Addiction is far easier to identify, whereas a codependent person can always fall back on the claim that they're "just trying to help" or that their partner "won't be able to survive" otherwise.

Readers react to a guest essay critical of the concept of codependency and tough love.

Here is big proof that codependency is an addiction: if you’re codependent, you will choose the company of others—perhaps a bad relationship—over taking good care of yourself.

Co-dependency is a major problem in addiction treatment but rehabilitation centres are equipped to assist addicts and their co-dependent partners towards a healthier relationship.

The concurrence of sex addiction and codependency can be traced back to a person's childhood. A codependent sex addict was once a child of a pathologically narcissistic parent.

Love addiction is a desperate need to find someone to love that's fueled by the irrational fear of being alone or rejected.

The addiction of codependency, furthermore, is every bit as debilitating as addiction to a substance. It's such a humongous problem today that there's even a support group network for it.

If you want to learn how to overcome codependency so you can break the cycle of relationship and love addiction, here are 4 mindfulness meditations that can help.

Learn here about the definition of addiction, types of addiction, and what experts advise about how to help someone with an addiction.