In Wisconsin, people almost never use the word "alcoholic". It's is essentially only rolled out after the person dies of alcoholism, or at least becomes homeless. Otherwise it's just a person who likes to drink.

They'll literally just be like "Yeah that guy pretty much drives drunk every day" or "oh yeah my son has to have a beer when he wakes up or he feels sick" like DUDE they're spiraling alcoholics! What the fuck!!