IMHO....
Inside, we're all the same (as alcoholics). What has hasn't happened are some of the more tangible consequences. And it can be tough for folks on the outside to see the intangible consequences.
Just because someone isn't experiencing arrests, job loss, serious health problems, etc. doesn't mean they are any better or worse off than anyone else.
If he's like me, there has definitely been a progession with respect to his emotional health and spiritual health. For me, these things were not so apparent to my spouse or anyone else in my life. They really weren't even that visible to me.
It was only after I sobered up and looked back when I realized what had been happening to me.
As far as I'm concerned, there's no such thing as a "functional" alcoholic. The malfunction occurs on so many deep levels. Those other things that most people tend to identify with the problem alcoholic are just superficial issues.