Originally Posted by
Morning Glory 
I do think a newcomer needs time to absorb information before being "ticked off".
I don't believe anyone ever intended to tick me off. My reaction to the stark truth was to be offended. Same with my therapist--she was only pointing out that my thinking was skewed as a result of living with alcoholics all my life. She wasn't being "mean," I just took it that way.
Instead of "absorbing information" I resisted it and got my hackles up.
L
*edit to add*
I do think the relationship with the alcoholic makes a difference in how we perceive things, too. I speak only from the point of view of a spouse. And I hope and pray never to have the experience from the point of view of a parent.