At some point, most of us have been blamed for something, have taken on more responsibility than we can handle or cracked a joke to avoid an awkward moment. For families where there’s addiction, these experiences are often heightened and can ignite intense feelings like fear, guilt and shame.

This episode dives into the complicated family dynamics at play and how siblings often find themselves in unexpected roles, like the “hero”, “golden child”, the “scapegoat” or others. John Varsam, a licensed psychotherapist specializing in treating substance use and family issues, helps unpack how these roles emerge, how they impact how family members talk to each other, and how to start breaking free. Join us as we explore what to expect as roles shift within the family, and hear personal experiences on what has and hasn’t worked for John and Dominique when navigating their siblings’ substance misuse and their family dynamics. 

This episode will help you:

• Understand what the roles in a dysfunctional family often are

  
  



• Identify the roles in your family 

  
  



• Feel empowered to make a change

  
  

FACEBOOK GROUP: Siblings For Love of Recovery

* Connect with other siblings

* Share your own story in a safe space

* Support for navigating the journey

> Join here: Siblings for Love of Recovery

CONNECT WITH FOR LOVE OF RECOVERY

* Instagram: @forloveofrecovery

* Facebook: For Love of Recovery

* TikTok: @forloveofrecovery

JOHN VARSAM

About: https://jvpsychotherapy.com/about/ 

KARPMAN’S DRAMA TRIANGLE, EXPLAINED:

https://www.bringthedonuts.com/essays/the-drama-triangle/⁠

*This essay breaks down the Drama Triangle in a super digestible way, and is designed for business coaching, but the analysis still applies*