MUST in Big Book Alcoholics Anonymous, 12 Steps and 12 Traditions

From the books ... Alcoholics Anonymous (Big Book) and Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions (12 & 12)

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MUST occurs 131 times (Definition from Merriam-Webster Online)

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... must!" 12&12 p.129, Tradition One

They repeatedly say "We ought..." but never "You must!"

Must A.A.'s spend most of their waking ... 12&12 p.89, Step Ten

Must A.A.'s spend most of their waking hours drearily rehashing their sins of omission or commission?

... must abide by its suggestions. BB p.144, To Employers

When the man is presented with this volume it is best that no one tell him he must abide by its suggestions.

... must acquire an immediate and overwhelming "God-consciousness" ... BB p.567(569), Appendix II, Spiritual Experience

Though it was not our intention to create such an impression, many alcoholics have nevertheless concluded that in order to recover they must acquire an immediate and overwhelming "God-consciousness" followed at once by a vast change in feeling and outlook.

... must act, for the more you hurry ... BB p.113, To Wives

Wait until repeated stumbling convinces him he must act, for the more you hurry him the longer his recovery may be delayed.

... must admit that we have loved but ... 12&12 p.92, Step Ten

Most of us must admit that we have loved but a few; that we have been quite indifferent to the many so long as none of them gave us trouble; and as for the remainder -- well, we have really disliked or hated them.

... must admit we have made little impression ... BB xxix(xxvii), The Doctor's Opinion

Though the aggregate of recoveries resulting from psychiatric effort is considerable, we physicians must admit we have made little impression upon the problem as a whole.

... must always stay poor. 12&12 p.165, Tradition Seven

They declared for the principle that A.A. must always stay poor.

... must, and of course, will want to ... BB p.74, Into Action

Those of us belonging to a religious denomination which requires confession must, and of course, will want to go to the properly appointed authority whose duty it is to receive it.

10.

... must, and ultimately because we love the ... 12&12 p.174, Tradition Nine

So we of A.A. do obey spiritual principles, first because we must, and ultimately because we love the kind of life such obedience brings.

11.

... must apologize as though your husband were ... BB p.115, To Wives

You will no longer be self-conscious or feel that you must apologize as though your husband were a weak character.

12.

... must ask about their behavior respecting financial ... 12&12 p.51, Step Four

Also of importance for most alcoholics are the questions they must ask about their behavior respecting financial and emotional security.

13.

... must avoid moving pictures which show drinking ... BB p.101, Working With Others

People have said we must not go where liquor is served; we must not have it in our homes; we must shun friends who drink; we must avoid moving pictures which show drinking scenes; we must not go into bars; our friends must hide their bottles if we go to their houses; we mustn't think or be reminded about alcohol at all.

14.

... must avoid quick-tempered criticism and furious, power-driven ... 12&12 p.91, Step Ten

We must avoid quick-tempered criticism and furious, power-driven argument.

15.

... must avoid those dangers of great wealth, ... 12&12 p.175, Tradition Nine

A.A. has to function, but at the same time it must avoid those dangers of great wealth, prestige, and entrenched power which necessarily tempt other societies.

16.

... must be a heavy penalty, it was ... 12&12 p.143, Tradition Three

There must be a heavy penalty, it was thought, for blasphemy.

17.

... must be accompanied by self sacrifice and ... BB p.93, Working With Others

To be vital, faith must be accompanied by self sacrifice and unselfish, constructive action.

18.

... must be an angle somewhere." 12&12 p.132, Tradition Two

There must be an angle somewhere."

19.

... must be answered by people who know. 12&12 p.168, Tradition Eight

Sacks of letters on every conceivable A.A. problem ranging from a lonely-heart Eskimo to the growing pains of thousands of groups must be answered by people who know.

20.

... must be careful not to drift into ... BB p.86, Into Action

But we must be careful not to drift into worry, remorse or morbid reflection, for that would diminish our usefulness to others.

21.

... must be convinced of his new status ... BB p.135, The Family Afterward

The others must be convinced of his new status beyond the shadow of a doubt.

22.

