Only in America.

[Syd]

Only in America do we have to label every vice a ‘disease.’ Only in America are all our hobbies suspiciously probed until we can figure out a way to classify them as an ‘affliction.’ Are Americans so reluctant to admit to any sort of personal responsibility or decision making capability that they can’t even enjoy a glass a wine with dinner without wondering if they should seek treatment? The whole goddamn concept of functioning alcoholism is bullshit. Functioning alcoholic equals NOT A FUCKING ALCOHOLIC.

[TroutMask]

From wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholic:

"Alcoholism is the consumption of or preoccupation with alcoholic beverages to the extent that this behavior interferes with the alcoholic's normal personal, family, social, or work life."

So, alcohol can interfere with one or more of your personal, family, social or work life while not affecting others. That's what I'd call a functioning alcoholic. Or maybe you're thinking of some other definition of alcoholic?

-TM