Struggling with user retention for my habit-breaking app ( Any Advice ? )

I’ve been working on IOS App, an app designed to help people break bad habits like smoking, drinking, caffeine addiction, gambling etc. The idea is to make habit-breaking a continuous process where users can track their progress and setbacks without feeling guilty when they slip up.

Here’s where I’m stuck:

I’ve got some early traction the app’s getting downloads and users are engaging with the tracking features. But when it comes to keeping users engaged over the long term, I’m hitting a wall. The initial excitement wears off after a week or two.

What I’ve tried so far:

- Push notifications: Reminders to track progress or update goals.

- Leaderboards : Friendly competition with other users.

- Progress tracking: Clear visuals of improvement, with streaks and milestones.

But none of these seem to maintain the same level of engagement beyond the first few days.

I know habit-building isn’t an overnight process, but I’m trying to figure out how to turn short-term excitement into long-term consistency.

Would love to hear your thoughts or experiences. What worked for you when it came to keeping users engaged in the long run?

Thanks in advance for any advice!🙏🏻