Ep 37 Codependency and Alcoholism: How To Spot Enabling Patterns That May Be Robbing You Of Peace

Are you ever unsure if your actions are helping your alcoholic husband—or actually enabling him? Many Christian wives fall into codependent patterns without realizing it, believing they are loving, protecting, or supporting their spouse. But what feels like care can quietly fuel addiction and rob you of peace.

In this episode of Wife on the Rocks, we’ll explore what codependency really is, how to recognize enabling behaviors, and compare the dictionary definition with my personal definition. Together, we’ll look at the common patterns wives fall into, why they don’t work, and what I am in charge of compared to what I am not. 

You’ll hear:

• The difference between helping and enabling in addiction.

• Common enabling behaviors like monitoring, covering, or rescuing—and why they backfire.

• The emotional toll of codependency (guilt, exhaustion, dysfunction).

• How to grieve what you hoped for in marriage while feeling guilty for not continuing the cycle.

• Simple first steps to begin breaking free from enabling patterns. Ask yourself this question. 

If you’ve ever thought, “Am I helping him or just making things worse?”, this episode will bring clarity and hope for your journey as a Christian wife walking through addiction.

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