Hi tjp613. This is a really good thread. I, too, have struggled with this same question for a long time now.
There are reasons why I think I'm an alcoholic (being unable to stop at a certain number of drinks reliably, craving drinking at times, having unbearable hangovers that are interfering with my life, etc.) And there are also reasons why I have said to myself I'm not an alcoholic (I never, and I mean never, crave drinks during the day time, never go on a "bender" that lasts several days, am able to moderate at times, etc.)
I believe this has prevented me from fully giving up alcohol, which is what I want/need to do. I've decided to cast the labels aside and just stop drinking (as Dee said). And if I'm not an alcoholic, I'm pretty darn close. That is reason enough for me at this point.
I feel so much better not drinking, don't you?