No offense was taken - I think the reason that term is derogatory to me is that I have heard it used so many times in society in general referring to alcoholics. "he or she is such an alkie". It was meant when I heard it as a nasty insult often utterred by people who have no idea about addiction or the suffering of the families of As. I have not heard the term codie used ever outside of recovery folks.
This is my experience and opinion only. There are plenty of words out there I don't care much for - just me.