11 Essential Strategies To Survive Codependency And Live In Recovery With Self

Codependency is a term often used in relation to addiction, but it can affect anyone who struggles with maintaining healthy relationships. It refers to a behavioral pattern where one person relies heavily on another to fulfill their emotional needs, often to their own detriment. In this article, we will explore 11 essential strategies to break free from codependency and live a fulfilling life in recovery with a strong sense of self.

1. Recognize the Problem

The first step in overcoming codependency is to acknowledge that you have a problem. Reflect on your relationships and identify any patterns of excessive dependency or sacrificing your own needs for others. Awareness is the first step towards change.

2. Practice Self-Care

Codependents often neglect their own well-being in favor of taking care of others. It is crucial to prioritize self-care, meet your own needs, and engage in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment.

I Loved an Alcoholic But Hated the Drinking: 11 Essential Strategies to Survive Codependency and Live in Recovery with Self-Love

by Grace Wroldson (Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3586 KB
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3. Set Boundaries

Establishing clear boundaries is essential to protect yourself and maintain healthy relationships. Learn to express your needs and limitations, and be assertive in enforcing them.

4. Focus on Personal Growth

Invest in your own personal growth and development. Explore new hobbies, pursue your passions, and set personal goals. By focusing on self-improvement, you will become more independent and boost your self-esteem.

5. Seek Support

Reach out to trusted friends, family members, or support groups who can provide a safe space for you to share your experiences and feelings. Surrounding yourself with a supportive network is crucial in your journey towards recovery.

6. Learn Healthy Communication

Codependency often stems from poor communication skills. Enhance your communication abilities by actively listening, expressing your thoughts clearly, and practicing empathy. Effective communication promotes healthier relationships.

7. Practice Emotional Independence

Develop emotional independence by learning to regulate and manage your own emotions. Avoid seeking validation solely from others and focus on building a strong sense of self-worth from within.

8. Challenge Negative Beliefs

Codependents often hold negative beliefs about themselves, leading to low self-esteem and a constant need for external validation. Challenge these beliefs by recognizing your strengths and accomplishments and practicing self-compassion.

9. Develop Healthy Coping Mechanisms

Replace unhealthy coping mechanisms such as excessive caretaking or enabling with healthier alternatives. Engage in activities like exercise, meditation, journaling, or therapy to manage stress and difficult emotions.

10. Practice Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a crucial part of the healing process. Forgive yourself and others for past mistakes, let go of resentment, and focus on moving forward with a positive mindset.

11. Seek Professional Help

If codependency persists or becomes overwhelming, seeking professional help is highly recommended. Therapists can provide guidance and support as you navigate the complexities of codependency and recovery.

In , breaking free from codependency requires a conscious effort to prioritize self-care, set boundaries, and practice healthy communication. By implementing these 11 essential strategies, you can reclaim your independence, enhance your well-being, and live a fulfilling life in recovery with a strong sense of self.

I Loved an Alcoholic But Hated the Drinking: 11 Essential Strategies to Survive Codependency and Live in Recovery with Self-Love

by Grace Wroldson (Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3586 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	145 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

Breaking her silence, sharing her success, in Grace's second book, she gives 11 essential strategies to survive loving an alcoholic—sharing what she calls "the self-love solution."

What Can Self-Love Do For You?

“Have you ever loved a person so much that you stopped loving yourself?”

Love—beautiful in all its glory—can sometimes be a terrible thing. Love tainted with alcohol and laced with codependency can easily turn beauty into despair.

Grace W. Wroldson found herself caught in a war. She realized that she loved an alcoholic, but in exchange she gave up loving herself. Rather than continue to seek help for him, instead, she sought help and healing for herself. To save her own life, she called forth a wrath of self-love.

On his very first Father’s Day, she realized just how severe the drinking had become when he drove intoxicated across three towns to visit their newborn baby.

That day reminded her of exactly why she ended the toxic relationship with him. Why couldn’t he see that his drinking was dangerous? That he was losing everything? What was wrong with him? Crushed for the hundredth time, she asked herself—“What is wrong with me?”

Determined to save her child from an alcoholic home, she found the courage to stop all his visits. But to her horror, the family courts ordered unsupervised visitations for the alcoholic. Reluctantly, choking back her shock, grief, and tears, she pried her clinging, crying baby out of her arms, and buckled her into the alcoholic’s truck—as she was ordered to do.

Powered by her recovery and using these strategies, she battled in court, obtained interventions, and was blessed to watch her child thrive as the result of her new choices. She learned how to win “the war within” to live a happy and fulfilling life. Her strategies were her secrets to their safety and success. She survived alcoholic-love and gained the rewards of self-love.

In her new book, I Loved an Alcoholic, But Hated the Drinking: 11 Essential Strategies to Survive Codependency and Live in Recovery with Self-Love, Grace continues her journey of recovery by sharing her wisdom to help you overcome it all. These specific strategies are for a struggling codependent. To help you find your strength and begin again— with a focus on yourself. Learn how to “strategize to survive” and use your power of choice.

“I know you love them, but is it time to love yourself more?”

Grace W. Wroldson is a survivor, mother, and author of So, You Love an… Alcoholic?: Lessons for a Codependent, and has worked her recovery program for over twenty years. She encourages others who are struggling with codependency issues to courageously place themselves in the center of their own lives. Her mission is to help spare children from toxic, alcoholic homes.