Experiences vary widely here.
In my own case, I had one HELL of a time getting the point where I understood that there was simply no possibility of me drinking without destroying myself. Once I fully appreciated that fact, I became fully committed to abstinence, and that commitment has never changed. The cravings were gone within 6 months or so and have never returned. I was a daily blackout drinker for 25 years, so I thought it would be much worse than it actually was. Perhaps it was the absolute commitment that did it; I don't know for sure.