I always found this a little odd, even though I understand the reasoning behind it. I think it would be more accurate to say that they're no longer an alcoholic, but "struggle with addiction", or "have addictive tendencies", or something like that. But that's a bit of a mouthful, and in part I think people continue to call themselves alcoholics even when they've been consistently sober is that it's a strong, shorthand reminder that even one drink can send them right back to where they started.