Thanks Amanda, yes I see that there are some issues with this label and the fact that it comes from AA. I don’t doubt for one second that we are at the mercy of governments and the alcohol industry, and if you read my other pieces I have written about this and criticized their manipulative practises. However, I believe that the label for me still works, I can see the negative connotations and I get why it’s not for everyone. But I think it’s useful to explore why those negative connotations exist for you and for everyone who has an issue with the word being used. It’s not a criticism but I think that those of us who have a problem with alcohol always need to be aware and reminded of that. It can be easy to forget. This label helps me do that. If it doesn’t work for you that’s cool, but it’s worth exploring why, what difference is there is between being an alcoholic and someone with an alcohol problem.