To say that someone is powerless is too extreme. I know I become powerless after the first drink but before that, I have a choice. Granted without knowledge of how alcoholism works, and having a tendency to follow my impulses too much, it has been as bad as if I had no choice sometimes. I don't like the word powerless, though, because it can be used as an excuse to drink (I can't help it. I'm an alcoholic..)