, 2010
Quite the enlightening book...
Although I am not dealing specifically/only with an alcoholic, there are other controlling behaviors that this applies to. Not necessarily a chemical or substance dependency. Anything that affects your behavior that you find yourself trying to control situations to avoid that behavior.
Favorite Quotes:
A codependent person is one who has let another person's behavior affect him or her, and who is obsessed with controlling that person's behavior.
But, the heart of the definition and arecovery lies not in the 'other person'---no matter howmuch we believe it does. It lies in ourselves, in the ways we have let other people's behavior affect us and in the ways we try to affect them: the obsessing, the controlling, the obsessive 'helping', caretaking, low self-worth bordering on self-hatred, self-repression, abundance of anger and guilt, peculiar dependency on peculiar people, attraction to and tolerance for the biazrre, other-centeredness that results in abondonment of self, communication problems, intimacy problems, and an ongoing whirlwind trip through athe five-stage grief process. p 36
The word 'react' is important here. However you approach codependency, however you define it, and from whatever frame of reference you coose to diagnose and treat it, codependency is primarily a reactionary process. Codependents are reactionaries. They overreact. they underreact. but rarely do they 'act'. p 38
Detachment is based on the premises that each person is responsible for himself, that we can't solve problems that aren't ours to solve, and that worrying doesn't help. We adopt a policy of keeping our hands off other people's rsponsibilities and tend to our own instead. ...
We try to live happily---focusing heroically on what is good in our lives today, and feeling grateful for that. We learn the magical lesson that making the most of what we have turns it into more. Detachment involves "present moment living"--living in the here and now. We allow life to happen instead of forcing and trying to control it. we relinquish regrets over the past and fears about the future. We make the most of each day. ...
We trust that Someone greater than ourselves knows, has ordained, and cares about waht is happening. We undersatnd that this Someone can do much more to solve the problem than we can. So we try to stay out of His way and let HIm do it.
Detaching does not mean we don't care. It means we learn to love, care, and be involved without going crazy. p 62,63
A good rule of thumb is: You need to detach most when it seems the least likely or possible thing to do. p 65
When we attempt to control people and things that we have no business controlling, we are controlled. We forfeit our power to think, feel, and act in accordance with our best interests. Never forget that alcoholics and other troubled persons are expert controllers. We have met our match when we attempt to control them. we lose the battles, We lose the wars. We lose our selves---our lives. You didn't cause it; you can't control it; and you can't cure it. p 80
For each of us, there comes a time to let go. You will know when that time has come. when you have done all that you can do, it is time to detach. Deal with your feelings. Face your fears about losing control. Gain control of yourself and your responsibilities. Free others to be who they are. In so doing, you will set yourself free. p 82
Codependents are oppressed, depressed, and repressed. Many of us can quickly tell what someone else is feeling, why that person is feeling that way, how long they've felt that way, and what that person is probably going to do beccause of that feeling. Many of us spend our lives fussing about other people's feelings. We try to fix people's feelings. We try to control other people's feelings. We don't want to furt people, we don't want to upset them, and we don't want to offend them. We feel so responsible for other people's feelings. Yet we don't know what we are feeling. If we do, we don't know what to do to fix ourselves. many of us have abandoned or never taken responsibility for our emotional selves. p 142
Although I am not dealing specifically/only with an alcoholic, there are other controlling behaviors that this applies to. Not necessarily a chemical or substance dependency. Anything that affects your behavior that you find yourself trying to control situations to avoid that behavior.
Favorite Quotes:
A codependent person is one who has let another person's behavior affect him or her, and who is obsessed with controlling that person's behavior.
