I am a chronic relapser. I've been trying to stop drinking, off and on, for more than 10 years.
Last summer, I hit new bottoms and finally opened my mind to AA after years of pushing the solution away.
Yet, I've relapsed a number of times since becoming an AA guy. The first time, I stopped doing the steps and going to meetings. The second time, I stopped doing the steps and going to meetings. The third time...you get the picture. Coincidence? We think not
My experience is that I have to thoroughly follow this program and do more than I see others doing. If I don't act on that awareness, I'm in trouble. That has been proven to me over and over and over again.