80 Best Codependency Books of All Time

We've researched and ranked the best codependency books in the world, based on recommendations from world experts, sales data, and millions of reader ratings. Learn more

Featuring recommendations from Daymond John, Scott Adams, Timothy Ferriss, and 96 other experts.
1
You can go after the job you want—and get it!
You can take the job you have—and improve it!
You can take any situation—and make it work for you!

Dale Carnegie’s rock-solid, time-tested advice has carried countless people up the ladder of success in their business and personal lives. One of the most groundbreaking and timeless bestsellers of all time, How to Win Friends & Influence People will teach you:

-Six ways to make people like you
-Twelve ways to win people to your way of thinking
-Nine ways to change people without arousing...
more

Dustin MoskovitzSeek to be understood. (Source)

Scott Adams[Scott Adams recommends this book on his "Persuasion Reading List."] (Source)

Daymond JohnI love all the Dale Carnegie books. (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

2
The healing touchstone of millions, this modern classic by one of America's best-loved and most inspirational authors holds the key to understanding codependency and to unlocking its stultifying hold on your life.

Is someone else's problem your problem? If, like so many others, you've lost sight of your own life in the drama of tending to someone else's, you may be codependent--and you may find yourself in this book--Codependent No More.The healing touchstone of millions, this modern classic by one of America's best-loved and most inspirational authors holds the key to...
more
Recommended by Whitney Cummings, and 1 others.

Whitney CummingsIf you want to know more about codependence I would say read [this book]. (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

3
Having clear boundaries is essential to a healthy, balanced lifestyle. A boundary is a personal property line that marks those things for which we are responsible. In other words, boundaries define who we are and who we are not. Boundaries impact all areas of our lives: Physical boundaries help us determine who may touch us and under what circumstances -- Mental boundaries give us the freedom to have our own thoughts and opinions -- Emotional boundaries help us to deal with our own emotions and disengage from the harmful, manipulative emotions of others -- Spiritual boundaries help us to... more
Recommended by Dave Ramsey, Greg McKeown, and 2 others.

Dave Ramsey[Dave Ramsey recommended this book on his website.] (Source)

Greg McKeownI really like [this book]. (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

4
Written for those of us who struggle with codependency, these daily meditations offer growth and renewal, and remind us that the best thing we can do is take responsibility for our own self-care.

Melody Beattie integrates her own life experiences and fundamental recovery reflections in this unique daily meditation book written especially for those of us who struggle with the issue of codependency. Problems are made to be solved, Melody reminds us, and the best thing we can do is take responsibility for our own pain and self-care. In this daily inspirational book, Melody...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

5

In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts

Close Encounters with Addiction

Based on Gabor Maté’s two decades of experience as a medical doctor and his groundbreaking work with the severely addicted on Vancouver’s skid row, In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts radically reenvisions this much misunderstood field by taking a holistic approach. Dr. Maté presents addiction not as a discrete phenomenon confined to an unfortunate or weak-willed few, but as a continuum that runs throughout (and perhaps underpins) our society; not a medical "condition" distinct from the lives it affects, rather the result of a complex interplay among personal history, emotional, and... more
Recommended by Johann Hari, and 1 others.

Johann HariIf you wanted to design a system that would make addiction worse, you’d design the system we have now. (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

6
A few years ago, Tiffany Jenkins was detoxing behind bars at a Florida prison, incarcerated on 20 felony charges. Now, she's clean and sober, a married mother of three. As she found her way in her new life, she started sharing on social media as an outlet for her depression and anxiety. She struck a chord, several of her videos went viral (one with 46million views), and in the past year her following exploded from a few hundred thousand to more than 3 million.

