Codependence and the Power of Detachment: How to Set Boundaries and Make Your Life Your Own

This book is the first step in my journey toward repairing my dysfunctional relationships within my family. My goal is that I learn to not react to stress within my family, and that I am proactive instead. This book may help you recognize codependence where it wasn't noticed before. It outlines various cases, identifying the flaws and source of problematic patterns.

Detachment with love, as Karen so deftly describes, is what is required to live a contented, peaceful life, regardless of our life circumstances. Codependence is overreliance on others for your own happiness. Overcoming it, or perhaps better stated, managing it, requires a personal shift in thinking, and "how this works" can best be understood through example and personal stories, such as are shared in this moving documentary (as well as through Alanon). There is no magic bullet, here, and others have travelled this path. I am grateful to Karen for her persistent efforts to share her own and others' experience, strength and hope. If you are open to learning from others, then this book will be helpful. It was to me!

After reading Jamie's review, I feel drawn to respond. Jamie, I am sending you love and best wishes in your search for help with codependency. As a long time member of Al-Anon I have found I cannot "read" my way to recovery. I tried it and none of the books were just what I needed because what I actually needed was support from others who were walking my walk. For me, Karen's newest book is a summary of what I have experienced. I could relate to every woman's story in some way or another and Karen's analysis and insights are right on target. They help crystalize each issue. The way she time and again, in the book, shows examples of LOVING detachment is a wonderful reminder for me to keep the focus on the kind of woman I have decided I want to be. I am delighted at the way Karen shares herself and her own experiences along this path of recovery. She is an author who walks the walk. Her sharing is empowering and gives me hope. This book is a brilliant beacon lighting the way for me. I give it a FIVE STAR rating! Becky A.

I have bought six of this book in the last month ( and probably will buy more!) to give to various friends. I highly recommend it for recovering people, especially those in Alanon and A.A.. The Author is obviously very knowledgeable about 12 Step recovery and gives much information describing co-dependent behaviors throughout her story-telling format. I particularly enjoyed her interpretations and application of the Twelve Steps in chapters 18 through 21. Dtteachment with love along with setting boundaries seems to work and ms. Casey's clear and personal stories should be beneficial to anyone in recovery. Peggy K.

I highly recommend this book for anyone trying to recover or is in the process of recovering from codependency. After having read many of Karen Casey's books and attended many of her workshops: I have found her to be very knowledgable in this area. I recently read this book and am reading it again because there is so much information to absorb. Karen uses other's stories to emphasize what so many of us are going through or have gone through to reclaim our life. It makes it more personal to read about a particular person's situation, how they dealt with it and how their life has changed.