... must be dealt with to prevent a ... 12&12 p.73, Step Seven

Still goaded by sheer necessity, we reluctantly come to grips with those serious character flaws that made problem drinkers of us in the first place, flaws which must be dealt with to prevent a retreat into alcoholism once again.

23.

... must be discussed, let's try to avoid ... 12&12 p.86, Step Nine

And even in those cases where such a matter must be discussed, let's try to avoid harming third parties, whoever they may be.

24.

... must be done. BB p.130, The Family Afterward

That is where our fellow travelers are, and that is where our work must be done.

25.

... must be done if any results are ... BB p.99, Working With Others

In many homes this is a difficult thing to do, but it must be done if any results are to be expected.

26.

... must be entirely honest with somebody if ... BB p.73, Into Action

We must be entirely honest with somebody if we expect to live long or happily in this world.

27.

... must be grounded in a power greater ... BB xxviii(xxvi), The Doctor's Opinion

In nearly all cases, their ideals must be grounded in a power greater than themselves, if they are to re-create their lives.

28.

... must be hard on ourself, but always ... BB p.74, Into Action

The rule is we must be hard on ourself, but always considerate of others.

29.

... must be honest if he would live ... BB p.146, To Employers

For he knows he must be honest if he would live at all.

30.

... must be hope of the same result ... 12&12 p.76, Step Seven

If that degree of humility could enable us to find the grace by which such a deadly obsession could be banished, then there must be hope of the same result respecting any other problem we could possibly have.

31.

... must be in the nature of sudden ... BB p.567(569), Appendix II, Spiritual Experience

Yet it is true that our first printing gave many readers the impression that these personality changes, or religious experiences, must be in the nature of sudden and spectacular upheavals.

32.

... must be intolerably damaging. 12&12 p.38, Step Three

This very form of faulty dependence has caused many a rebellious alcoholic to conclude that dependence of any sort must be intolerably damaging.

33.

... must be made or engagement kept. BB p.21, There Is A Solution

He has a positive genius for getting tight at exactly the wrong moment, particularly when some important decision must be made or engagement kept.

34.

... must be many such in this town. BB p.154, A Vision For You

There must be many such in this town.

35.

... must be mastered, but how? BB p.66, How It Works

We saw that these resentments must be mastered, but how?

36.

... must be met and decisions made, and ... 12&12 p.102, Step Eleven

As the day goes on, we can pause where situations must be met and decisions made, and renew the simple request: "Thy will, not mine, be done."

37.

... must be no reservation of any kind, ... BB p.33, More About Alcoholism

If we are planning to stop drinking, there must be no reservation of any kind, nor any lurking notion that someday we will be immune to alcohol.

38.

... must be nuts!" 12&12 p.174, Tradition Nine

They must be nuts!"

39.

... must be on a better basis, since ... BB p.99, Working With Others

If their old relationship is to be resumed it must be on a better basis, since the former did not work.

40.

... must be on guard not to embarrass ... BB p.115, To Wives

But you must be on guard not to embarrass or harm your husband.

41.

... must be quite as careful when we ... 12&12 p.91, Step Ten

We must be quite as careful when we begin to achieve some measure of importance and material success.

42.

... must be rid of this selfishness. BB p.62, How It Works

Above everything, we alcoholics must be rid of this selfishness.

43.

... must be silenced whenever these could damage ... 12&12 p.130, Tradition One

He learns that the clamor of desires and ambitions within him must be silenced whenever these could damage the group.

44.

... must be sure to remember that we ... 12&12 p.84, Step Nine

While we may be quite willing to reveal the very worst, we must be sure to remember that we cannot buy our own peace of mind at the expense of others.

45.

... must be weak." BB p.20, There Is A Solution

"His will power must be weak."

46.

... must be willing to grow toward it. BB p.69, How It Works

Whatever our ideal turns out to be, we must be willing to grow toward it.

47.

... must be willing to make amends where ... BB p.69, How It Works

We must be willing to make amends where we have done harm, provided that we do not bring about still more harm in so doing.

48.

... must become the head of the house, ... 12&12 p.118, Step Twelve

If the man is affected, the wife must become the head of the house, often the breadwinner.

49.

