cunning, baffling & powerful. it's always there as you say. i try not to think of how long i will make it to---1 year? 2 years? i just want to make it thru today....good thing is, after 16 months now, i no longer crave nor do i need a drink. i do go to aa meetings...usually 4 a week and that help keep me anchored. early on if i felt an urge, i called or talked to someone about it & found out it was normal....just had to find out how to deal with it. and i learned through listening to those with time and reading aa type literature. you can do it....just don't drink today.