[elizabeth1979]

I think its used as a shortcut here, although I cant speak for anyone elses reasons really.

I personally dont believe I have the authority to call someone else an alcoholic.

I can say that someones drinking affetcs me negatively, but I think its the drinkers job to cateogrize them as that, not mine.

On a sidenote..I never referred to my ex as an alcoholic, until he referred to himself as one. He told anyone that would listen that he was, he used that as an excuse for his miserably disgusting behavior.