Q&A: Why Does Alcoholics Anonymous Say I Am in Denial?

Question by abnjim5: Why does Alcoholics Anonymous say I am in Denial?
At a recent AA meeting, I reported to its members that I was sucessful in overcoming addiction to the drug alcohol by using conceptual logic, reason, and rationale thought. I also said that I used self-discipline to control unwanted behaviour. They immediately told me that I was a “dry drunk” and in denial. Is it forbidden in AA to use ones brain to change a problematic behaviour? If the brain is used to solve problems, is the result always negative as AA suggests?

After confronting me in a cloud of cigarette smoke while stating they are “clean” from drugs (cigarettes?), they told me to read the “big book”.

What in the world is going on here?

Best answer:

Answer by petrel
Forget AA. You’ll always get a negative response from them.

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