Shame, which was insufficient to keep us from falling, can lead us to be dishonest with our fellow strugglers so we cannot profit from their feedback. For example, some of us skip a meeting when we have had a difficult week and don't want others to know. Others of us come to the meeting but do not share our hurts and failings. Still others share but refuse feedback. A real safe place is one which will not allow a member to remain trapped in illusion but will tenderly but firmly show all the folly and ugliness of sin.
Recovery is a matter of life and death for many physically, for all psychologically and spiritually.
We dare not fool ourselves or each other is so grave an undertaking.