Codependency Facts and Statistics

What does a codependent relationship look like? Learn the characteristics of codependency, statistics about its prevalence and strategies to re-establish balance in these relationships.

While all relationships require a certain amount of give and take, an unhealthy imbalance may be a sign of codependency. Codependency is characterized by an unhealthy or obsessive dependence on another person, or a willingness to sacrifice one’s own wants and needs to please another in order to feel loved or validated. Codependent relationships can exist in a range of circumstances but are common among families where stress or dysfunction — such as substance abuse disorders or trauma — are present.

People with codependency may demonstrate low self-esteem, obsessiveness, people-pleasing behaviors and difficulty setting boundaries. Understanding the prevalence of codependency can be an important step toward establishing healthy relationships and setting boundaries.

Prevalence of Codependency

Although the exact prevalence of codependency in the population is difficult to capture, it is estimated that rates are higher among certain populations. Specifically, codependency may be more common among those who have experienced early life trauma, are in a close relationship with someone with a substance use disorder or have certain personality traits that make them susceptible to codependency, such as scoring high on anxiety, need for approval or self-defeating thoughts.

Codependency in Men vs. Women

While codependency in women may be assumed to be more common than codependency in men, this assumption stems more from traditional gender stereotypes than significant biological differences. Gender differences in codependency may also be related to different rates of substance use among men and women. Some research suggests that codependency is more related to personality than gender.

Codependency in Adults

The experience of codependency can be cyclical, as it is often passed between generations. Causes of codependency in adults are often linked to having grown up in challenging or stressful family circumstances, such as environments with addiction or mental illness.  Symptoms of codependency in adults can include low self-esteem, people-pleasing, trouble managing emotions and communicating, and obsessive thinking. Codependent adults may have a hard time living independently and maintaining healthy romantic and familial relationships.

Codependency in Children

Children with a codependent parent often learn codependent behaviors from that parent. Children with a codependent parent or substance use in the home may feel as though their self-worth is tied to pleasing their parent, or may feel insecure or anxious about the parent-child relationship, which perpetuates the cycle of codependency. A stressful environment in early life, childhood trauma and unstable parenting are some of the strongest predictors of codependency.

Codependency and Co-Occurring Disorders

Codependency shares traits and symptoms with other mental disorders, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). For example, codependency and depression are closely related, as they share common features such as low self-esteem and self-worth. Obsessive thoughts are something that codependency may have in common with OCD. Although codependency itself is not a personality disorder, it can often co-occur with borderline personality disorder or narcissistic personality disorder. Importantly, professional support can help to differentiate and manage these disorders.

Codependency and Substance Abuse

The term “codependency” was initially used to describe someone close to or caring for a person with a substance use disorder or alcoholism. Although codependency now includes a broader range of relationships, those caring for someone with a substance use disorder often feel shame, have low self-esteem, take excessive responsibility, be overly involved, and minimize their own wants and needs. Substance abuse can promote codependency, dysfunction and imbalance in relationships, and make it difficult for loved ones to have fulfilling and healthy connections with one another.

Codependency Treatment and Prognosis

The imbalance that codependency can bring to relationships and an individual’s well-being can be harmful to all those involved. Seeking treatment for codependency often involves:

• Learning how to set boundaries
• Seeking fulfillment as an individual, rather than being dependent on others
• Creating distance from codependent relationships
• Seeking support from others close to you, not just codependent individual

Codependent habits and beliefs can be deeply ingrained and often take time, patience and support to overcome. Seeking help from a professional, as well as those close to you, can be beneficial in restoring healthy boundaries, self-worth and quality of life.

If you or someone you love is affected by codependency and substance abuse, The Recovery Village can help. Contact us today to discuss possible treatment plans.

Editor – Megan Hull

Megan Hull is a content specialist who edits, writes and ideates content to help people find recovery. Read more

Medically Reviewed By – Dr. Sarah Dash, PHD

Dr. Sarah Dash is a postdoctoral research fellow based in Toronto. Sarah completed her PhD in Nutritional Psychiatry at the Food and Mood Centre at Deakin University in 2017. Read more