Progress not perfection is the process by which most of us get sober, and learn how to stay sober. We all stumble, this seems to be part of the process for most of us. We are not perfect, nor will getting sober and staying sober in any way be perfect. Setbacks are inherent; wanting to do this perfectly is being intolerant to this fact, which doesn't help us at all. It's by holding ourselves to this high standard of perfection that we will be drawn back into the disillusionment of the illness. As long as we keep trying to learn when we have setbacks, that's all that is being required of us. It's by accepting this fact, that there will be set backs, and from being willing to learn from them. This is the process that has worked. As long as we hold ourselves to that process we can never fail.