Yep read it 100s of times. Like you i was in AA for a long while, did all the steps, sponsor etc. Lasted for a number of years but in the end wasn't enough. Having done all what had been suggested and still gone back out it took more than AA for me to get sober this time round, but that was for me. I have met a couple of people who have been sober in AA for a decade, gone back out and now have been back multiple years so it is doable. It very much depends what drinker you were as it is not a one stop shop for everyone but i would definitely advocate it for the real alcoholic as you can definitely lose everything if you are drinking 24/7 and dependent on alcohol.