Co-Dependents Anonymous Meetings in San Diego, CA
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Meetings San Diego
Cocaine Anonymous (CA) Meetings in San Diego
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) San Diego Meetings
Heroin Anonymous Meetings in San Diego, CA
Co-Dependents Anonymous Meetings in San Diego, CA
According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 900,000 Americans have used heroin in the past year. More than three-fourths of heroin users have Heroin Use Disorder or an addiction to the substance.
Substance use disorders have a devastating impact on affected individuals and their loved ones. In fact, there is a strong relationship between codependency and substance abuse. Those close to people with heroin or other addictions may develop co-dependent behavioral patterns, which are detrimental to both parties.
Treating co-dependency requires psychological treatment. Codependent support groups such as Codependents Anonymous provide group therapy in an accessible format.
What are Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDA) Meetings for?
Codependents Anonymous (CoDA) are structured support meetings designed for people who exhibit patterns of codependency in their relationships. The purpose of CoDA is to help members learn new coping skills and communication strategies that break the cycle of co-dependency.
During each meeting, members talk about their journey with codependency and their recovery. CoDA meetings are a safe, confidential space to talk about experiences with people going through similar situations.
How Long Do CoDA Meetings Last?
CoDA meeting times vary by location. However, most meetings last between 60 and 90 minutes.
What Are The Most Common Characteristics of a Co-Dependent Person?
Co-dependency can affect people of any gender and socioeconomic background. People with co-dependent behavior patterns often exhibit the following traits:
- Emotional dysregulation, especially with negative emotions such as anger
- Fear of abandonment
- Blurred boundaries, may take responsibility for the actions and feelings of others
- Strong psychosocial need for control, recognition, and approval
- Indecisive
- Attracted to emotionally or physically needy people
- Difficulty leaving toxic relationships, even those that involve betrayal or domestic violence
- Low self-esteem
- Poor communication skills
- Avoid intimacy
What Are The Best Co-Dependents Anonymous Meetings in San Diego, CA?
Codependents Anonymous (CoDA) meetings are held throughout the state and are an integral part of addiction treatment in San Diego.
There are several CoDA meetings scheduled in the metro area.
San Diego County Co-Dependents Anonymous
VIRTUAL
Third Saturday each month, 10:00am to 12:00pm
All members are welcome. (NOT A SHARING MEETING)
Zoom Meeting ID 883 4535 8086 # passcode SDCoda
HYBRID
First Sunday each month, 5:30pm
Sunday Speaker’s Meeting – CA0859 (spk)
Zoom Meeting ID 861 1638 7309# passcode 932 653
Kensington Community Church
4773 Marlborough Dr., San Diego, CA 92116
Hillcrest Co-ed CoDA
Thursdays, 6:30pm
Kava Collective
1731 University Avenue Side Room / Gallery Space
San Diego, CA 92103
A New Freedom: Men’s And Male-Identifying CoDA
Fridays, 7:00pm
Kava Collective
1731 University Avenue
San Diego, CA 92103
Sunday Serenity CoDA Group
HYBRID
Sundays, 11:00am
Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84199530825
Twiggs Green Room
4590 Park Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92116
You can also search online to find other CoDA meetings in San Diego.
Frequently Asked Questions
Co-dependency begins in childhood when a young person is exposed to a dysfunctional and toxic home environment. To cope with the chaos, children develop co-dependent tendencies that can persist through adulthood.
Co-dependent people often exhibit patterns that attract abusive or dysfunctional people. As a result, they replicate the chaotic environment they experienced in childhood.
Behavior patterns common to co-dependents include:
- Manipulative behaviors, such as lying, people-pleasing, or passive-aggressive behavior
- Dismissal or denial of one’s own feelings and emotions
- Perfectionism, unreasonable expectations of themselves and others
- Enabling a loved one’s destructive behaviors, such as covering up for them or providing financial support
Co-dependency can sometimes be mistaken for loyalty or selflessness. However, the behavior is mentally harmful to both the co-dependent person and their addicted partner, as both people actively reinforce the addiction.
Co-dependent relationships often display these tell-tale signs:
- One partner takes on a caretaking role
- Relationship is one-sided
- The co-dependent partner puts themselves last
- Anxiety when separated from the partner
- Lack of boundaries, difficulty saying no or voicing an opinion
While co-dependency in itself is not a mental illness, mental health is a factor in co-dependent relationships. Firstly, many people with substance use disorders have a dual diagnosis, which is a co-occurring mental health disorder.
Substance use can trigger or aggravate mental health issues. The co-dependent person may feel obligated to provide unyielding support to their partner as they perceive their behavior to be caused by the mental illness, and “beyond their control”.
Since co-dependent patterns first emerge in childhood, treating co-dependency requires addressing the trauma. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people with co-dependent tendencies reaffirm their boundaries and learn how to engage with their loved ones in a healthier way.
Self-care and self-awareness are also essential to beating co-dependency. It is important to acknowledge the problem and take steps towards better solutions.
Attending Codependents Anonymous meetings can teach you the skills for rebuilding relationships affected by substance use and codependent behavior patterns. Codependent support groups take place online, in person, or in hybrid formats.