But, the heart of the definition and arecovery lies not in the 'other person'---no matter howmuch we believe it does. It lies in ourselves, in the ways we have let other people's behavior affect us and in the ways we try to affect them: the obsessing, the controlling, the obsessive 'helping', caretaking, low self-worth bordering on self-hatred, self-repression, abundance of anger and guilt, peculiar dependency on peculiar people, attraction to and tolerance for the biazrre, other-centeredness that results in abondonment of self, communication problems, intimacy problems, and an ongoing whirlwind trip through athe five-stage grief process. p 36
The word 'react' is important here. However you approach codependency, however you define it, and from whatever frame of reference you coose to diagnose and treat it, codependency is primarily a reactionary process. Codependents are reactionaries. They overreact. they underreact. but rarely do they 'act'. p 38
Detachment is based on the premises that each person is responsible for himself, that we can't solve problems that aren't ours to solve, and that worrying doesn't help. We adopt a policy of keeping our hands off other people's rsponsibilities and tend to our own instead. ...
We try to live happily---focusing heroically on what is good in our lives today, and feeling grateful for that. We learn the magical lesson that making the most of what we have turns it into more. Detachment involves "present moment living"--living in the here and now. We allow life to happen instead of forcing and trying to control it. we relinquish regrets over the past and fears about the future. We make the most of each day. ...
We trust that Someone greater than ourselves knows, has ordained, and cares about waht is happening. We undersatnd that this Someone can do much more to solve the problem than we can. So we try to stay out of His way and let HIm do it.
Detaching does not mean we don't care. It means we learn to love, care, and be involved without going crazy. p 62,63
A good rule of thumb is: You need to detach most when it seems the least likely or possible thing to do. p 65
When we attempt to control people and things that we have no business controlling, we are controlled. We forfeit our power to think, feel, and act in accordance with our best interests. Never forget that alcoholics and other troubled persons are expert controllers. We have met our match when we attempt to control them. we lose the battles, We lose the wars. We lose our selves---our lives. You didn't cause it; you can't control it; and you can't cure it. p 80
For each of us, there comes a time to let go. You will know when that time has come. when you have done all that you can do, it is time to detach. Deal with your feelings. Face your fears about losing control. Gain control of yourself and your responsibilities. Free others to be who they are. In so doing, you will set yourself free. p 82
Codependents are oppressed, depressed, and repressed. Many of us can quickly tell what someone else is feeling, why that person is feeling that way, how long they've felt that way, and what that person is probably going to do beccause of that feeling. Many of us spend our lives fussing about other people's feelings. We try to fix people's feelings. We try to control other people's feelings. We don't want to furt people, we don't want to upset them, and we don't want to offend them. We feel so responsible for other people's feelings. Yet we don't know what we are feeling. If we do, we don't know what to do to fix ourselves. many of us have abandoned or never taken responsibility for our emotional selves. p 142
September 30, 2022
I had heard good things about this book, so I was looking forward to reading it. But as I read, it became obvious that the author was not accounting for systemic oppression, neurodivergencies, power imbalances in relationships, or any mental illnesses other than addiction. She constantly suggests Christianity is required to heal from codependency, even though the book is not advertised as a religious work. She references debunked mental health concepts and disorders, contradicts herself frequently, and lists healthy human behaviors (such as crying or feeling frustrated) along with domestic abuse (such as controlling a partner's access to resources or threatening them with violence) as implied equal symptoms of codependency. While she pays lip service to therapy and medication for mental health, she also repeatedly stigmatizes them and suggests they are ineffective. The first few chapters have a judgmental, blaming, and abrasive tone toward codependent people, before flipping to a more sympathetic tone that contradicts many of the earlier points, making the beginning an off-putting and needless experience. Lastly, the book actually focuses not on general codependency, but on people with loved ones who have compulsive behaviors; many pages are devoted to explaining and recommending 12-step programs. Overall, this book would have benefitted from massive editing to make the concepts cohesive, a more accurate title, and sensitivity readers.
January 1, 2022
This can make for an interesting read if you don't get too hung up on the terminology.
Codependent? Enmeshed? People-pleaser? The bottom-line is most people can probably benefit from this book, and you (thankfully) don't have to be an addict or the spouse of an addict to find meaning in it.
Melody Beattie's enthusiasm for life jumps out at you from the pages, and that made for some quick and easy reading. I did weed out the passages I felt really didn't apply - like the 12-step program or the overly religious parts. I still think we all have some traits described in this book and if you take a step back anyone can find some tidbits in there to munch on.
