Not sure it it would help, but as a possible suggestion to clarify the matter, R, what would you say is a comparable term for some other sin recognized by Christians -- say, that of adultery or fornication (to keep with the sexual sin area, but of course one could try the same for other areas like greed or anger or whatever). Is there a term or terms for these types of sins that would seem to have been "created" to accomplish the same sort of casuistry or circumvention that you mention? Or perhaps one of your points is that the situation for the word under consideration is fairly unique in its usage that "which automatically carry assumptions of justification – as euphemisms". You mentioned in your post "alcoholic". Is that a word that, not having the "justification" aspect, would be a contrast to the way the subject under discussion is understood? Any others, either contrasting or parallel to the situation you describe?
--Stanley
