FUNCTIONAL ALCOHOLIC and other euphemisms

First of all, here's a reminder of what a euphemism is.

The Oxford Dictionary defines a euphemism as a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing.

Euphemisms lessen the impact of our language, and in so doing they can make difficult realities easier to bear. In some situations, we need to put things delicately - it's understandable I suppose (it's hard to say dead when we can say passed away).

Some euphemisms make things vague (adult entertainment) and acceptable (put to sleep), while others are obviously ridiculous (negative patient care outcome)  and funny (follicley challenged).

But sometimes euphemisms are used to sustain and deepen delusion. I was tempted to add 'create' delusion ... but, if you think about it, the reality being named by the euphemism usually creates the delusion, the euphemism (our use of language) collaborates with our attempt to deny the reality - and so sustains and deepens the delusion.

When we're talking about addiction euphemisms are everywhere and they reflect our attitudes toward the disease ....

imbibe

feel no pain

Some slide by unnoticed (like most euphemisms), others annoy ...

Two of my favourites in the annoying category are - functional alcoholic and substance abuse.

When I hear functioning alcoholic, I ask myself, what does it mean?  Does it mean "not quite an alcoholic", not a "full-blown alcoholic"?  Does it mean the person has a job, provides for others, holds positions of prestige, power and respectability? Does it mean that because of the above reasons the person needs to be cut some slack in our judgements? Of course it means all of these things. But ....

So-called functioning, or functional, alcoholics (read also functioning addicts) drive drunk, cause trauma, chaos and heartbreak in their relationships and families and die from the physical effects of alcohol and other drugs. They suffer all the negative consequences of the disease (aka alcoholism or addiction) because they are the face of the illness.

The fact is, there are very few so-called non-functioning alcoholics. Alcoholism (aka addiction, aka chemical dependency and so on) is an illness,  and whether or not a person  functions as he or she (and their family) succumbs to it is beside the point.

Functional alcoholic is a tragic, idiotic term that sustains and deepens delusion - which sustains and deepens the disease itself.

By the way, does the child who stiffens in fear when he or she hears the car door slam outside - signalling the arrival of a drunk and/or raging mom (or dad) - know that dad (or mom) is 'functional'? Would it make the child's road to his or her loss of self easier to bear? 

I'll save my thoughts on the ubiquitous euphemism substance abuse for next time.