... must believe -- that the body of the ... BB xxvi(xxiv), The Doctor's Opinion

In this statement he confirms what we who have suffered alcoholic torture must believe -- that the body of the alcoholic is quite as abnormal as his mind.

50.

... must, but later he discovers a way ... 12&12 p.130, Tradition One

At first he goes along because he must, but later he discovers a way of life he really wants to live.

51.

... must carry his message to another alcoholic. BB xvi, Foreword to Second Edition

Display entire Foreword to Second Edition

He suddenly realized that in order to save himself he must carry his message to another alcoholic.

52.

... must carry the burden of avoiding them ... BB p.117, To Wives

Often you must carry the burden of avoiding them or keeping them under control.

53.

... must carry the vision of God's will ... BB p.85, Into Action

Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God's will into all of our activities.

54.

... must come from a Higher Power. BB p.43, More About Alcoholism

His defense must come from a Higher Power.

55.

... must come from within. BB p.95, Working With Others

If he is to find God, the desire must come from within.

56.

... must consist of recognizing our deficiencies. 12&12 p.58, Step Five

Therefore, our first practical move toward humility must consist of recognizing our deficiencies.

57.

... must continue to live or most of ... 12&12 p.189, Tradition One (Long)

A.A. must continue to live or most of us will surely die.

58.

... must continue to live or most of ... BB p.563(565), Appendix I, The A.A. Tradition

A.A. must continue to live or most of us will surely die.

59.

... must decide for himself. BB p.144, To Employers

The man must decide for himself.

60.

... must decide for himself whether he wants ... BB p.95, Working With Others

After doing that, he must decide for himself whether he wants to go on.

61.

... must decide these things. BB p.90, Working With Others

The family must decide these things.

62.

... must discharge. BB p.574, Appendix VII, Twelve Concepts (Short Form)

IV. At all responsible levels, we ought to maintain a traditional "Right of Participation," allowing a voting representation in reasonable proportion to the responsibility that each must discharge.

63.

... must do about his drinking. BB p.111, To Wives

Our next thought is that you should never tell him what he must do about his drinking.

64.

... must do likewise with still others. BB xxv(xxiii), The Doctor's Opinion

As part of his rehabilitation he commenced to present his conceptions to other alcoholics, impressing upon them that they must do likewise with still others.

65.

... must eventually conform to whatever tested principles ... 12&12 p.146, Tradition Four

We saw that the group, exactly like the individual, must eventually conform to whatever tested principles would guarantee survival.

66.

... must ever know. 12&12 p.56, Step Five

Not a soul must ever know.

67.

... must find a spiritual basis of life ... BB p.44, We Agnostics

But after a while we had to face the fact that we must find a spiritual basis of life -- or else.

68.

... must find a way out. BB p.153, A Vision For You

They will approach still other sick ones and fellowships of Alcoholics Anonymous may spring up in each city and hamlet, havens for those who must find a way out.

69.

... must find their real strength. 12&12 p.131, Tradition One

Each needed to consider the others, and in abiding faith they knew they must find their real strength.

70.

... must get along without liquor, but how ... BB p.152, A Vision For You

I know I must get along without liquor, but how can I?

71.

... must go further and that means more ... BB p.85, Into Action

But we must go further and that means more action.

72.

... must go with us constantly. BB p.85, Into Action

These are thoughts which must go with us constantly.

73.

... must have. 12&12 p.75, Step Seven

A great turning point in our lives came when we sought for humility as something we really wanted, rather than as something we must have.

74.

... must have depth and weight. BB xxviii(xxvi), The Doctor's Opinion

The message which can interest and hold these alcoholic people must have depth and weight.

75.

... must have -- or else. 12&12 p.121, Step Twelve

Complete financial security we must have -- or else.

76.

... must have this thing." BB p.29, There Is A Solution

Our hope is that many alcoholic men and women, desperately in need, will see these pages, and we believe that it is only by fully disclosing ourselves and our problems that they will be persuaded to say, "Yes, I am one of them too; I must have this thing."

77.

Must he renounce all this to save ... 12&12 p.25, Step Two

Must he renounce all this to save himself?

