My experience was that "craving events" became less frequent and less strong over time. I would say mostly gone after 6 months, and after a year they were very rare. But even now, nine years in I will still once or twice a year get that twinge when I am in a stressful situation or feeling emotionally overwhelmed. The solution is the same as it ever was: do something to occupy myself and in 15 minutes or so, the feeling is completely gone.
On the other hand, from what I have been told by others in recovery who relapsed in small or large ways, drinking essentially sets the clock back and it takes months again for the cravings to go away. Relapse is not a "normal" part of recovery, and time does not make us any less alcoholic than when we were drinking at our worst.
Never forget your last drink... or chances are you haven't had it yet.