Two thoughts: My SMART recovery leader does not think you have to attend meetings for life. He thinks once you develop hobbies, work out the issues that caused the drinking in the first place, and heal yourself mentally and physically, that you can drop off in attending meetings. He says, “If you find something better to do than attend a meeting, please do it!” Don’t be tied down by meetings. Don’t skip exercise because of a meeting, don’t skip a family function or coffee date with a friend. Of course, he loves it when you stop in for a meeting once in awhile and share your success story with the newbies.
That being said, my second thought is that alcohol will *never* go away. It’s in our stores, restaurants, on tv, on billboards, at parties, weddings etc. Sure you don’t have to dwell on it every day for the rest of your life, but I guarantee you’ll see something every day regarding alcohol. I too wish alcohol would just disappear.