My dad was an alcoholic and I have been to a couple of ACOA thingys and read up a bit. I never really glommed onto it and I guess I don't feel like his drinking was all that earth shaking in my life. I have described him before, as not just a functioning alcoholic, but a thriving alcoholic. He ruined his health and wasn't around a lot when we were kids, but was a great provider and was loving, responsible and generous. Compared to any other Dad I knew, he was aces. It probably laid the groundwork for my accepting that alcohol and drug use were acceptable and normal, and not realizing what havoc could be wrought. Boy howdy that confusion is all cleared up.