No matter the excuse you hope they make progress but if they are lying there is still plenty of work to be done.
What's just as bad sometimes is the person covering especially if they are supposed to be the sober ones or not in need of rehab. If a person isn't available or can't make that's ok. But anytime I hear reasons, excuses or rationalizations before even being asked a question I think they want to put the issue of someone's absence to rest.
I've seen this a lot with someone covering for another-or should I say covering up a feud/not talking to that person as well.