What is the difference between a 'heavy drinker' and a 'functioning alcoholic?' To me, if I'm an alcoholic, a true alcoholic, and I am one, when I'm drinking, I'm not functioning. My life collapses around me, relationships shatter, car wrecks, detoxes... it's called 'unmanageability.' I've heard about the 'functioning' alcoholic but how can that exist? I'm thinking maybe they are heavy drinkers, but not actual alcoholics. I'm not trying to say you're not an alcoholic I just see the words 'functioning' and 'alcoholic' on opposite poles.