Congratulations on admitting to your problem with alcohol and taking actions to improve yourself and your life.
Here is some guidance from someone who is also in recovery with an extensive background in a HIMS program at a major airline.
As pilots in HIMS, we have been diagnosed with a condition that normally prevents us from holding a medical certificate at all. Prior to 1976, there was no HIMS program. You were just grounded if you were diagnosed with a drug or alcohol problem. So the #1 suggestion is to be grateful for the opportunity to pursue a medical again at all.
With this diagnosis and opportunity comes additional responsibility. It's up to US to prove to the HIMS physicians, monitors, and the FAA that we are sober and fit to fly. We have to be willing to do whatever it takes, just as AA's 12 steps require honesty, open-mindedness, and WILLINGNESS.
I realize it may be inconvenient for you to drive 5 hours to a HIMS physician. But that is the exact sort of sacrifice that pilots in HIMS have to make regularly to keep our medical certificate. Each of us has some unique circumstances regarding our challenges such as geographic separation from HIMS resources, but rest assured that ALL of the pilots in HIMS are challenged like this in one way or another. You aren't unique. I myself have logged countless hours every year driving to HIMS-related appointments and AA meetings. My monitoring psychiatrist is half a day's drive away, but I know pilots who must fly to reach their appointments. It's just what we have to do.
And truth be known is that the FAA doesn't care, really. They just want to know you're sober and in recovery. So if you really want to pursue a HIMS Special Issuance, it's up to you to do whatever it takes.
I know, I sound harsh, but this is the reality of the HIMS program as I have experienced it firsthand. But welcome aboard. Strap-in and get ready for a ride.
The good news for you is that you will probably be given a limited number of years of monitoring, based on what you've told me. Three to five years is probably what I would expect. I know quite a few pilots who are being monitored for "life". I'm one of them.
Besides adjusting your attitude about what is in front of you, there might be a few alternatives. Search again for a HIMS physician that is closer to you. Or consider relocating closer a community with better HIMS support. Barring either of those, you're just stuck with the long drive ... or giving up your dream of returning to the cockpit.
Best wishes in navigating the HIMS program and I truly hope it works out for you. It's not easy but it can be done. Regardless, it will take fortitude and perseverance to reach your goals but stick with your dream and don't give up.