The memoir opens in the Florida women's prison where Tiffany was incarcerated for 180 days. The memoir flashes back in time...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

7
Revised and Updated With Over 600,000 Copies Sold

Pia Mellody creates a framework for identifying codependent thinking, emotions and behaviour and provides an effective approach to recovery. Mellody sets forth five primary adult symptoms of this crippling condition, then traces their origin to emotional, spiritual, intellectual, physical and sexual abuses that occur in childhood. Central to Mellody's approach is the concept that the codependent adult's injured inner child needs healing. Recovery from codependence, therefore, involves clearing up the toxic emotions...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

8
In simple, straightforward terms, Beattie takes you into the territory beyond codependency, into the realm of recovery and relapse, family-of-origin work and relationships, surrender and spirituality.

You're learning to let go, to live your life free of the grip of someone else's problems. And yet you find you've just started on the long journey of recovery. Let Melody Beattie, author of the classic Codependent No More, help you along your way. A guided tour past the pitfalls of recovery, Beyond Codependency is dedicated to those struggling to master the art of self-care. It is a...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

9
The New York Times bestselling self-help book that offers advice on how to find and choose the recovery program for you, as well as a directory of the wide range of Twelve Step programs, including AA, Codependents Anonymous, Codependents of Sex Addicts, Adult Children of Alcoholics, and more.

Millions identified with Melody Beattie in Codependent No More and gained inspiration from her in Beyond Codependency. Now she’s back to help you discover how recovery programs work and to help you find the right one for you. Interpreting the famous Alcoholics Anonymous...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

10
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 followup volume, The New Codependency, which clears up misconceptions about codependency, identifies how codependent behavior has changed, and provides a new generation with a... more

See more recommendations for this book...

Don't have time to read the top Codependency books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
11

Facing Love Addiction

Giving Yourself the Power to Change the Way You Love

In this revised and updated version of Facing Love Addiction, bestselling author of Facing Codependence and internationally recognized dependence and addiction authority Pia Mellody unravels the intricate dynamics of unhealthy love relationships and shows us how to let go of toxic love. Through twelve-step work, exercises, and journal-keeping, Facing Love Addiction compassionately and realistically outlines the recovery process for Love Addicts, and Mellody’s fresh perspective and clear methods work to comfort and motivate all those looking to establish and maintain... more
Recommended by Dana Dearmond, Dave Elitch, and 2 others.

Dana Dearmond@KarlaKush420 I always recommend the book Facing Love Addiction by Pia Melody to people. (Source)

Dave Elitch[Dave Elitch recommended this book on the podcast "The Tim Ferriss Show".] (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

13
Have you ever been in a relationship with a psychopath? Chances are, even if you did, you would never know it. Psychopaths are cunning charmers and master manipulators, to the point where you start to accept the most extreme behaviors as normal…
 
Even if it hurts you.
 
 
All around us, every single day, human beings devoid of empathy are wreaking havoc and destroying lives in the coldest, most heartless ways imaginable. In constant pursuit of money, sex, influence, or simple entertainment, psychopaths will do whatever it takes to...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

14
Learn how to heal from the destructive hold of shame and codependency by implementing eight steps that will empower the real you and lead to healthier relationships.

Shame: the torment you feel when you’re exposed, humiliated, or rejected; the feeling of not being good enough. It’s a deeply painful and universal emotion, yet is not frequently discussed.

For some, shame lurks in the unconscious, undermining self-esteem, destroying confidence, and leading to codependency. These codependent relationships--where we overlook our own needs and desires as we try to care...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

15

Codependency for Dummies

Your trusted guide to value yourself and break the patterns of codependency Codependency For Dummies, 2nd Edition is the most comprehensive book on the topic to date. Written in plain English and packed with sensitive, authoritative information, it describes the history, symptoms, causes, and relationship dynamics of codependency. The majority of the book is devoted to healing and lays out a clear plan for recovery with exercises, practical advice, and daily reminders to help you know, honor, protect, and express yourself. New to this edition are chapters on working the Twelve... more

See more recommendations for this book...

16
DETACH FROM CODEPENDENCY IN FIVE STEPS.

You can say no. You can stop people pleasing and start setting boundaries. You can ask for what you need. You can love and be loved - without sacrifice - by breaking the codependency lifestyle.

The Codependency Recovery Plan empowers you to have healthy, happy interdependent relationships. This actionable five-step program is designed to help you get in touch with yourself, assert boundaries, and communicate confidently. You'll be free to nurture true intimacy.

