To own that we are powerless is not in human nature generally.  While individuals have to come into accepting that they are powerless over substance or certain addictive and destructive behaviours they are also powerless in their script.  This is because script can out of conscious awareness govern so much of someones life path and is often driven by feelings which turn into motivational drivers.  These psychological processes work to reinforce our frames of reference which are about how we see the world, how we see others who are in the world and our relationships, how we see situations and percieve experiences, how we see our lives and eventually these can even link to how our lives end up and even end.  That sends a shiver down my spine as people do live out their life script.  It is only last year and the memories are still fresh of watching my father at the end of his life script having succeeded in living the process through to the end of his story.  He died a sad, confused, tortured and lonely man twisted by his paranoia, estranged from those who loved him because of trust issues and love of money.  Though not addicted to substance he was to money which i regard as also a substance that has potential to infect if not used and balanced in the right way.  A life script lived out, held in place by stubborness and believing that he knew best.  Stuck in fear as his contamined beliefs and defences drove him along a path that i would not wish on anyone.  This is my belief in the power of life script.  If one does not know enough about the dynamics that work in the psychological process , how can one not be powerless.  I know certain writers such as Covey believe in conditioning and that humans have a choice thus can re-condition.  I do agree with this but it does sometimes only touch the surface for some people.  What about those who are not aware of what they need thus what to do with re-conditioning-  Or those who are driven by feelings so powerful they are out of control and dont hold the logic to stop.  Individuals with existential issues hold this dilemma which can have tragic consequences.  The story of ones birth lived out in life such as “dont exist” if one was not wanted can provide a frame to carry into adulthood where people can behave in such ways that they act out their own demise.  This is without even being aware of what is driving them and possibly making assumptions about “this is just the way i am”.  There is so much to learn about these powerful dynamics that link to emotional powerlessness.  I believe that the more people learn about their life script then the more chance they have of managing.  Afterall, how can you manage what you dont know?