We Romanians have a saying that has ruined more lives than we would like to admit: “dirty laundry is washed in the family.” For families dealing with the addiction of a loved one, this “laundry washing” becomes a daily ritual of concealment, cosmeticization of reality, and isolation. Shame is not just an uncomfortable feeling; in the context of addictions, it becomes the wall that blocks the only path to salvation: specialized help.

7 signs you need help – even if you’re trying to cope on your own

Codependency is a psychological phenomenon that involves a pattern of behavior in which a person defines their personal worth and happiness through excessive care for someone else, often to the detriment of their own needs and desires.