One person's addiction affects a minimum of 10 people. This includes family, friends, employers, employees, co-workers, coaches, team mates, teachers... and the list goes on. All of the people in relationship with the addicted person are affected in some way and in some way can contribute to the loved one's cycle of addiction.
If a frog is suddenly put into a pot of boiling water, it will jump out and save itself from impending death. But, if the frog is put in lukewarm water, with the temperature rising slowly, it will not perceive any danger to itself and will be cooked to death. As a person is affected by their loved one, they can become overly involved with their loved one's world. It happens over time and, like "boiling frog syndrome," the person adjusts to being uncomfortable and keeps adjusting until they are enmeshed with their loved one, having sacrificed everything in their own life.
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