I spent a load of time with old timers in the first 5 months of getting sober and i heard them refer to unmanageability too but they were referring to specific things which they were still working on like seeming inability to save money or relationships of sorts...but not to drinking, because they don't drink anymore...i think also they were making a point on progress not perfection...
Let me put it like this the ones i am referring to ARE happy, joyous and free but are aware that they are still doing work in certain areas of their lives to improve their existence...thats they way i took it anyway?!
I have met a couple of people who have been sober for 20 years and their lives are unmaneagable but they just aren't interested in the spiritual side of things and are the first to make fun of it...i'm not judging anymore, for me i need the spiritual stuff and God or else i am toast...