I don't see it so much as a label; I see it as truth. I know I'm an alcoholic because when the liquor talks, I listen (except for the past 22 days, take that, liquor). I'm fine with being called an alcoholic and I still consider myself a pretty good person, at least I try to be. I'm not into the AA stuff, I've taken more of a holistic/spiritual approach, but I do take bits and pieces of any recovery method out there and use what works for me. The end goal is the same, to not drink today.