My AH told me, our families, and friends that he is an alcoholic. But when it came down to all seriousness and I was walking out the door he said to me, "I'm not that bad. I go to work, I support 6 of us, yadda, yadda, yadda." If he weren't an alcoholic he wouldn't have done XYZ or said some of the things he said. Especially to the kids. He drank to get drunk every time he drank. So while he might admit it, he may just be saying it so you agree, but he thinks otherwise.
I honestly don't know what goes on in their minds. If it's anything like mine, there is one heck of a roller coaster ride!