Co-dependency is a condition that affects someone’s ability to have a healthy relationship, and is often associated with relationships where there are substance abuse. In a co-dependent relationship, the co-dependent person enables unhealthy behaviors such as alcoholism in a loved one while sacrificing his or her own needs. The co-dependent may deny a partner’s problem just as the alcoholic himself would, and may even take the blame for problems caused by the alcoholic’s behavior in an effort to keep them from suffering consequences.