Twenty year member of AA.

I think the miracle is that a group of sick people can come together with a singleness of purpose and get results. I don't know how you can put a percentage failure rate on it. I don't think there are any reliable statistics.

It is true though. 13 stepping happens. Lots of sick behavior happens. We have to watch out for each other. The town I got sober in many people started in NA and switched to AA because so many in NA were drinking beer and smoking pot and claiming sobriety. Just because someone claims they are working a good program doesn't mean they are a saint. I have seen my share of sick behavior even from guys with many years of sobriety. Even if you have a good sponsor don't expect them to be a saint. We are all human and love, tolerance, and forgiveness is important. We have to protect each other though, especially new women. In my groups the women with time watch out for the new ones like a hawk.