Whatever the person you have allowed to influence you may be—an alcoholic, gambler, food addict, workaholic, sex addict, criminal, rebellious teenager, neurotic parent, another codependent, or any combination of the above—this book is for you, the codependent person.

It does not address how you can help the alcoholic or troubled person; as long as you improve, their chances of recovery also improve.

This book concerns the greatest and perhaps most neglected responsibility: the responsibility of taking care of yourself. It discusses what you can do to begin to feel better.

[Excerpt from the text on the back cover of the edition]