A shocking number of Americans struggle with a form of addiction or “addiction.” According to Winters, 96% of Americans suffer from codependency. Codependency is called a national epidemic because almost any form of compulsive behavior can be classified as an addiction (1996). Knowing this staggering statistic, we must ask ourselves: How are we contributing to our codependency? Being codependent (being dependent on something or someone) can be seen in two different ways. The alcoholic or drug addict is the addict, and the person involved in any way intimately with the addicted person (spouse, lover, child, sibling, etc.) is the codependent. According to Strickland “Codependency is a ter used to describe a person who is intimately involved with a person who abuses or is dependent on alcohol or other forms of addiction.” The definition of the term needs to be expanded to include anyone who displays an extreme degree of certain personality traits including denial, silence, or even blithe tolerance of unreasonable behavior. From others, a rigid loyalty to family rules, the need to control others, the search for identity through relationships, a lack of personal boundaries and low self-esteem” (Strickland, 2001). Codependency should be viewed more as a mental health diagnosis, rather than an addiction. “The popularization of the term codependency among the general public through self-help literature has had positive and negative consequences for the practice of psychotherapy. On the one hand, the popular use of the term has been useful in raising public awareness of the complex interrelationships that emerge within American families. On the other hand, the widespread use of the term has led to an erroneous…half of the paper……ity” (Winters, 2001). The following is a brief description of each concept: Works CitedAmerican Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. DSM-IV-TR Washington DC.Gordon. (1997). Challenging codependency: Feminist critiques. Journal of Alcohol Studies. 58.n2.Hamilton, S. & Winters, P. (1996). The recovery movement helps people overcome addiction. Opposing Views: America's Victims. Ed. San Diego: Greenhaven Press. Kaminer, W. & Winters, P. (1996). The recovery movement undermines the personal responsibility of addicts. Opposing Views: America's Victims: San Diego. Greenhaven Press.Ponzetti. (2003). International Encyclopedia of Marriage and Family. Ed. vol. 1. 2nd ed. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, P 310-5.Strickland. (2001). The Encyclopedia of Gale Psychology Ed. 2nd ed. Detroit. Gail, P127-8