As the article says, the core problem here is that the AA/12 step step definition of success and failure basically means that it is close to impossible for 12 s

As the article says, the core problem here is that the AA/12 step step definition of success and failure basically means that it is close to impossible for 12 step programs to ever fail. They definitionally treat any reversion/falling off as being a failure of the patient not the treatment. This is the same as saying “this chemo isn’t working due to your personal failures” and then reporting a near 100% success rate for said drug. The resultant “high” success rate then leads to courts imposing generally religiously affiliated “programs” that claim to not require god, but sure as heck make it difficult to avoid. While I’m sure many aren’t making use of this system to gain coercive power over people who aren’t in a great place it’s very clear that many do.