Codependent Bill of Rights

In a codependent-alcoholic relationship, individual human rights are not respected, and this is the primary devastating factor to families dealing with alcoholism. This article outlines a code of basic human rights applicable to the non-alcoholic.

You and your children have:

• THE RIGHT TO a loving and secure relationship based on healthy mutual dependence;
• THE RIGHT TO peace and harmony in your home;
• THE RIGHT TO a stable, secure, and nurturing environment conducive to personal growth and self-discovery;
• THE RIGHT TO a healthy self-concept, knowing you are worthy, valued, and loved;
• THE RIGHT TO human dignity; to be respected and treated as an individual human being, and not be put down, demoralized, and dehumanised;
• THE RIGHT TO not live a life of “always waiting for the other shoe to drop,” never knowing whether it will be a soft slipper or steel-toed work boot;
• THE RIGHT TO a life free of the fear of emotional terrorism, physical abuse, and constant arguing;
• THE RIGHT TO a life free of nightmares, day terrors, and insecurity;
• THE RIGHT TO a life free of guilt and shame, and freedom from manipulation through guilt and shame;
• THE RIGHT TO not be emotionally drained and “all used up” from the rigor's of a codependent-alcoholic relationship;
• THE RIGHT TO use any possible means (short of physical assault) to positively change your own circumstances;
• THE RIGHT TO leave a physically abusive alcoholic relationship immediately and without advance notice to the alcoholic;
• THE RIGHT TO leave any relationship that is not healthy and not actively improving;
• THE RIGHT TO not live life on a roller coaster, going from one alcoholic crisis to another;
• THE RIGHT TO go to work or school without dragging all the baggage of codependent-alcoholic dysfunction.

See also;

• 10 Secretes of Happy Relationships
• 24 Ways to get the Rest You Need
• Al-Anon May be able to help
• Alcoholic Family Roles
• Subscribe to Alcoholism, ACOA & Codependency by Email" target="_blank">Subscribe to Alcoholism, ACOA & Codependency by Email' target=_blank>Subscribe to Alcoholism, ACOA & Codependency by e-Mail

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