The addict is the focal point of the family. Whether intentionally or not, family members begin to spend more time and energy coping with the addict – helping, enabling, or covering up their behavior to preserve the status quo. As the addict continues their behavior, family members may take on more roles without realizing it.

The Caretaker: Also known as the enabler, the caretaker often covers and makes excuses for the addict’s problems and responsibilities to keep everyone else happy. The caretaker is also known as the “martyr of the family” because they support the addict, shield the addict from the consequences of their actions, and often sacrifice their wants and needs to care for the addict.

Similar to the caretaker, the hero of the family devotes their time and attention to covering up the addict’s mistakes to maintain the family’s “normal” appearance. The hero is typically portrayed as over-responsible, self-sufficient, or even a perfectionist.

This is the problem child – the opposite of the hero. Through acts of defiance or hostility toward other family members, the scapegoat provokes negative attention that ends up distracting from the addict’s behavior.

Known as the comedian of the group, the mascot often tries to reduce the stress caused by the addict with humor or silliness. He or she feels powerful over what’s happening and aims to prevent any unpleasantness or stress within the family with antics and comedy. However, mascots often put pressure on themselves to ease the tension of the addict’s behavior, which can lead to mental health struggles like anxiety and depression.

The Lost Child: The lost child is the quiet family member who flies under the radar while other members play their own roles in dealing with the addict. The lost child stays out of the way and eventually avoids all interactions and disappears from the spotlight.

These roles perpetuate a dysfunctional family dynamic, which can ultimately damage various relationships within a family, not just those directly linked to the addict. Think hard about your family and whether you and your loved ones have adopted these roles. If so, our support groups for families of addicts can help you heal.