As Willing as the Dying

Under the lash of alcoholism, we are driven to A.A., and there discover the fatal nature of our situation. Then, and only then, do we become open-minded to conviction and as willing as the dying can be. We stand ready to do anything which will lift the merciless obsession from us. ~ ​Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions ​(Alcoholics Anonymous)

How willing can the dying be —
and what's the definition of dying?
It can't be the philosophical one,
we're born and begin dying then
for willfulness seems a mandatory stage
in the maturity process.
Can it be dying as a doctor saying
what you're doing is going to kill you?
Maybe for some – it depends
on the persuasiveness of the doctor,
the receptiveness of the patient.
And what about when there's no question —
eminence can't be challenged —
but medical or metaphysical miracle
rewrites the script? Are you still dying
when you didn't?
How miserable do we have to be in addiction
before the message comes through?
Is it harder after we've found it,
the lifting of the merciless obsession,
and let it ebb away because finally
we aren't – weren't – dying anymore?