For many of us, unless we take action, no, it does not get easier. It gets worse. As an alcoholic when I put down booze I did not put down my problem. I put down my solution. Alcohol was how I dealt with the uncomfortability of my life. Sobriety seemed to be the problem. So putting down booze, I was left with my inability to handle life and had no alcohol to treat my condition. Until I began taking action by working the steps of AA things just got worse. Once I started taking action, the desire to drink was quickly removed and has not returned in over 4 years because I continue to treat my condition properly. Many alcoholics/ addicts do not get better just by abstaining and nothing else. Additional action is necessary.