78.

... must help me!" BB xxix(xxvii), The Doctor's Opinion

You must help me!"

79.

... must help other alcoholics if they would ... BB p.159, A Vision For You

Though they knew they must help other alcoholics if they would remain sober, that motive became secondary.

80.

... must hide their bottles if we go ... BB p.101, Working With Others

81.

... must hit bottom first? 12&12 p.24, Step One

Why all this insistence that every A.A. must hit bottom first?

82.

... must keep sober, for there will be ... BB p.82, Into Action

Certainly he must keep sober, for there will be no home if he doesn't.

83.

... must keep spiritually active. BB p.156, A Vision For You

Both saw that they must keep spiritually active.

84.

... must know in every detail where we ... 12&12 p.59, Step Five

If the Creator gave us our lives in the first place, then He must know in every detail where we have since gone wrong.

85.

... must listen; his fearlessness as he spoke ... BB p.10, Bill's Story

I could almost hear the sound of the preacher's voice as I sat, on still Sundays, way over there on the hillside; there was that proffered temperance pledge I never signed; my grandfather's good natured contempt of some church folk and their doings; his insistence that the spheres really had their music; but his denial of the preacher's right to tell him how he must listen; his fearlessness as he spoke of these things just before he died; these recollections welled up from the past.

86.

... must lose our fear of creditors no ... BB p.78, Into Action

We must lose our fear of creditors no matter how far we have to go, for we are liable to drink if we are afraid to face them.

87.

... must merit our consideration." BB p.569(571), Appendix III, The Medical View on A.A.

Any therapeutic or philosophic procedure which can prove a recovery rate of 50% to 60% must merit our consideration."

88.

... must necessarily be assumed by the trustees. BB p.575, Appendix VII, Twelve Concepts (Short Form)

Primary world service leadership, once exercised by the founders, must necessarily be assumed by the trustees.

89.

... must necessarily do so if we were ... 12&12 p.107, Step Twelve

In Step Two we saw that since we could not restore ourselves to sanity, some Higher Power must necessarily do so if we were to survive.

90.

... must never compel anyone to pay anything, ... 12&12 p.141, Tradition Three

Why did we dare to say, contrary to the experience of society and government everywhere, that we would neither punish nor deprive any A.A. of membership, that we must never compel anyone to pay anything, believe anything, or conform to anything?

91.

... must never drink. BB p.570(572), Appendix III, The Medical View on A.A.

They know that they must never drink.

92.

... must never, no matter what the provocation, ... 12&12 p.176, Tradition Ten

As by some deep instinct, we A.A.'s have known from the very beginning that we must never, no matter what the provocation, publicly take sides in any fight, even a worthy one.

93.

... must not exaggerate our defects or theirs. 12&12 p.82, Step Eight

We must not exaggerate our defects or theirs.

94.

... must not expect too much. BB p.118, To Wives

Yet you must not expect too much.

95.

... must not go into bars; our friends ... BB p.101, Working With Others

96.

... must not go where liquor is served; ... BB p.100, Working With Others

97.

... must not have it in our homes; ... BB p.101, Working With Others

98.

... must not miss. BB p.89, Working With Others

To watch people recover, to see them help others, to watch loneliness vanish, to see a fellowship grow up about you, to have a host of friends -- this is an experience you must not miss.

99.

... must not shrink. BB p.80, Into Action

If we have obtained permission, have consulted with others, asked God to help and the drastic step is indicated we must not shrink.

100.

... must not shrink at anything. BB p.79, Into Action

We must not shrink at anything.

101.

... must not use this as a mere ... BB p.75, Into Action

But we must not use this as a mere excuse to postpone.

102.

... must now depend upon Somebody or Something ... 12&12 p.39, Step Three

Surely he must now depend upon Somebody or Something else.

103.

... must, or it kills us! BB p.62, How It Works

We must, or it kills us!

104.

... must pay, we would pay." 12&12 p.31, Step Two

We soon concluded that whatever price in humility we must pay, we would pay."

105.

... must quickly assure you that A.A.'s tread ... 12&12 p.27, Step Two

I must quickly assure you that A.A.'s tread innumerable paths in their quest for faith.

