The New Codependency

The New Codependency is an owner’s manual for learning to be who you are and provides the tools necessary to reclaim your life by renouncing unhealthy practices. In Codependent No More, Melody Beattie introduced the world to the term codependency. Now a modern classic, this book established Beattie as a pioneer in self-help literature and endeared her to millions of readers who longed for healthier relationships. Twenty-five years later, concepts such as self-care and setting boundaries have become entrenched in mainstream culture. Now Beattie has written a follow-up volume, The New Codependency, which clears up misconceptions about codependency, identifies how codependent behaviour has changed, and provides a new generation with a roadmap to wellness. The question remains: What is and what is not codependency? Beattie reminds us that much of codependency is normal behaviour. It’s about crossing lines. There are times we do too much, care too much, feel too little, or overly engage. Feeling resentment after giving is not the same as heartfelt generosity. Narcissism and self-love, enabling and nurturing, and controlling and setting boundaries are not interchangeable terms. In The New Codependency, Beattie explores these differences, effectively invoking her own inspiring story and those of others, to empower us to step out of the victim role forever. She shows that codependency is not an illness but rather a series of behaviours that, once broken down and analysed, can be successfully combated. Each section offers an overview and a series of activities pertaining to particular behaviours—caretaking, controlling, manipulation, denial, repression, etc.—enabling us to personalise our own step-by-step guide to wellness. These sections, in conjunction with a series of tests that allow us to assess the level of our codependent behaviour, demonstrate that while it may not seem possible now, we have the power to take care of ourselves, no matter what we are experiencing.