Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself

The historical context surrounding the publication of Melody Beattie’s Codependent No More and its subsequent revised edition spans from the 1980s to the present day, reflecting significant changes in the landscape of self-help and mental health.

In the 1980s, when Codependent No More was first published, the concept of codependency was relatively new and not widely understood. The term had emerged in the late 1970s, primarily in the context of addiction and recovery. It was used to describe the enabling and dysfunctional behaviors of family members and partners of individuals with substance abuse disorders. The 1980s saw a growing interest in self-help and personal growth, fueled in part by the increasing popularity of 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Al-Anon. These programs emphasized the importance of taking responsibility for one’s own well-being and breaking free from dysfunctional patterns. Beattie’s book resonated with readers because it expanded the concept of codependency beyond the realm of addiction. She argued that codependent behaviors could manifest in various types of relationships and were rooted in issues of low self-esteem, poor

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