Family Program

Family Roles in Addiction

The family dynamics of addiction will have a significant impact on how the unit as a whole handles the disease. The entire family structure may be severely impacted when one family member battles addiction. Families living with addiction tend to take on several common roles, each of which contributes to the overall health of the family.

• The Enabler/Caretaker: This person often covers up the addict’s problems and makes excuses for their behavior to keep the rest of the family happy.
• The Scapegoat: This person is also referred to as the “problem child.” This individual provokes negative attention through acts of defiance or hostility toward other members to distract from the addict’s behavior.
• The Hero: Similar to the caretaker, the hero devotes their time to covering up the addict’s mistakes to maintain the appearance of normalcy. The hero will do whatever they can to restore the dysfunctional family unit behind closed doors. This individual is typically portrayed as over-responsible, self-sufficient, and a perfectionist.
• The Mascot: The mascot is known as the comedian of the group. They try to lessen the stress caused by the addict with humor or silliness. Otherwise, they feel powerless about the individual’s addiction and aim to prevent any family unpleasantness through their antics.
• The Lost Child: This is usually the quiet member of the family who flies under the radar while everyone else plays their roles. The lost child stays out of the way and eventually avoids interacting with the family entirely.

What Is the Goal of Family Therapy?

Common goals of family therapy include enhancing communication, resolving conflicts within the family, recognizing and managing unique family circumstances, and fostering a more functional home. Furthermore, it also entails:

• Investigating the family’s dynamics and its relationship to psychopathology
• Utilizing the family’s practical resources and inner strength
• Reorganizing the unhealthy interactional family structures (including through better communication)
• Enhancing the family’s ability to solve problems.

It is important to the addiction recovery process that everyone involved in the addict’s life is dedicated and supportive of each other.

Importance of Help for Families of Addicts

At our inpatient drug rehab, we recognize that family drug and alcohol counseling is essential to help both addicts and their loved ones heal. Family members often harbor feelings of guilt, shame, anger, and mistrust resulting from their loved one’s addiction, which can lead to poor mental health and strained relationships. If left unaddressed, these emotions can intensify and contribute to further rifts within the family unit.

Unresolved conflict and tension between addicts and their loved ones can create a toxic home environment and lead to unhealthy or broken relationships, increasing the risk of relapse. Support for families of addicts is crucial for moving forward together. A strong support system is one of the biggest factors in achieving long-term sobriety. When individuals in recovery lack the love and support from their families, it can be heartbreaking and discouraging, hindering their progress. Our family therapy for addiction educates loved ones about addiction and provides them with the tools to support their loved one's journey to recovery, helping to rebuild and strengthen family bonds.