Substance Abuse and Abuse Q 6
Kendall, the sister of a client with a substance-related disorder, tells the nurse she calls out sick for her sister Kylie occasionally when the latter has too much to drink and cannot work. This behavior can be described as:
A. Caretaking
B. Codependent
C. Helpful
D. Supportive
Correct Answer: B. Codependent
Enabling behaviors that inadvertently promote continued use of a substance by the person abusing substances is known as codependency. Codependency is a type of dysfunctional relationship that involves one person’s self-esteem and emotional needs being dependent on the other person. The codependent person may also enable the other person’s unhealthy behaviors.
Option A: The sister’s behavior is not an example of caretaking or support. She is taking responsibility for the client’s behavior and allowing her to avoid the consequences of his abuse problem. People in a relationship with those who have alcohol use disorder can develop codependency, which is an unhealthy focus on the other person’s needs over their own. Nonetheless, codependency can happen in relationships without alcoholism, generally in a different type of caretaker situation, such as a relationship involving a physical or mental illness. Treatment can help people with codependency improve their own self-esteem and learn to have healthier relationships.
Option C: Alcohol abuse can isolate a person from the outside world. But at home, in the family, there is no isolation or separation; everyone who lives with an alcoholic is affected by their illness and the frightening and unpredictable behavior it causes.
Option D: The behavior is unhelpful and unsupportive. Oftentimes, when family dynamics are corrupted by alcohol the two dominant emotions in the household are denial and shame, which are clearly interrelated. The whole family may cooperate in hiding the truth about the alcohol abuse from others, even as they refuse to accept the full truth among themselves. Extended family members may or may not go along with this ruse, but if they do try to confront the person with the alcohol use disorder they may be rebuffed—not just by the alcoholic, but by spouses, children, or others living in the home.