I'm only two years in and never really had the pink cloud. Also I didn't go very far down the drinking road. I had read enough here as a codependent that I knew I didn't want to go further after one night of blacking out. Consequently, quiting drinnking didn't change my life that much. I do believe it will change my future.
Flowing, you address a super important issue. So many folks get really excited and happy about getting sober. I loved my class; there was great energy; however after a year there were only two of us posting anymore and finally just me. I like that you brought this up. In a way having that early pink-cloud euphoria can make long term sobriety harder . . . I'm kind of guessing here on that.