Family Roles in Alcoholism and Addiction


Different kinds of dysfunctional families have the same family roles as alcoholism and addiction

Just as the alcoholic family was the template studied for all dysfunctional families, it has now become easier to apply this to all types of dysfunctional families.  Families involved in different kinds of addictions and mental illness would later become the basis for study.
Mentally ill families are studied such as depression, anxiety, bi-polar and schizophrenia. Eating disorders in families are studied such as those with anorexia, bulimia and compulsive overeating.  Families where the substance didn't involve alcohol, but drugs and pill addictions are also studied.  Gambling and shopping addicted types of families are being followed with the same basic rules other families are.  The only difference is that the alcohol  "the substance" is now a "process". In other words it doesn't matter what the "substance" is, the same thing happens and it is called "a process".
This leads to the study of Process vs. Substance Addictions originally developed by Dr. Ann Wilson Schaeff.  This is where the families still followed the same "rules" within the family system as in alcoholism and addiction. These kind of families may include work addict or "busy" addict families or religious addict families. They may look different on the outside. Inside, however, the same types of processes happen.

Please see this video on my website which discusses the roles by Dr. Claudia Black

Unspoken rules blocks the ability to process feelings. This interrupts healthy family roles in alcoholism and addiction.

There are 3 basic unwritten rules are common in all the family systems.  These rigid rules are "Don't talk, don't feel, don't trust".  These "rules" exist so no one needs to deal with  painful feelings therefore, these painful feelings, once blocked, stops the ability to process the feelings.

Processing, feeling and understanding leads to healing and health and thus this is the most important thing in attempting to heal. The recovery involves identifying feelings, changing the thinking behind it and processing the "spirit" self. This is the goal of any kind of treatment.

Treatment can be formally through therapy or in the 12 step program.These 12 step programs include  AA, Alanon, Narcotics Anonymous, ACA and Coda. If understood, the family roles in alcoholism and addiction can be changed to include health.

Family roles in alcoholism and addiction are applied to work situations if dysfunctional..Dr. Ann Wilson-Schaeff

Dr. Ann Wilson Schaeff started studying organizational psychology.  She finds that corporate organizations function at the same level as the family.  In her work she finds that the top of the organizations, (the leaders) begin to set the tone for the entire organization.  If there is a work addiction present at the top of this corporate ladder an interesting thing happens.

To her amazement, the rest of the company will follow the same leadership style. Thus the work addiction becomes part of the "corporate culture."

Application are easily applied to school settings.

Especially in schools, the roles can be applied to the students. If someone becomes a supervisor in a work setting, their supervisees will also take on the same types of roles.  It becomes dysfunctional if not aware of how to apply certain behaviors discussed in this video.

Teachers can look upon their students in a class room and easily can pick out who are the "heroes", "scapegoats", "lost children" or "mascots", therefore, if they are aware of these roles so they can better understand how to address each individual students needs.   They can see how these family roles of alcoholism and addiction are replicated right in her/his classroom.

Looking at these "systems" as an organism, they can easily see the dysfunctional rules at work It will help as any teacher or supervisor be aware. This video also gives freely advice on how to become functional and healthy in these settings.

Suggestions are given on how to become free and independent from these dysfunctional systems

The suggestions in this video give clear recommendations based on the "systems" theory.  Showing how not to become a part of dysfunctional "corporate culture" is the main goal

Just like ducklings are imprinted upon the mother duck, leaders are influencing their followers in a similar manner.  As a healthy and independent person, we each have a duty to our organization, each other and ourselves to make sure to identify what is happening.

First awareness, then choice and then action thus becomes the 3 watch words for healthy change.  Families  change slowly and thus, corporate culture must change slowly.  Change always start with the individual.

The basis of Alanon is this basic philosophy.   We cannot force change with others however, we can start with ourselves.  When we change ourselves, everything can change.  This is the hope and reality of this philosophy, therefore, family roles in alcoholism and addiction can be changed to allow healing.

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