The five steps to break the codependency cycle include:
more

See more recommendations for this book...

17
From a leading voice on recovering from toxic relationships, a deeply insightful guide to getting back to your "old self" again--in order to truly heal and move on.

Jackson MacKenzie has helped millions of people in their struggle to understand the experience of toxic relationships. His first book, Psychopath Free, explained how to identify and survive the immediate situation. In this highly anticipated new book, he guides readers on what to do next--how to fully heal from abuse in order to find love and acceptance for the self and others.

Through his close...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

18
Within every community, toxic people can be found hiding in families, couples, companies, and places of worship. The cryptic nature of psychological abuse involves repetitious mind games played by one individual or a group of people.

Psychological abuse leaves no bruises. There are no broken bones. There are no holes in the walls. The bruises, brokenness, and holes are held tightly within the target of the abuse.
less

See more recommendations for this book...

19
People with Borderline or Narcissistic Personality Disorders have a serious mental illness that primarily affects their intimate, personal, and family relationships. Often they appear to be normally functioning at work and in public interactions, and Narcissists may even be highly effective, in the short term, in some work or social situations. However, in intimate relationships, they can be emotional, aggressive, demeaning, illogical, paranoid, accusing, and controlling in the extreme. Their ability to function normally or pleasantly can suddenly change in an instant, like flipping a switch.... more

See more recommendations for this book...

Don't have time to read the top Codependency books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
22
Lying. Cheating. Manipulating.

Will they ever change?

What will it take to get through to them?

They apologized, but will this time be different...or will they just get better at hiding what they are up to?

This book will help you get out of the fog of confusion and into the clarity you are looking for.

FOG is an acronym that stands for "Fear, Obligation, and Guilt." These three emotions are often at the core of manipulation, and are often how narcissists, sociopaths, and other types of emotional manipulators go about...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

23
Do you want to discover how to understand, recognize and effectively deal with narcissists and codependent personalities without putting aside your own needs? If yes then keep reading...

Are you an emotionally sensitive person and are tired of being emotionally susceptible to manipulative people? Is taking responsibility for the feelings and problems of others taking a toll on your mental health and overall well-being?

If you would like to learn how to set boundaries and finally say goodbye to letting manipulative people walk all over you because they...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

24

Beyond Addiction

How Science and Kindness Help People Change

The groundbreaking method that upends current treatment models and “offers collective hope to families of substance abusers” (Kirkus Reviews), helping loved ones conquer addiction and compulsion problems through positive reinforcement and kindness—from the leaders in progressive addiction treatment in the US.

Beyond Addiction goes beyond the theatrics of interventions and tough love to show family and friends how they can use kindness, positive reinforcement, and motivational and behavioral strategies to help someone change. Drawing on forty collective years of...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

25

No More Mr. Nice Guy

Originally published as an e-book that became a controversial media phenomenon, No More Mr. Nice Guy! landed its author, a certified marriage and family therapist, on The O'Reilly Factor and the Rush Limbaugh radio show. Dr. Robert Glover has dubbed the "Nice Guy Syndrome" trying too hard to please others while neglecting one's own needs, thus causing unhappiness and resentfulness. It's no wonder that unfulfilled Nice Guys lash out in frustration at their loved ones, claims Dr. Glover. He explains how they can stop seeking approval and start getting what they want in life, by... more
Recommended by Boban Dedovic, and 1 others.

Boban DedovicQuestion: What five books would you recommend to young people interested in your career path & why? Answer: Here are the main five I would recommend (in chronological order): Swim with the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive by Harvey Mackay How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey No... (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

26
Bible teacher Kelly Needham debunks our world's constricted, small view of friendship and casts a richer, more life-giving, biblical vision for friendship as God meant it to be.

As the family unit grows more unstable and the average age of marriage increases, a shift is taking place in our culture: for many people, friends now play the role of family. And just as with family relationships, our friendships often don't turn out quite as we envisioned or hoped, and we wonder, Is there a better way to do this?

