Who cares to admit complete defeat? Practically no one, of course. Every natural instinct cries out against the idea of personal powerlessness. It is truly awful to admit that, glass in hand, we have warped our minds into such an obsession for destructive drinking that only an act of providence can remove it from us.
Complete defeat
This means we're at war, and the war is over, although, of course, it's possible to continue attempting to fight even though it is to no avail.
Natural instinct
If natural instinct cries out against the idea of personal powerlessness, and the admission of personal powerlessness is the prerequisite for progress, then the natural instincts are malfunctioning; the natural instincts are to be disregarded. What is required is an unnatural approach to the situation. Combined with the practically no one, we are being enjoined to react differently to this proposal in Step One differently than almost everyone else would. We are asked to go resolutely against the grain.
Truly awful
Not only is this very awful; the awfulness is true. Step One is not supposed to be pleasant and jolly.
We have warped our minds
From within the mind that is warped, once jot of sense is still required: the jot that correctly identifies the warping of the mind is the last jot of sanity that must be clung onto. Furthermore, it is we who have warped our minds. No one else has done it for us. Nothing is to be trusted except this admission of defeat. The rest of the programme will be about the unwarping of the mind.
Obsession for destructive drinking
The thought that won't let go, namely the desire to drink, is a thought that is insane, because such drinking, if it occurs, will be destructive.
Act of providence
This is Divine guidance and care and takes the form of an active intervention in a mechanism that will otherwise bring destruction.
Remove
The obsession needs to be removed, not managed.
Note that the same dynamics and mechanisms apply to any problem other than alcohol.