It doesn't bother me to use the term alcoholic in places like SR but in the larger population I simply say I quit drinking. I abused alcohol, that was an action. And yes, I do believe that at some point I irreparably changed my physiology. I quit drinking, that is an action too.
I think alcoholic sounds ominous to the general population because it sounds like an overlay as to who you are as a person. And I am not ashamed, to the contrary I am fairly vocal about the fact that I no longer drink and that my life is better. I feel like addressing it head on like any other behavior that I have changed removed the shame that some might attach.
I used to abuse substances, I no longer abuse substances. I have rarely heard people quantified as foodaholics, or pornoholics, or gambleholics. Rather they are typically identified as someone who has behavioral issues with a particular strata.
I have found that being open and easy about the fact that I quit has allowed me to help a few close friends who were struggling secretly. I sometimes get frustrated that the idea of anonymity has been absorbed by the larger population as an element of something dark and shameful. I think shame and stigma continues to keep people from seeking help.
I was a fairly visible member of my community. I figure if I can make seeking help a logical and prudent choice that came about as the result of a problem, then perhaps someone else might realize that they too are capable. The fact that I have been able to help two people in the last month I hope was a result of me just being straightforward about an action that I took that improved my life.