In Friend-ish, Kelly Needham...
more
Recommended by Jimmy Needham, and 1 others.

Jimmy NeedhamIf you didn’t know, @kellyneedham wrote a book. On friendship. And it’s amazing. . If you're interested in being a part of the launch team, here's what that means: . 🙌 You will recevive a FREE advanced copy of… https://t.co/su5Im8WdYU (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

27

Twilight (Twilight, #1)

About three things I was absolutely positive.

First, Edward was a vampire.

Second, there was a part of him—and I didn't know how dominant that part might be—that thirsted for my blood.

And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.

Deeply seductive and extraordinarily suspenseful, Twilight is a love story with bite.
less

See more recommendations for this book...

28
Much of the attention in our self-help-absorbed world is focused on the addict--the compulsive, chemically dependent person who uses alcohol or other drugs to anesthetize the pain of day-to-day living. But what about the other victims of addiction--the spouses, families, and caretakers suffering (not so quietly) in the background, so involved in the addict's problems that they are unable to identify and solve their own?

Codependent No More and Beyond Codependency address these issues in a clear language, providing colorful examples and steps to assist readers in ameliorating their...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

29
Daily thoughts provide readers with ongoing insights into issues such as surrendering, the damaging effects of manipulation, and healthy communication.

This new volume of meditations offers clients ongoing wisdom and guidance about relationship issues. An excellent enhancement to therapy, daily thoughts provide clients with ongoing insights into issues such as surrendering, the damaging effects of manipulation, and healthy communication. More Language of Letting Go shares unsentimental, direct help for clients recovering from chemical dependency, healing from...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

30
This second revised version offers a group leader's manual updated material. The Christian Codependence Recovery Workbook: From Surviving to Significance takes you through a truth-finding journey to reveal your system of love, life and relationships. It practically addresses the manifest behaviors, emotions and needs of the codependent, while simultaneously introducing the precious truths of God's love. This workbook doesn't just diagnose the problem, but offers the healing principles of the Lord Jesus Christ in a fresh and profound way. When applied, you will have... more

See more recommendations for this book...

Don't have time to read the top Codependency books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
34
"Some really great books just keep getting better!"
For seventeen years "The Betrayal Bond" has been the primary source for therapists and patients wrestling the effects of emotional pain and harm caused by exploitation from someone they trusted.

Divorce, litigation, incest and child abuse, domestic violence, kidnapping, professional exploitation and religious abuse are all areas of trauma bonding. These are situations and relationships of incredible intensity or importance lend themselves more easily to an exploitation of trust or power.

In "The Betrayal Bond,"...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

35
Do you feel manipulated, controlled, or lied to? Are you the focus of intense, violent, and irrational rages? Do you feel you are 'walking on eggshells' to avoid the next confrontation?

If the answer is 'yes,' someone you care about may have borderline personality disorder (BPD). Stop Walking on Eggshells has already helped nearly half a million people with friends and family members suffering from BPD understand this destructive disorder, set boundaries, and help their loved ones stop relying on dangerous BPD behaviors. This fully revised edition has been updated with the very...

more

See more recommendations for this book...

36
These bestselling doctors walk you through their ten proven stages to recovery from codependency that results from external circustances. Humans are susceptible to codependency because of our sinful tendency to use defense mechanisms to fool ourselves. In codependent relationships, deceitful games are played, and important Christian principles are often taken out of context and abused. God wants us to have healthy relationships with a balance between being dependent and independent. The doctors describe how the most effective means of overcoming codependent relationships is to establish or... more

See more recommendations for this book...

37
Do you ever feel not good enough? Are you constantly trying to fix yourself? Do you want to find your way back to the person who you know you are deep down?

