A very good question and one I really have to think hard about. For me it is a long term illness and coping skills, trigger avoidance, NA and therapy are my medications to beat the illness. I think it will always be there but in a way it is like a relationship with someone. I had an intense relationship with my drug of choice everyday, now I dont see the drug anymore and the longer I maintain sobriety, this absence from it, I hope the less familiar I will become with it.

Good luck