Instant - I still respond to new comers but I know what you mean. Where are all the 'Three years and Over Club' members? There are some loooong timers around but not many. When you've dug your way out of the alcohol pit is it hard to reach back to the people still mired in it?
My AV is pretty much silent these days. I went to a pub with friends two weeks ago and had no thoughts of drinking. The only hump in the road was they didn't have any orange juice!