I choose not to say "I'm an alcoholic" to other people, because people seem to use that to describe a whole personality. If you want to call me an alcoholic, you can call me the other 50 things I am as well. Family man, dedicated worker, charity supporter, music lover, .. the list goes on.
I'm not perfect, but I believe I positively support my family, friends and community a lot more than people who might look down on me if they knew I'm having trouble stopping the one vice I know I have.
"Alcoholic" describes a habit, not a person. And we are a varied bunch. I suspect most of the people on this site, trying to improve themselves for the sake of themselves and others, are good people, facing a difficult problem. Until the world understand that we are not "bad people", I'll stay behind my avatar of a James Bond villain caressing a plastic duck, thank you very much!