My own experience has been that self-knowledge is a double-edged sword. It can draw me deeper into the Problem, deeper into my fantasy that I have the power to "make" myself better on my own, and deeper into mental isolation from others.
For me, the gift of self-knowledge typically comes after recovery and often quite unexpectedly, not before it. If I held onto my self-directed and very self-absorbed need to "figure it all out", I believe it would still be "all about me and my own satisfaction" all over again.
I'm not suggesting that defining the Problem is unnecessary, just that my very life depends on my not confusing "the Problem" (or understanding it) with "the Solution".
After I admit my problem, the work is ready to begin. The Solution for me, is always Surrender, followed by a Gift from my Higher Power. Recovery requires me to discover and discard the problem, by learning new ideas and trying new behaviors, rather than improving on the old ones.
Chuck C.'s well-work motto is for me: "You can't think yourself into right living. You've got to live yourself into right thinking."