Rose,

That's a good point and it has never occurred to me. I don't think anyone means to degrade alcoholics. But being accused of drinking isn't the same as being accused of always drinking. It doesn't make the pwp accused of being an alcoholic. It means they are being accused of drinking or being drunk right then and there. I don't think even alcoholics like to be visible to the world when they are drinking heavily enough to stagger like we do sometimes.
But i do understand that alcoholism is an illness and a very serious one. So thanks for making me aware of people who are dealing with it in their lives in any way.