Where Codependency Takes Us: A Commentary

Playing the Second Fiddle - The Experiences, Challenges and Coping Strategies of Concerned Significant Others of Partners With a Substance Use Disorder: Informing Social Work Interventions

“…The partner's SUD may lead to an increase in arguments between the couple, mainly because of defective communication and as a result of emotional "dysregulation". Emotional dysregulation refers to over-reacting or responding in an emotionally inappropriate way to situations and holding skewed perceptions of the real issue at hand (Bryant, 2014:719;Lee, 2014:3), which may lead to arguments having the potential to end in intimate partner violence and abuse. All of this makes being in a relationship with a partner with an SUD a painful, conflict-inducing and stressful situation (Amato & Previti, 2013:161;Cox, Ketner & Blow, 2013:161-162;Dethier, Counerotte & Blairy, 2011:152;Gupta, Mattoo, Basu & Sarkar, 2014:81;Hudson, Kirby, Clements, Benishek & Nick, 2014:107;O'Farrell & Clements, 2012:123;Benishek, Kirby & Dugosh, 2011:81;Ripley, Cunion & Noble, 2006:172;Wood, Kiperman, Esch, Leroux & Truscott, 2017:36).…”

“…Family members finding themselves having to deal with a relative's substance abuse experience "high degrees of anger, feelings of fear, hurt, abandonment, guilt and hopelessness" (Giordano, Clarke & Furter, 2013); these have a more severe effect on those who are emotionally the closest to the person with an SUD, such as a partner with whom they share an intimate relationship (Klostermann & O'Farrell, 2013;Nagesh, 2015;Wilson et al, 2017). From participant narratives it became evident that SUD-related behaviours lead to a breakdown in communication and skewed perceptions of the real issue at hand (Bryant, 2014;Lee, 2014), which unintentionally contribute to increased interpersonal conflict and stress, and a decrease in psychological and social adjustment and day-to-day functioning within the relationship (Hudson et al, 2014). These situations contribute to reactions of anger and frustration (Nagesh, 2015;Perkinson, 2008;Wilson et al, 2017).…”

“A Problem Like This Is Not Owned by an Individual”

“…The current article reports on an empirical investigation into how family members respond to different constructs based on their experiences of being involved in treatment. This focus responds to calls in the literature for studies that focus on the link between constructs and practice (Copello, Velleman, & Templeton, 2005;Lee, 2014).…”

Comings and Goings at the JGI

“…Her doctoral research focuses on the effects of family involvement on treatment outcomes for problem gambling individuals. Toula's expertise in the contribution of family factors to problem gambling, and her experience in couple and family therapy for problem gambling treatment, provide welcome additions to the Editorial Board, particularly given the number of papers the Journal has been publishing of late on these topics (e.g., Borch, 2012;Cunha & Relvas, this issue;Cunha, Sotero, & Relvas, this issue;Calderwood & Rajesparam, 2014a,b;Campbell, Derevensky, Meerkamper, & Cutajar, 2011;Harkness, 2014;Lee, 2014;Orford, 2014). Our other new board member, Sylvia Hagopian, is a member of the Problem Gambling Institute of Ontario (PGIO) leadership team.…”

“…Son expertise relative à l'incidence des problèmes familiaux sur le jeu compulsif, ainsi que son expérience en matière de thérapie conjugale et familiale, représentent des atouts précieux pour notre revue, en particulier lorsqu'on songe aux nombreux articles que nous avons publiés récemment sur ces thèmes (par. ex., Borch, 2012; Relvas, dans un prochain numéro; Cunha, Sotero et Relvas, dans un prochain numéro; Calderwood et Rajesparam, 2014a,b;Campbell, Derevensky, Meerkamper, et Cutajar, 2011;Harkness, 2014;Lee, 2014;Orford, 2014). L'autre nouvelle venue au sein du comité, Sylvia Hagopian, est membre de l'équipe de direction de l'Institut ontarien du jeu problématique (IOJP), où elle s'occupe des communications et de la promotion des publications, des activités de formation et des ressources en ligne de l'IOJP et du CAMH.…”