Is there a difference between being an alcoholic vs an alcoholic of the hopeless variety?

Full-Blown Alcoholics In the book "Alcoholics Anonymous: The Big Book" alcoholism is referred to several times as "a hopeless condition of mind and body."

This is not referring to someone who simply has a drinking problem, or on occasion drinks too much, or someone who has developed a mild alcohol use disorder.

It refers to people who are full-blown alcoholics, described by Dr. William D. Silkworth in the Big Book:

"All these, and many others, have one symptom in common: they cannot start drinking without developing the phenomenon of craving. This phenomenon, as we have suggested, may be the manifestation of an allergy which differentiates these people, and sets them apart as a distinct entity. It has never been, by any treatment with which we are familiar, permanently eradicated. The only relief we have to suggest is entire abstinence."

I wish there was more distinction on how they are classified. Is a non hopeless alcoholic just a heavy drinker? Is it someone who will become a hopeless alcoholic? If the alcoholic quits drinking before they become hopeless do they "need" AA?

So many questions.