Challenging Codependency: Feminist Critiques

In the field of addiction research and counselling there has been an increasing investment in the theory of codependency - a theory that holds women partly responsible for perpetuating the alcoholism and addiction of their male partners. This is the first anthology of feminist essays that presents a cogent critique of this theory. The unifying feature of the eighteen essays collected here is the revelation that solid evidence contradicts, rather than supports, the theory of codependency. Its assumptions are found to be unsubstantiated in theory and practice. The contributors to the volume explore the history of codependency theory and look at reasons for its growing popularity in medical-model politics. A central theme emerges: that codependency theory is essentially misogynist in nature - the result of a male backlash against feminism. The collection leaves no doubt that this backlash is effective. These essays reveal the many ways that codependency therapy promotes advice and counselling that is damaging and ultimately fails women seeking help for their distress. This anthology, aimed at professionals as well as readers at large reveals a remarkable body of literature questioning the validity of popular addictions philosophy about women and the quality of the scholarship that supports those theories.