National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level 2 (NCAC II) Practice Exam Exam

Which family role tends to overshadow the addiction issue by focusing on achievements?

1. The Mascot

2. The Scapegoat

3. The Hero

4. The Lost Child

The correct answer is: The Hero

The family role that tends to overshadow the addiction issue by focusing on achievements is known as the Hero. Individuals in this role often take on the responsibility of being the high achiever within the family, striving for recognition and success to compensate for the dysfunction related to addiction. This focus on accomplishments can serve multiple purposes; it attempts to restore a sense of normalcy and pride to the family dynamic while also diverting attention from the addiction problem itself. The Hero's achievements may be celebrated, creating an illusion of stability that masks the underlying issues, including the emotional pain and chaos caused by addiction. This role can place excessive pressure on the individual, as they feel they must maintain their high performance to keep the family unit functioning, leading to potential burnout or emotional distress. In contrast, other roles in the family such as the Scapegoat, Mascot, or Lost Child typically respond to addiction in ways that are more indicative of avoidance or expressing the chaos directly. These roles do not primarily focus on achievement, but rather reflect other aspects of coping with addiction, which is why they do not align with the described behavior of overshadowing the issue through success.