Good thread. Thanks for it
You know, for me, I don't try to parse all the words (I've never been very good at it). I just know I cannot drink safely. If I have a drink, all bets are off. I may stop at one or two, or I may end up in the emergency room.
AA helped me get sober. The fact that I cannot control people, only my reactions to them, helped me stay somewhat sane in the early years. I forget it too easily now, but always come back to that concept.
If all that makes me powerless or powerful, I don't care. I only know it worked for me, and is still working for me.