Weeell, I think the idea pushed by some, that you can never recover is pretty hope destroying, and has not been my experience. A couple I can think of were right in that they could not recover, at least not that time around.
Depending on where you are with things, one could be a newcomer, recovering as one works through the steps, or recovered having worked the steps and had a spiritual experience as the result.
I don't believe one can never recover because one is always recovering. That doesn't seem to be what the program is about. Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not COMPLETELY give themselves to this simple program."
I was happy enough to completely give myself to the program. It has worked very well for me and many others, and I don't feel qualified to make any changes. I'll continue to take it as it is.