classic gatekeeping. Its a defense mechanism, "I'm not an alcoholic, I hold down a job, there's people who pass out in a puddle of vomit. now that's an alcoholic. Me? I just drink an 18-pack of light beer per night, I always make it to work. nothing wrong with that".

whats paradoxical about it is that the "real alcoholic" is just as inclined to gatekeep as well.