National Codependency Awareness Month - Let's take care of our mental health and start building good relationships!

National Codependency Awareness Month 2025 – January 2025

National Codependency Awareness Month is in January, and it revolves around helping those who may be caught up in codependent relationships. This is important because being codependent is not healthy and may have an impact on one’s mental health. Most importantly, codependency greatly affects one’s ability to stay happy in relationships. As a result, National Codependency Awareness Month was established to guarantee that people continue to live happy lives. Make an additional effort to support folks who are codependent this January by raising awareness. It is also critical to persuade codependent persons to meet with specialists who may be able to best guide them. Let’s stop the cycle!

History of National Codependency Awareness Month

According to Webster’s dictionary, codependency is a psychological condition or a relationship where one feels the need to be dependent on or controlled by another. However, it’s not a mental illness, but a perception of life that is based on one’s childhood. Clinical literature states codependency develops when a child is exposed to a dysfunctional family, where they are exposed to abuse and neglect by the parents. While in sociology, codependency is a concept that looks at imbalanced and unequal relationships. This is where the codependent individual tries to make up for the self-destructive tendencies of the others by suppressing their own needs. Self-sacrifice and ignoring one’s own feelings and emotions are key to such a partnership. Because the codependent person is continually looking for acceptance, any criticism sends them into a tailspin. Codependent relationships can also develop between lovers, friends, siblings, parents, coworkers, and others.Since codependents tend to put others on a high pedestal and ignore themselves, they have low self-esteem and a complex personality where their own needs come last. Such relationships can be extremely toxic, hence, they need to be identified and the codependent person must receive professional help. “Codependency is a circular relationship in which one person requires the other, who in turn needs to be needed,” explains Dr. Exelberg. Unless they are required by — and making sacrifices for — the enabler, also known as ‘the taker,’ the codependent person, sometimes known as ‘the provider,’ feels useless. When psychologists started investigating family dynamics and how they affect one’s mental health in the 1940s and 1950s, they discovered the devastating effects of codependency. 

National Codependency Awareness Month timeline

1990s
Magic Tools

Lunda Spann, a couple’s therapist, develops a codependency screening tool.

1941
Thinking It Over

German Psychoanalyst Karen Horney formulates theories regarding codependency.

1987
Making It Official

Timmen Cermak proposes codependency be listed as a personality disorder.

2013
Readers Delight

The book, “The Human Magnet Syndrome: Why We Love People Who Hurt Us,” analyzes codependency.

National Codependency Awareness Month FAQs

What is a codependent personality?

A codependent person plans their entire life around pleasing another person.

Where does codependency come from?

Codependency originates from one’s childhood and the circumstances one faced.

Do codependent marriages last?

A codependent relationship may be difficult, but can be successful if both parties work on it.

How to Observe National Codependency Awareness Month

  1. Research codependency

    Want to find out more about codependency? Conduct research on the topic to find out why people become codependent and how they can be helped.

  2. Spread awareness

    Many people in our country are unsure whether or not they are codependent. Raise awareness of the concept and contribute to the betterment of others' lives.

  3. Get therapy

    If you believe you are codependent, now is the time to face your anxieties and seek treatment from a professional who can help you make sensible decisions.

5 Facts About Codependency

  1. Codependents are sensitive

    Codependents are generally more sensitive and their feelings are hurt easily.

  2. The responsible ones

    Codependents are actually the glue of the family and are the ones who get everything done.

  3. Problems with codependency

    People with codependency usually have anxiety, depression, and P.T.S.D.

  4. Codependent Americans

    90% of Americans demonstrate codependent behavior.

  5. Codependent people

    40 million Americans, primarily women, are codependent.

Why National Codependency Awareness Month is Important

  1. It spreads information about codependency

    The month is crucial because it disseminates information about codependency. Many people are unaware that they are codependent until they are confronted with the truth.

  2. It encourages people to seek help

    During this month, the idea of seeking professional help is reiterated. This is necessary since we may be suffering without truly realizing the real cause.

  3. Awareness is created

    The month raises awareness about codependency, including its causes, what it is, the impact it can have on one's life, and how to break the cycle.

National Codependency Awareness Month dates

Year Date Day
2023 January 2 Monday
2024 January 1 Monday
2025 January 1 Wednesday
2026 January 1 Thursday
2026 January 1 Friday
National Hangover Day
Global Family Day
Polar Bear Plunge Day
Solemnity of Mary
Universal Hour of Peace
Commitment Day
Euro Day
Z Day
Ellis Island Day
Apple Gifting Day
New Year’s Dishonor List Day
Public Domain Day
World Day of Peace
Copyright Law Day
New Year's Day
National Bloody Mary Day
Triumph of the Revolution
Rose Bowl Game
International Public Domain Day
National First-Foot Day
Sudan Independence Day
Tournament of Roses Parade
Haiti Independence Day
Mummer's Parade
Ring a Bell Day
National Shepherd Day
Junkanoo
Poppy's Birthday
George Washington Carver's Birthday
Morris Chestnut's Birthday
Diet Resolution Week
Celebration of Life Week
National Silent Record Week
New Year’s Resolutions Week
National Time Consciousness Week
The World Series of Beer Pong
National Blood Donor Month
​National Glaucoma Awareness Month
National Oatmeal Month
National Train Your Dog Month
​Thyroid Awareness Month
Unchain a Dog Month
National Soup Month
National Mentoring Month
National Hobby Month
Walk Your Dog Month
Cervical Health Awareness Month
National Sunday Supper Month
National Fibre Focus Month
National Polka Music Month
International Brain Teaser Month
Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month
International Wayfinding Month
Bread Machine Baking Month
California Dried Plum Digestive Month
Celebration Of Life Month
National Mail Order Gardening Month
Financial Wellness Month
International Creativity Month
Get A Balanced Life Month
Get Organized Month
International Child Centered Divorce Month
National Codependency Awareness Month
National Eye Care Month
National Volunteer Blood Donor Month
National Skating Month
Artichoke and Asparagus Month
National Braille Literacy Month
Rising Star Month
National Poverty in America Awareness Month
Ginuary
Poverty Awareness Month
International Quality of Life Month
National Book Blitz Month
Family Fit Lifestyle Month
National Staying Healthy Month
National Clean Up Your Computer Month
Be Kind To Food Servers Month
National Meat Month
Shape Up US Month
Dry January
Manuary
National Birth Defects Prevention Month
National Stalking Awareness Month
National Radon Action Month
National CBD Month
Clap 4 Health Month
Prune Breakfast Month
Self-Love Month
Receding Gums Awareness Month
Little Things Mental Health Campaign
Apple and Apricot Month
START Child Health campaign
March of Dimes Birth Defects Prevention Month
National Be On-Purpose Month
National Adopt a Rescued Bird Month
International Change Your Stars Month
National Menudo Month
International Wealth Mentality Month
Retail Bakers Month
National Conscience Month
Tubers and Dried Fruit Month
National Black Diamond Month
National Personal Trainer Awareness Month
Children Impacted by Parent's Cancer Month
National Wheat Bread Month
Veganuary
Get Ireland Active
National Bath Safety Month
National Hot Tea Month
National Slow Cooking Month
National Thank You Month
Teen Driving Awareness Month
National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month