What are the Family Roles in Addiction?

If someone in your family has been struggling with addiction, it is important to acknowledge how you have been affected by their behaviors. When you understand the family roles in addiction, you will be better able to help yourself, your loved one, and your entire family. 

What Do Family Roles in Addiction Mean?

Substance use disorders (addictions) are often described as family diseases. There are two primary reasons why this description is appropriate:

• Addition often runs in families. It is not uncommon for several generations to have problems with alcohol or other drugs.
• When one person develops an addiction, their entire family can be impacted. 

In this post, we’re going to focus on the second of these two bullet points. As we explore this topic, we’ll use the term “family roles in addiction” to discuss the specific ways that relatives are often affected when their loved one becomes dependent upon alcohol or another substance.

Please note that our discussion of the family roles in addiction isn’t meant to assign blame or imply that family members are somehow responsible for their loved one’s struggles. We are simply acknowledging the unfortunate truth that the impact of addiction can extend far beyond the individual who develops the disorder. 

We are also addressing this topic to underscore the importance of comprehensive substance abuse treatment (including family support) to promote lifelong recovery and help people break free from their family roles in addiction.

What are the Family Roles in Addiction?

You won’t find the family roles in addiction listed in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). So there isn’t a standard list that all experts agree upon. Some sources claim that there are five common family roles in addiction, while others describe six, seven, eight, or even more.

Common Family Roles in Addiction

• The Addict: This role is also sometimes called The Dependent. Regardless of which term is used, it refers to the individual who has developed a substance use disorder. As this person’s struggles intensify, others in the family may unconsciously adapt their behaviors and take on one of the following family roles in addiction. 
• The Caretaker: This person is also sometimes referred to as The Enabler. As this alternative term suggests, The Caretaker/Enabler allows The Addict to continue their destructive behaviors. Though they may have the best of intentions, the steps that The Caretaker takes (such as covering up for The Addict, making excuses to others on their behalf, lending them money, and even bailing them out of jail) create a dysfunctional environment in which The Addict is spared from many of the consequences of their actions.
• The Scapegoat: Family members quickly learn that attempting to hold The Addict accountable for their actions and decisions may be met with denial, anger, or even and hostility. As a result, they may begin to direct their frustrations toward someone who is less likely to fight back. This person becomes The Scapegoat.
• The Mascot: This individual attempts to use humor to defuse stressful situations and prevent people from paying too much attention to The Addict. The Mascot may also adopt this approach as a way of avoiding their own fears, insecurities, or inner pain. Sadly, The Mascot may come to believe that their only value is found in their inability to entertain others.
• The Hero: To counteract any negative attention that The Addict may bring upon the family, The Hero tries to be a source of pride and positivity by becoming an overachiever. The Hero may bring home straight As, play leadership roles in extracurricular activities, and otherwise position themselves to be the “perfect child.” It is hardly a surprise to learn that this family role in addiction can be source of great stress.
• The Lost Child: While The Mascot is performing, The Hero is overachieving, and The Scapegoat is bearing the burden of responsibility for The Addict’s destructiveness, The Lost Child may simply disappear into a world of their own making. The Lost Child may be an avid reader or a fantasy enthusiast. They are unlikely to cause problems or call attention to themselves – but what can look like self-sufficiency may actually be disaffection and isolation. 

How Can Families Help an Addicted Loved One?

Family support can be a vital component of a successful addiction recovery effort. But – given the considerable dysfunction that we described in the previous section – family members may need considerable assistance themselves before they are able to offer meaningful help to their addicted loved one.

Here are a few ways that family members can escape their roles, adopt healthier outlooks on life, and support their loved one:

• Educate themselves about the disease of addiction and its impact on families
• Participate in family therapy or family support services at their loved one’s treatment center
• Seek professional help for themselves
• Take an honest look at how their maladaptive behaviors have contributed to their family’s dysfunction
• Develop better stress management, problem solving, and coping skills
• Learn to establish and maintain proper boundaries
• Understand that they are not responsible for their loved one’s decisions and actions
• Incorporate mindfulness, meditation, and other forms of self-care into their daily lives

Contact Los Angeles Detox About Addiction Treatment

If someone in your family has been struggling with an addiction to alcohol or another drug, Los Angeles Detox is here to help. Our addiction treatment center in Los Angeles, California, is a supportive place where adults can receive personalized care from a team of skilled professionals. We understand the many ways that addiction can affect families, and we are committed to providing the comprehensive solutions that will support improved health and long-term progress.

To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact page or call us today.