Codependent? Enmeshed? People-pleaser? The bottom-line is most people can probably benefit from this book, and you (thankfully) don't have to be an addict or the spouse of an addict to find meaning in it.
Melody Beattie's enthusiasm for life jumps out at you from the pages, and that made for some quick and easy reading. I did weed out the passages I felt really didn't apply - like the 12-step program or the overly religious parts. I still think we all have some traits described in this book and if you take a step back anyone can find some tidbits in there to munch on.
May 28, 2021
I was introduced to the concept of codependency by my therapist -- which she described as letting others' feelings dictate our own -- and ever since, it has felt like a door has unlocked. This book is pretty old for a self help book, but I still found so much of it to be relatable and worthwhile. For so long I couldn't understand why certain people's moods consumed my thoughts, why I felt like I needed permission to do things though I'm certainly an adult, why I struggled to just relax and have fun -- it was all codependency, and just to know that has been validating and healing for me.
Much of this book references alcoholism (people often develop codependent behaviors in response to having an addict in their lives), and while that is not what brought about my codependent behaviors, I still found this book to be really helpful. I imagine that it could be particularly resonant for those actually in that situation.
There's also an app based on another book by the author, The Language of Letting Go, that offers daily thoughts to meditate on (my therapist recommended that for me, too). I've really loved that because, unlike a book, which I read and then put aside, the app brings up one small idea for me every day.
If any of this resonates with you, I'd definitely recommend any book by this author or "the Language of Letting Go" app.
Much of this book references alcoholism (people often develop codependent behaviors in response to having an addict in their lives), and while that is not what brought about my codependent behaviors, I still found this book to be really helpful. I imagine that it could be particularly resonant for those actually in that situation.
There's also an app based on another book by the author, The Language of Letting Go, that offers daily thoughts to meditate on (my therapist recommended that for me, too). I've really loved that because, unlike a book, which I read and then put aside, the app brings up one small idea for me every day.
If any of this resonates with you, I'd definitely recommend any book by this author or "the Language of Letting Go" app.
September 28, 2017
Religious mumbo jumbo
August 11, 2024
۲۱ مرداد ۱۴۰۳
October 12, 2015
It's sort of hard to rate self-help books so I'm just going to rate this one on how helpful it was to me in particular. I would say it was 50% helpful. Simply reading its descriptions of codependency was really instructive. Lately, I've been hearing the word codependent used a lot, and most people are not using it correctly (for example, I've heard several people use it to describe couples who can't go out without each other, and that's not really what it means). Codependency has a very wide definition, but the best way that I understand it after reading this book is that codependent people let the negative behaviors of those around them affect their own feelings and behaviors in a negative way. As a result, codependents become controlling, moody and often adopt a martyr syndrome that never fixes anything. The book, which is geared towards family members of alcoholics, clarifies a lot of these unhealthy behaviors and gives tips on how to be self-aware and how to manage our emotions, which I find to be helpful, even if it's not groundbreaking scientific work or whatever.
Not helpful: the content was pretty repetitive after awhile, and there was too much talk about God for my taste, especially towards the end. She snuck it into the beginning in a way that many self-help books do ("It helps to find a spiritual power of some sort, whatever your beliefs"), but by the end, she was quoting Bible verses and throwing around tons of "Put your trust in God" verbiage that just made me feel like barf, no thanks.
Still, this book is a great introduction to codepedency. I would recommend it to anyone who has a family member or loved one who is alcoholic, compulsive or just generally hard to be around.
Not helpful: the content was pretty repetitive after awhile, and there was too much talk about God for my taste, especially towards the end. She snuck it into the beginning in a way that many self-help books do ("It helps to find a spiritual power of some sort, whatever your beliefs"), but by the end, she was quoting Bible verses and throwing around tons of "Put your trust in God" verbiage that just made me feel like barf, no thanks.
Still, this book is a great introduction to codepedency. I would recommend it to anyone who has a family member or loved one who is alcoholic, compulsive or just generally hard to be around.
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