CONTENTS

About This Course

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to the Issues
2. Understanding Alcohol Abuse
3. Understanding Violence Against Women
4. Alcohol and Domestic Violence
5. Alcohol, Sexual Assault, and Rape
6. Prevention and Early Intervention
7. Screening and Assessment
8. Diagnosis and Treatment
9. Legal and Ethical Issues

Supplements
Fact Sheets
Videos
Resources

Silence Hurts
Alcohol Abuse and Violence Against Women

Roles in Families Where Alcohol is a Problem

Family roles serve to protect the family system from recognizing and acting on the addiction. Family members play roles that balance addictive behaviors to keep the family going. These roles can sidetrack outsiders from the disease:¹⁹

• Chief Enabler. This person allows the family to continue to function and gives the appearance that everything is o.k. A spouse, parent, or older child generally fills the enabler role. This person takes on the responsibilities, duties, and obligations of the family.
• Family Hero. This is the overachiever in the family or the super-responsible child. This older child is determined to prove to the world that everything is normal at home. Family heroes need help balancing work and play. They need to be encouraged to experience age-appropriate activities and not take on too much responsibility.
• Scapegoat. This person becomes the family's target for the problem. Attention is diverted from the family by the child who is getting into trouble. Scapegoats internalize family frustrations and feel lonely, hurt, afraid, and angry. They need to be rewarded for good behavior and given clear, consistent rules.
• Lost Child. The lost child often remains in the background and is quiet and undemanding. Middle children often fill this role. They are often overlooked by the adults, although they need a sense of belonging. They also need to be required to participate in social interactions.
• Mascot. The mascot takes the spotlight off the family's problem and put it on him/herself. The role is to take some of the burden off the family and inject humor and fun. The mascot is the class clown. The mascot needs help in defining appropriate reactions and emotions.