Addiction is often seen as a personal struggle, but it rarely exists in isolation. Many families affected by addiction find themselves asking, “Why is this happening to us?” The answer often lies in the generations that came before. Whether it’s addiction, mental illness, codependency, or unhealthy relationship dynamics, many of these patterns are passed down—sometimes quietly, sometimes openly—from one generation to the next.

A genogram is more than a family tree. It’s a powerful visual tool that helps individuals and families understand how past generations influence current behaviors. Rooted in Bowen Family Systems Theory, genograms are used by therapists, counselors, and social workers to map not just lineage, but patterns of relationships, emotional dynamics, trauma, addiction, and even inherited roles within the family.

Why Generational Patterns Matter

The past pulls on us in both subtle and obvious ways. We inherit more than eye color and height—we inherit stories, expectations, coping mechanisms, and emotional responses. By understanding the context of our family history, we gain the ability to make conscious choices and create new experiences for ourselves.

Families with addiction or mental illness often search for reasons behind their suffering. But even families that appear “healthy” or happy can carry forward patterns worth examining. Whether you’re struggling to understand addiction, striving to function better as a family, or simply want to live with greater awareness, genogram work can offer valuable insight.

What Is a Genogram?

A genogram is a diagrammed family tree that includes emotional, behavioral, and relational information. Unlike traditional family trees, genograms can be customized to show patterns related to:

• Addiction or substance use

• Mental and physical health conditions

• Divorce, miscarriages, or significant losses

• Patterns of abuse or neglect

• Family roles, favoritism, or communication styles

• Financial dynamics and criminal activity

• Friendships, pets, mentors, and outside influences

These patterns often repeat—sometimes in surprisingly consistent ways—until someone decides to consciously challenge and change them.

Addiction as a Generational Pattern

One of the clearest examples of this is addiction. Many people see addiction as an isolated personal issue, but a genogram can reveal that substance abuse has shown up in multiple generations. For example, you may discover that alcohol use spiked during a period of family trauma or that anxiety and addiction are paired across multiple family members. These realizations can reframe the story from one of shame to one of context, resilience, and the potential for change.

Genograms help people identify not only the roots of dysfunction but also the sources of strength in their lineage—family members who overcame hardship, those in recovery, or people who offered care and support. These strengths can become a foundation for healing.

Family Systems Are Interconnected

Families are systems—open ones. That means every member has an effect on the others. When one person changes—whether for better or worse—it causes a ripple through the entire family. This is especially true with addiction. One person’s substance use can throw off the entire family’s balance. But it’s equally true that one person’s healing can start a shift toward family wellness.

Outside influences, like culture, history, and society, also play a role. Addiction doesn’t just come from within a family—it is affected by things like the opioid epidemic, the marketing of substances, or trauma from global events such as pandemics.

The Power of Awareness

Sometimes, just mapping out three generations of your family can provide incredible clarity. You might discover:

• A pattern of favoritism toward first-born children

• Repeated divorces and relationship ruptures

• A lineage of codependency or emotional neglect

• Generational anxiety around parenting teens

• Consistent financial hardship across decades

These aren’t just coincidences—they’re patterns. And once they are seen, they can be challenged and changed.

What If You’re Adopted or Don’t Know Your Full History?

Genograms can also be used in adoptive or blended families. Even if your biological family history is limited, patterns can still be identified in your current family system. Many adoptees find meaningful insight by mapping both their adoptive and birth families when possible. Emotional and behavioral influences often come from both.

Genograms Aren’t Just About Problems

While they’re often used to understand dysfunction, genograms also highlight positive patterns—like resilience, strong marriages, spiritual legacies, family values, and traditions worth preserving. Baking your great-grandmother’s bread or recognizing your grandfather’s kindness are examples of heritage that can be intentionally passed forward.

Why Work With a Professional?

While anyone can start a genogram on their own, working with a professional—like a therapist or counselor—can help uncover deeper patterns and provide a supportive space for reflection. At Wellcome Manor Family Services, our clinicians are trained to guide individuals and families through this process, helping you make sense of the past and empowering you to make lasting, meaningful change.

Call to Action: Take the First Step Toward Healing

If addiction or generational dysfunction is impacting your life or your family, you are not alone—and you are not powerless. At Wellcome Manor Family Services, we specialize in helping women understand their stories and rewrite them with intention and hope.  Call us today at 507-546-3295.