For the 12 step program to work do you need to be on it for the rest off your life?
For individuals that have been clean for 40 years and drink/gamble like any person without an addiction would you consider them cured?
Im saying that they do exist, but not as a rule, as the exception. Like I've said, I've been around addicts for a long time. Ive rarely, if ever, seen anyone who goes back to their drug of choice "like any person without an addiction". Its not unicorns and fairies, but very rare. Scared straight, may help some individuals. But by and large if you go back you either were not an addict, or it wasnt bad enough the first time around.
Oh, and please describe how one is "clean" for 40 years if they're not clean. I think you mean someone who is not in trouble because of their addiction for 40 years. Theyre still addicts. See my example above of a dry drunk.