Suzanne Jones has helped thousands of participants with her life-changing somatic healing program and has put the knowledge into the last self-help book you will ever need. She leads you on a journey back to your authentic self by guiding you through a personal exploration of recovery, growth, and resilience. There Is Nothing to Fix is The Power of Now meets the #MeToo movement. Interspersed with case studies and stories of...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

38
Do you sometimes feel as if you exist only to satisfy others wants and needs, but never your own? Is your physical, mental and emotional health suffering as a result? Everyone loves a people-pleaser. They're always willing to help, to stay late, to fill in, to "go along." But if you're one of them, you often end up feeling violated, ignored, disrespected, and disconnected-from life and others. Silently enduring the ongoing and relentless invalidation of who you are and what you want will reliably wreak havoc on your health and the health of your relationships. So, are you ready to put less... more

See more recommendations for this book...

39

One Day at a Time

Danielle Steel celebrates families of every stripe in her compelling new novel—a tale of three very different couples who struggle and survive, love, laugh, and learn to take life…

Coco Barrington was born into a legendary Hollywood family, her last name loaded with expectations. Her mother is a mega-bestselling author who writes under the name of Florence Flowers—and her sister, Jane, is one of Hollywood’s top producers. They’re not your typical family by any means.…Jane has lived with her partner, Liz, for ten years, in a solid, loving relationship. Florence, widowed but still...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

40
Do you feel a pain and suffering that robs you the healthy and happy life that you so truly deserve?If you want to protect yourself from the affliction and sadness some behavior can bring then you have to face the problem of a codependent relationshipDo you want to know better Codependency and how to recover from its afflictions?


The nature of codependent relationships may differ, whether it's that of a child living with codependent parents, a spouse living with a codependent partner or a person spending time with a codependent friend, the pain and...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

Don't have time to read the top Codependency books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
41
“I used to drink,” writes John Bradshaw, “to solve the problems caused by drinking. The more I drank to relieve my shame-based loneliness and hurt, the more I felt ashamed.”

Shame is the motivator behind our toxic behaviors: the compulsion, co-dependency, addiction and drive to superachieve that breaks down the family and destroys personal lives. This book has helped millions identify their personal shame, understand the underlying reasons for it, address these root causes and release themselves from the shame that binds them to their past failures.

Key...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

42
Are you in a relationship or dynamic with a person that can be best described as an emotional rollercoaster, toxic, draining, crazy making, or confusing?

Have you wondered why they never seem to change--no matter how much you are willing to do for them, or how much love, understanding, rehab, religion, therapy, second (or twenty second) chances you've given them?

Do you feel as though if you tried harder that eventually you could earn their love, respect, loyalty, honesty, or be treated with dignity and respect?

If so, you are not alone and this book is a...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

43
Using a wealth of practical techniques, informative case histories and unique questionnaires, John Bradshaw demonstrates how your wounded inner child may be causing you pain. You'll learn to gradually, safely, go back to reclaim and nurture that inner child - and literally help yourself grow up again. Homecoming shows you how to:

Validate your inner child through meditations and affirmations
Give your child permission to break destructive family roles and rules
Adopt new rules allowing pleasure and honest self-expression
Deal with anger and difficult...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

44
The fear of abandonment is one of our most primal fears, and deservedly so. Its pain is often overwhelming, and can leave its mark on the rest of your life. In the midst of the hurt, it’s hard to see an end to your feelings of rejection, shame, and betrayal.
 
In this updated edition of the groundbreaking book, Susan Anderson, a therapist who has specialized in helping people with loss, heartbreak, and abandonment for more than thirty years, shares recent discoveries in neuroscience that help put your pain in perspective. It is designed to help all victims of emotional...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

45
In her pioneering Facing Codependence, Pia Mellody traced the origins of codependence back to childhood and a wide range of emotional, spiritual, intellectual, physical, and sexual abuses. Now in this innovative new workbook, she presents a step-by-step journal-keeping method for moving toward recovery from codependence. Based on such concepts as the "precious child" and the five core symptoms of codependence, along with the Twelve-Step process of recovery used by Codependents Anonymous, Breaking Free provides strategies and insights for attacking the fundamental problem in... more

See more recommendations for this book...

