Hello @johnmitchel, I read and enjoyed your post till the end and I'd like to take on your last answer (to question 4).
From my point of view, excessive drinking is considered as abuse. It qualifies to call someone an alcoholic if that person abuses the consumption of a drug like alcohol. This is because no one is a superhuman, in as much as thes persons say they are in control despite excess consumption, a problem will arise. They could even be addicted in a way, and not even bring themselves to accepting.