I still think there's a political subtext here I'm not going to get into
I agree that a positive attitude is vital.
But I also believe I have no control over my drinking alcohol, or taking drugs.
I've experienced it. I've proved that to myself many times over 20 years.
It's not a negative - not when by accepting my inability to control my alcohol intake, I've regained control of all the other areas of my life...and become a much more rounded, positive and happy person.
I had to accept that proposition, take that 'defeat' of accepting I was 'beaten', to go on and win the ultimate victory.
sounds like a good swap to me
D