The progressiveness of alcoholism is shared by every addition where a tolerance to the stimulus is developed as a result of frequent use. An opiate addiction is a classic example, where a daily maintenance consumption for an experienced user of 1000 mg per day would kill opiate naive people.
You said you got bored and drank, ChasingJ. For me, I needed to come to a place in my mind where I would not drink no matter how bored, angry, lonely, anxious, depressed, tired, no matter how good that idea might seem. I know that you can do that for yourself too. Can you ask what is it that you learned by drinking this time? Things we learn can be part of a stronger commitment to our sobriety. I hope it works that way for you.