Chemical Dependency and the Family Family Roles and Family Stages
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Family Roles People assume roles to protect the family. These are not healthy for anyone. These roles help them to cope and survive. Many times outside help is needed to break these roles.
makes excuses for the user Behaviors makes excuses for the user may lie to protect chemically dependent person takes responsibility for the person blames others for the problems
Behaviors: high achiever/perfectionist very busy and active seeks approval keeps things running smoothly keeps the family together
Behaviors: tests limits breaks rules gets in trouble gets blamed for the family problems takes attention away from real problem usually has most realistic picture of the family wants to spend all their time away
Behaviors seeks attention through humor and acting out uses humor to keep people at a distance hides the problem seldom serious
Behaviors quiet – shy daydreamer spends time alone may have a make believe world avoids conflict doesn’t talk about problems
Family Stages When a family member becomes a victim of alcoholism or another drug addiction, the rest of the family tends to react in predictable ways.
Stage 1: DENIAL Members deny any problem Hide the problem Want to protect reputation Family makes excuses for the drug abuse They try to create the “perfect family” illusion
Stage 2: HOME TREATMENT Family tries to control the drug use Eliminates the supply Socially isolated Blames themselves
Stage 3: CHAOS AND DISORGANIZATION A crisis occurs as a result of the drug Disease can no longer be denied or hidden Family feels helpless Children become confused Family violence may occur
Stage 4: REORGANIZTION Family tries to reorganize Dependent person is ignored or treated like a child Other members may feel guilt, fear, anger, resentment