I can only offer observations from my own experience. The first couple months were ups and downs; then I joined SR and the camaraderie made everything much easier.
For me, I look at it as a line drawn in the sand, a stake placed in the earth. It's simply out of the question. Since then, I've had the same experience Sober Potamus described, very fleeting thoughts that my mind rejected because the line was drawn and the stake was placed.
I stay here on SR because, in addition to the company here that I truly enjoy, it keeps my resolve strong. I don't want to take any chances with my sobriety and being here reinforces that on a daily basis.