The term, according to Lennard Davis in his 2008 book Obsession, "comes directly out of Alcoholics Anonymous, part of a dawning realisation that the problem was not solely the addict, but also the family and friends who constitute a network for the alcoholic."
Ukucaza kabanzi ngalesisifo, ngokusho kombhali uLennard Davis kwincwadi yakhe iObsession ayishicilele ngonyaka ka2008, siqhamuka ngqo kwinhlangano esiza abantu abasuke sebefuna uphuzo oludakayo phecelezi iAlcoholics Anonymous, ukuthi ingxenye yokuqwebuka kulenkinga yophuzo oludakanayo ukuthi bekungebona bodwa njengezidakwa abakade beholela ophuzweni olunamandla, kodwa umndeni kanye nabangani abasondelene nesidakwa."