106.

... must realize that dad, though marvelously improved, ... BB p.127, The Family Afterward

The family must realize that dad, though marvelously improved, is still convalescing.

107.

... must recognize now is that we exult ... 12&12 p.66, Step Six

What we must recognize now is that we exult in some of our defects.

108.

... must redouble his spiritual activities if he ... BB p.120, To Wives

Your husband will see at once that he must redouble his spiritual activities if he expects to survive.

109.

... must remember he did much to make ... BB p.127, The Family Afterward

We know there are difficult wives and families, but the man who is getting over alcoholism must remember he did much to make them so.

110.

... must remember that ten or twenty years ... BB p.83, Into Action

We must remember that ten or twenty years of drunkenness would make a skeptic out of anyone.

111.

... must remember that your real reliance is ... BB p.164, A Vision For You

God will determine that, so you must remember that your real reliance is always upon Him.

112.

... must say that she may understand, but ... BB p.81, Into Action

In fairness we must say that she may understand, but what are we going to do about a thing like that?

113.

... must see the danger of over-concentration on ... BB p.127, The Family Afterward

But he must see the danger of over-concentration on financial success.

114.

... must seem to every newcomer that more ... 12&12 p.49, Step Four

So when A.A. suggests a fearless moral inventory, it must seem to every newcomer that more is being asked of him than he can do.

115.

... must shun friends who drink; we must ... BB p.101, Working With Others

116.

... must sometimes feel his own inadequacy. BB xxix(xxvii), The Doctor's Opinion

Faced with this problem, if a doctor is honest with himself, he must sometimes feel his own inadequacy.

117.

... must start life anew. BB p.114, To Wives

But sometimes you must start life anew.

118.

... must still maintain my independence. 12&12 p.36, Step Three

But suppose that instinct still cries out, as it certainly will, "Yes, respecting alcohol, I guess I have to be dependent upon A.A., but in all other matters I must still maintain my independence.

119.

... must stop. BB p.141, To Employers

State that you know about his drinking, and that it must stop.

120.

... must stop, but I cannot! BB xxix(xxvii), The Doctor's Opinion

I must stop, but I cannot!

121.

... must surely come from medical men who ... BB xxv(xxiii), The Doctor's Opinion

Convincing testimony must surely come from medical men who have had experience with the sufferings of our members and have witnessed our return to health.

122.

... must surely get a warped yet definite ... 12&12 p.67, Step Six

From this defect we must surely get a warped yet definite satisfaction.

123.

... must survive or the individual will not. 12&12 p.130, Tradition One

It becomes plain that the group must survive or the individual will not.

124.

... must take appreciative cognizance of this great ... BB p.569(571), Appendix III, The Medical View on A.A.

I think our profession must take appreciative cognizance of this great therapeutic weapon.

125.

... must take the lead. BB p.83, Into Action

We must take the lead.

126.

... must try to repair the damage immediately ... BB p.99, Working With Others

But we must try to repair the damage immediately lest we pay the penalty by a spree.

127.

... must try with a will, or else ... 12&12 p.73, Step Seven

But again we are driven on by the inescapable conclusion which we draw from A.A. experience, that we surely must try with a will, or else fall by the wayside.

128.

... must turn in all things to the ... BB p.14, Bill's Story

I must turn in all things to the Father of Light who presides over us all.

129.

... must undergo a change of heart. BB p.143, To Employers

Though you are providing him with the best possible medical attention, he should understand that he must undergo a change of heart.

130.

... must walk day by day in the ... BB p.100, Working With Others

Both you and the new man must walk day by day in the path of spiritual progress.

131.

... must work together and hang together, else ... BB p.561(563), Appendix I, The A.A. Tradition

We alcoholics see that we must work together and hang together, else most of us will finally die alone.

Passages from the Big Book Alcoholics Anonymous and the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions are reprinted with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc. The A.A. Preamble, copyright © The A.A. Grapevine, Inc., is reprinted with permission. Permission to reprint does not in any way imply affiliation with or endorsement by either Alcoholics Anonymous or The A.A. Grapevine, Inc.

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