Codependency, or relationship addiction, is an excessive, all-consuming dependency on a specific relationship. Most codependent relationships involve some form of underlying problem, such as addiction, abuse, or mental illness. In healthy relationships, it’s natural to rely on each other for support, in fact it’s what Scripture calls us to do. However, there’s a difference between depending on someone for emotional, financial, or physical support and being codependent.

Mental health and wellness and substance abuse and addiction can and do often overlap. As those living in the ministry we may feel and believe that these co-occurring issues don’t pertain to us, but they do. In this episode in our series on addiction we will be discussing co-occurring issues and their effect on us, even us living in the shadow of the cross.

Substance abuse in its many forms is something that affects people no matter the communities they live in or their race, religion, or socio-economic background. Even those of us living in the shadow of the cross wrestle with the disease of substance abuse. Our episode today in our series on addiction will start us in our discussions on substance abuse and how this disease quietly enters our lives.