The phrase “functional alcoholic” is sometimes used to describe a person believed to be alcoholic, but without the obvious personal problems one might expect. “Functional alcoholic” is one of the most enabling phrases in the language, and unwittingly helps alcoholics get sicker. Loosely translated, the term means, “the person’s drinking doesn’t bother me, yet.” Believing someone is a “functional alcoholic” helps someone in a casual relationship feel better about avoiding the pointing out of signs and symptoms of alcoholism, a key step in helping alcoholics self-diagnose. Typically, there are other persons in the alcoholic’s life who do not consider the alcoholic as “functional.” These are usually family members.