Originally Posted by
Startingover2 
I think they mean that an A is not drinking but has not really sought any treatment for the addiction. Kind of like they are white knuckling it through, which never seems to last too long.
Maybe someone can give a better insight, but that is my impression of it.
That summed it up pretty well, and I can tell you from experience it's a miserable existence. Without an
active program of recovery, the behavior continues. My first five months in AA were spent that way, going to meetings but not doing the work, the insanity was unbearable but it brought me to my knees and my bottom.
I really liked the way Claudia phrased it!