46
Author Beverly Conyers—one of the most respected voices in wellness and recovery—has guided hundreds of thousands of readers through the process of recognizing family roles in addiction, healing shame, building healthy relationships, releasing trauma, focusing on emotional sobriety, as well as acknowledging self-sabotaging behaviors, addictive tendencies, and substance use patterns. With her newest work, Conyers shows us how the practice of mindfulness can be a game-changing part of recovering from any- and everything.

Early in our recovery journey, we focused on healing....
more

See more recommendations for this book...

47
Dr. Whitfield provides a clear and effective introduction to the basic principles of recovery. This book is a modern classic, as fresh and useful today as it was more than a decade ago when first published. Here, frontline physician and therapist Charles Whitfield describes the process of wounding that the Child Within (True Self) experiences and shows how to differentiate the True Self from the false self. He also describes the core issues of recovery and more. Other writings on this topic have come and gone, while Healing the Child Within has remained a strong introduction to... more

See more recommendations for this book...

48
ONE OF THE 10 MOST ICONIC RELATIONSHIP BOOKS OF THE PAST TEN YEARS." -- YAHOO

Never shy and always laugh-out-loud funny, Sherry Argov's, Why Men Marry Bitches - EXPANDED NEW EDITION, shows women how to get a man's respect, and love. Its the book you will pick up each time you need to feel more confident in your relationship. With girlfriend-to-girlfriend detail, and the kind of heartfelt advice you would only get from a big sister, Argov explains why being overly nice doesn't mean a man will be more attentive. The guide shares real-life interviews with hundreds of men who answer...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

49

Adult Children

The Secrets of Dysfunctional Families

It is estimated that as many as 34 million people grew up in alcoholic homes. But what about the rest of us? What about families that had no alcoholism, but did have perfectionism, workaholism, compulsive overeating, intimacy problems, depression, problems in expressing feelings, plus all the other personality traits that can produce a family system much like an alcoholic one?

Countless millions of us struggle with these kinds of dysfunctions every day, and until very recently we struggled alone. Pulling together both theory and clinical practice, John and Linda Friel provide a...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

Don't have time to read the top Codependency books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
51

Amar o depender

“Aunque la psicología ha avanzado en el tema de las adicciones, en el tema de la adicción afectiva el vacío es innegable… Este libro está dirigido a todas aquellas personas que quieren hacer del amor una experiencia plena, alegre y saludable”. —Walter Riso


Entregarse afectivamente no implica desaparecer sino integrarse en el otro. El amor sano es una suma de dos en la que nadie pierde. Sin embargo, millones de personas en todo el mundo son víctimas de relaciones amorosas inadecuadas y no saben qué hacer al respecto, ya que el miedo a la pérdida, a la soledad o al...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

52

Breaking Free of the Co-Dependency Trap

This bestselling book, now in a revised edition, radically challenges the prevailing medical definition of co-dependency as a permanent, progressive, and incurable addiction. Rather, the authors identify it as the result of developmental traumas that interfered with the infant-parent bonding relationship during the first year of life.Drawing on decades of clinical experience, Barry and Janae Weinhold correlate the developmental causes of co-dependency with relationship problems later in life, such as establishing and maintaining boundaries, clinging and dependent behaviors, people pleasing,... more

See more recommendations for this book...

53
This is the workbook that all mental health professionals wish they had at the beginning of their careers. Containing over 100 approaches to effectively deal with trauma, this workbook pulls together a wide array of treatments into one concise resource. Equally useful in both group and individual settings, these interventions will provide hope and healing for the client, as well as expand and solidify the professional's expertise. Proven strategies from the most effective trauma modalities:

-Guided Imagery

-EMDR

-Energy Psychology

-Mindfulness
more

See more recommendations for this book...

54
How to let love into our lives, and how to express that love to the world at large--the latest from a best-selling author.

We were made to love and be loved. Loving ourselves and others is in our genetic code. It’s nothing other than the purpose of our lives—but knowing that doesn’t make it easy to do. We may find it a challenge to love ourselves. We may have a hard time letting love in from others. We’re often afraid of getting hurt. It is also sometimes scary for us to share love with those around us—and love that isn't shared leaves us feeling flat and unfulfilled.
more

See more recommendations for this book...

