I can't control my rate of alcohol intake once I start drinking.
I can't control my rate of descent once I jump off of a 6 story building.
These activities defeat me, I become defeated, I readily admit defeat.
Not trying to be argumentative at all - but there are activities in which I must admit defeat, and when I compare them to my drinking it makes it more acceptable and logical to admit defeat. It seems to lessen the shame factor?