It seems very alien that there is strength in surrender.
But it's a crucial thing to realise.
It is admitting that there are some things that we can't control by mere force of will. Surrender also allows us to look for help to face the biggest obstacle that many of us will ever face in our lives.
I think nearly every addict at some point has tried to stop drinking/using by white knuckling through abstinence. As my very wise drug counselor in inpatient rehab was fond of asking "How's that working out for you?"
It takes a huge amount of strength and courage to admit that we're not the boss of everything in our lives.