The Importance of Surrendering
Admitting That You Can't Control Your Intake Is Typically The First Step To Recovery
The opposite of surrendering is to resist and fight. Many people who are addicts or alcoholics resist addiction treatment. They might also fight the idea that they need to stop using alcohol or drugs.
In recovery, surrendering teaches you to see that your willpower alone will not keep you sober or save you from addiction to alcohol or drugs. Your body, like your thoughts, is different than that of people who do not suffer from addiction.
Despite this, you might try to use your willpower to ensure that you never use or drink again, but to no avail. You might think you'll be able to handle the alcohol the following time, or that it will be different the next time you use drugs. You might fool yourself into thinking that you can regulate and enjoy your consumption.
You might also tell yourself that you can drink or use like other people if you can just control your willpower. However, when it comes to booze or drugs, your willpower is likely non-existent.
If you are a heavy drinker or addict, surrender occurs when you realize you will not be able to stop using on your own. This is the first step to recovery: admitting that you can't control your intake and that your life has become unmanageable.