56
A fresh, updated, and expanded edition of the book that changed the way we think about romance and intimacy.

Many of us confuse longing and obsession with true love. Through two previous editions, Is It Love or Is It Addiction? has helped countless people find their way from the trials and confusion of addictive love to the fulfillment of whole and healthy relationships. As the author reveals, we can begin to work through relationship difficulties with compassion and lasting effect by increasing our awareness of the ways that we express love.In this expanded third edition, Brenda...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

57

Prodependence

Moving Beyond Codependency

Human beings are meant to work together, not to go it alone. We enter the world reliant on others for shelter, nutrition, and emotional support, and these core requirements to do not change as we grow older. Yet somehow, as we move into adulthood, our intrinsic need for emotional connection (i.e., love) gets discounted. This despite the fact that people who spend their lives "apart from" rather than "a part of" do not function as well as those who feel emotionally connected. Nowhere is this more apparent than when dealing with addiction. Nevertheless, loved ones of addicts, instead of being... more

See more recommendations for this book...

59
What makes a narcissist go from self-involved to terrifying? Joe Navarro, a leading FBI profiler, unlocks the secrets to the personality disorders that put us all at risk complete with new foreword in the paperback edition of this national bestseller.

“I should have known.”
“How could we have missed the warning signs?”
”I always thought there was something off about him.”

When we wake up to new tragedies in the news every day—shootings, rampages, acts of domestic terrorism—we often blame ourselves for missing the mania lurking...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

60
With the revised information and up-to-date research, Out of the Shadows is the premier work on sex addiction, written by a pioneer in its treatment.

Sex is at the core of our identities. And when it becomes a compulsion, it can unravel our lives. Out of the Shadows is the premier work on this disorder, written by a pioneer in its treatment. Revised and updated to include the latest research--and to address the exploding phenomenon of cybersex addiction--this third edition identifies the danger signs, explains the dynamics, and describes the consequences of...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

Don't have time to read the top Codependency books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
61
Healing and Recovering from Co-dependency, Addiction, Enabling, and Low Self-Esteem This story is told through the jagged peephole of the author's awareness, examining her formative wounds and influences from the perspective of a woman who has now gained experience and wisdom. As she peers over her soul's shoulder, she recalls the chaos of her once-fragile childhood mind. She shudders as she is reminded of the sting of her lonely childhood, her feelings of abandonment, and her painful memories of being bullied. Her childhood self was once so lost that she even contemplated suicide. As the... more

See more recommendations for this book...

62
Are your boundaries being violated?

Boundaries separate us from others physically and emotionally. In fact, they are essential for our mental and physical health as well as for developing healthy relationships. Yet every day, people's boundaries are violated by friends, family, or coworkers. Despite the importance of personal boundaries many people are unaware of how or when these very important lines are crossed.

Which of the following are boundary violations?
* Esther tells Betty a secret Mary told her.
* Your therapist invites you to go...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

63
Co-dependency-of which enabling is a major element-can and does exist in families where there is no chemical dependency. Angelyn Miller's own experience is a dramatic example: neither she nor her husband drank, yet her family was floundering in that same dynamic. In spite of her best efforts to fix everything (and everyone), the turmoil continued until she discovered that helping wasn't helping. Miller recounts how she learned to alter the way she responded to family crises and general neediness, forever breaking the cycle of co-dependency. Offering insights, practical techniques, and hope,... more

See more recommendations for this book...

65
This was a process level - how to - book about the inner child healing approach discovered by Robert Burney in his recovery from codependency. It is a follow up to his book Codependence: The Dance of Wounded Souls which has been described as one of the most transformational books of our times - and as taking inner child healing to a new level. This compilation of writings from his website is about healing. It contains tools, techniques, and insights into the healing process that work in a powerful, effective way to change the quality of the individuals life experience for the better. They... more

See more recommendations for this book...

68
If you feel an intense pressure to be perfect, this evidence-based workbook offers real strategies based in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help you develop a more balanced and healthy perspective.

