Codependency has no single cause. Rather, codependency is a result of many different causes in a person’s life. It is not unheard of for people to rely on others – codependency on other people – as well as drugs. Being codependent means that a person cannot see a future without the existence of certain people or drugs in their lives. The key to curing codependence is that it will not happen overnight. Patients need to see counselors and be treated. Therapists will work on discovering the root causes of the codependent state and work on increasing the self-worth of the person. Furthermore, a sense of independence must be instilled in therapy, teaching that relying on others is not the only way to survive. Codependent relationships do not tend to last long, but exhibit symptoms such as control issues, avoidance of feelings and potential intimacy problems.