Just my perspective but the words defeat and weakness do not resonate with me.
When I came to from my last bender, I had a moment of perfect clarity - I am an alcoholic & I need help NOW. This was not a passing notion but instead a deep down "knowing".
For me acceptance is the key:
I accept that I am an alcoholic.
I accept that I am powerless to quit drinking on my own.
This was the amazing & necessary start to my recovery. There is such peace that comes with this initial acceptance. No more denial, rationalizing, or "next time will be different". No more trying to gut it out on my own. Finally reaching out for help like so many others before me.
Perhaps the reason why defeat and weakness don't feel appropriate is because I no longer view alcoholism as something negative - it just is. My alcoholism is not an enemy nor does it hinder me in any way from living life to its' fullest.
I can't drink! It's no big deal anymore.