Originally Posted by
Summerpeach 
Who in their right mind would abuse themselves both physical and emotionally and hurt others in their path, if they didn't suffer from some form or mental "issue"?
People with addictions. Addiction is not just a mental process. Addiction has a biological base too.
Also, whether or not a label keeps someone in a victim role is dependent on the individual. My personal experience is that the label empowered me.
I agree with you that I do not think of co-dependency as a disease. I see it as learned behaviors and thought patterns.