codependency

n. 1. A pathological form of relationship in which two persons are mutually controlling, one by engaging in addictive behaviors and the other by sequentially attacking and supporting the addicted person, enabling him or her to maintain the addiction at the price of emotional devastation. Thus, a codependent person in a relationship with an alcoholic may lie to his/her boss and buy him/her alcohol when the alcoholic is unable to do so and at the same time demean the alcoholic either overtly or covertly. 2. The state of being mutually dependent in a relationship.