Codependency is a pattern of behaviors where one person has let another person’s behavior adversely affect their own personal sense of comfort, well-being and balance. A common understanding of codependency is the relationship between the addict/alcoholic and the people around them. You may be negatively impacted as evidenced by feelings of responsibility for other’s feelings, thoughts, actions, and choices. You may experience a need to control other’s behaviors. The attempts to control others often leads to feelings of despair and helplessness.
For further reading:
http://coda.org/
www.al-anon.org