Bassman, I sobered up visiting AA and am still part of the fellowship. They refer to what you mentioned as "peculiar mental twist" that goes through prior to taking that first drink. Some of us succumb to that thought and act on it. Thats the insanity. Our mind is only focused on the effect produced by alcohol, doesn't think past that. The consequences doesn't crowd the mind when we act on it. Thats true powerlessness.