It's been my experience that people who ask about the distinction between an alcoholic and those who are alcohol dependent often have, as a motivation for doing so, thoughts of drinking again. I'm not saying that you do, but if you are considering it, that would be a very bad idea.
I assume you are currently being treated for depression and that you were previously self medicating the depression with alcohol. Whatever the case, this is a time to get the factors that contributed to the suicide attempt under control. Any alcohol use now will just complicate things enormously.
All the best to you going forward.