To me it means I can't even have one drink. I'm an alcoholic and I can't control my drinking.
Alcohol was my being, my identity and my life for many years. Then I crossed that line and alcohol became my enemy, trying to kill me. And it almost did.
I'm powerless over it. Alcohol won. I gave up. It's been over three years since I've had a drink. And if I lose that thought of powerlessness, I'll be right back at it.