WHAT THE HECK IS A PROBLEM DRINKER?

I recently read an article that began with this question: Are you an alcoholic— or just a problem drinker? ......

A poser, for sure. 

But I have to say, I don't understand the difference.

When I stop and think about it, all I can do is ask question after question ... 

Does "just' mean the problems created by the drinker aren't very serious?  Like, 'do you have stomach cancer or just indigestion'? Even if it's just indigestion don't you have to do something about the behaviour that caused it if you want it to go away?

Or, even better, are the problems not even connected to the drinking? 

"Doc, every time I eat mushrooms I get indigestion."
"Well ... don't do that any more."
"But I like mushrooms."

"When I drink and drive I get charged with impaired driving - it's happened 3 times already. Maybe I shouldn't drive when I drink ... or, should I stop drinking? Nah, I just won't drive when I drink."

Does "just" mean there's hope for you, and if you're an alcoholic there isn't? ("I can drink a lot and still make a rational decision about whether I should drive home ...")

When is an alcoholic not a problem drinker?

Does being an alcoholic not cause problems - for the drinker and everyone else in their life?

Isn't problematic behaviour and the problems in one's life that follow from that behaviour integral to being an alcoholic?

Doesn't the problem drinker have to do something about his or her drinking if it's causing problems for them? 

Doesn't an alcoholic have to do so too - if he or she wants to sort out their life - to go on living? (People die of alcoholism. Do they die of problem drinking? .... Wait a minute, maybe I've got it wrong: Maybe they don't die of alcoholism - but if not, what's killing all these problematic drinkers?) 

Who makes the diagnosis. The drinker? An expert in the field? 

If an expert says you're just a problem drinker do your family, your friends and your employer (and employees for that matter) have to accept all the problems caused by your drinking? 

"Sorry, but we're not going to be able to eliminate the problems your husband's drinking is causing - because he's not an alcoholic. But we're all going to work really hard to reduce the harm. I have to let you know that I'll defend his right to have a few drinks on a Saturday night. 
Yes, there will continue to be problems and his drinking will cause harm, but if he works on controlling it, there will be less harm."

I hope you understand irony.

But this exercise and all the questions are making my head spin.  I can't think straight ... I'll pick this up next time.