Do you hold yourself—and perhaps others—to extremely high standards? Do you procrastinate certain tasks because you’re afraid you won’t carry them out perfectly? If you’ve answered “yes” to one or both of these questions, chances are you’re a perfectionist. And while there’s nothing wrong with hard work and high standards, perfectionism can also take over your life if you...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

69

Are You Being Gaslighted?
Check for these telltale signs:
1.
You constantly second-guess yourself.
2. You wonder, “Am I being too sensitive?” a dozen times a day.
3. You wonder frequently if you are a “good enough” girlfriend/wife/employee/friend/daughter.
4. You have trouble making simple decisions.
5. You think twice before bringing up innocent topics of conversation.
6. You frequently make excuses for your partner’s behavior to friends and family.

Your husband crosses the line in his flirtations with...

more

See more recommendations for this book...

70
This new edition of Perfect Daughters, a pivotal book in the ACoA movement, identifies what differentiates the adult daughters of alcoholics from other women.

When this groundbreaking book first appeared over ten years ago, Dr. Ackerman identified behavior patterns shared by daughters of alcoholics. Adult daughters of alcoholics—"perfect daughters" —operate from a base of harsh and limiting views of themselves and the world. Having learned that they must function perfectly in order to avoid unpleasant situations, these women often assume responsibility for the failures of others....
more

See more recommendations for this book...

Don't have time to read the top Codependency books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
71
As most drug and alcohol addicts eventually realize, good intentions alone aren't enough to break destructive habits. In Mastering the Addicted Brain, however, author Walter Ling, MD, shows that addiction can be managed once its true nature is understood. Without finger wagging or assigning blame, Ling guides addicts and their loved ones through the tortuous path to recovery, offering both encouragement and tips to avoid potential triggers for relapse, such as stress, boredom, and social pressure. Ling begins with a brief, nontechnical description of the brain chemistry of addiction... more

See more recommendations for this book...

72

Lifeskills for Adult Children

From the author of the "New York Times" bestseller Adult Children of Alcoholics, this book affirms and encourages ACoAs by developing skills for living.

Imagine how good you would feel if:

• You could stand up for yourself without losing your temper
• You could make a decision without second guessing yourself
• You didn't have that sense of worthlessness every time someone criticized you
• You could learn how to say "no" and stick with it

In Lifeskills for Adult Children, you can learn how to do these things and more. This book...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

76
"How to Handle a Narcissist" is a simple guide to help you understand, handle and live with extreme narcissists. This personalized, sympathetic approach to narcissism combines leading expert opinions with real-life stories and practical advice. Research findings will show you what works when handling real narcissists at various points on the narcissistic spectrum, rather than only those who have a personality disorder.

Most of us show some degree of self-enhancing tendencies, but as we move up the narcissistic scale towards extreme narcissism, behaviors and characteristics start...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

77

Finding Love After Heartbreak

Volume I

FINDING HAPPINESS AFTER HEARTBREAK BEGINS HERE!You may think your pain might never go away, but in this book you'll discover how to feel at peace starting today.You heal by releasing, not suppressing. Experience the life-changing effects of true release.-Are You Constantly Rehearsing Past Hurts and Disappointments?-Have You Lost Hope in Love Because of Failed Relationships?-Do You Feel Tension & Frustration When Expressing Your Feelings?-Does Bitterness, Anger, or Negativity Cloud Your Vision?Don't stay in bondage to emotional turmoil from past lovers, failed... more

See more recommendations for this book...

78

Historically there have been few options available for individuals seeking help for treatment-resistant loved ones suffering from substance abuse.

Coauthor Dr. Robert Meyers spent ten years developing a treatment program that helps Concerned Significant Others (CSOs) both improve the quality of their lives and to learn how to make treatment an attractive option for their partners who are substance abusers. Get Your Loved One Sober describes this multi-faceted program that uses supportive, non-confrontational methods to engage substance abusers into treatment. Called Community...

more

See more recommendations for this book...

Don't have time to read the top Codependency books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.