OFTEN 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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OFTEN occurs 119 times (Definition from Merriam-Webster Online)

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... often able, intelligent, friendly people. BB xxx(xxviii), The Doctor's Opinion

They are often able, intelligent, friendly people.

... often as we can. BB p.162, A Vision For You

Those of us who travel drop in as often as we can.

... often ask ourselves, "Am I doing to ... 12&12 p.93, Step Ten

And we can often ask ourselves, "Am I doing to others as I would have them do to me -- today?"

... often asked: "Why can't we take a ... 12&12 p.103, Step Eleven

Of course, it is reasonable and understandable that the question is often asked: "Why can't we take a specific and troubling dilemma straight to God, and in prayer secure from Him sure and definite answers to our requests?"

... often astonish us. 12&12 p.84, Step Nine

The generous response of most people to such quiet sincerity will often astonish us.

... often at this stage they are not. 12&12 p.133, Tradition Two

But more often at this stage they are not.

... often become conscious of God as they ... 12&12 p.62, Step Five

And even those who had faith already often become conscious of God as they never were before.

... often been led to the bottle and ... 12&12 p.45, Step Four

This is not a moral inventory at all; it is the very process by which the depressive has so often been led to the bottle and extinction.

... often begins to assert himself. BB p.131, The Family Afterward

Father, coming suddenly to life again, often begins to assert himself.

10.

... often caused the people we had loved ... 12&12 p.115, Step Twelve

This often caused the people we had loved most to push us aside or perhaps desert us entirely.

11.

... often check ourselves by remembering that we ... 12&12 p.92, Step Ten

As an insurance against "big-shot-ism" we can often check ourselves by remembering that we are today sober only by the grace of God and that any success we may be having is far more His success than ours.

12.

... often come strongly. BB p.75, Into Action

The feeling that the drink problem has disappeared will often come strongly.

13.

... often continued to haunt us. 12&12 p.121, Step Twelve

Even when we were well reestablished in our business, these terrible fears often continued to haunt us.

14.

... often desirable, but we let God be ... BB p.70, How It Works

Counsel with persons is often desirable, but we let God be the final judge.

15.

... often difficult to deal with. BB p.110, To Wives

Oddly enough, he is often difficult to deal with.

16.

... often discover a greater challenge in the ... 12&12 p.114, Step Twelve

But also like others, we often discover a greater challenge in the lesser and more continuous problems of life.

17.

... often disputed question of whether God can ... 12&12 p.63, Step Six

Of course, the often disputed question of whether God can -- and will, under certain conditions -- remove defects of character will be answered with a prompt affirmative by almost any A.A. member.

18.

... often do? 12&12 p.113, Step Twelve

Can we now, with the help of God as we understand Him, handle them as well and as bravely as our nonalcoholic friends often do?

19.

... often doing thankless tasks that no one ... 12&12 p.167, Tradition Eight

Ignoring the fact that these labors were not Twelfth Step jobs at all, the critics attacked as A.A. professionals these workers of ours who were often doing thankless tasks that no one else could or would do.

20.

... often done their worst. 12&12 p.51, Step Four

In these areas fear, greed, possessiveness, and pride have too often done their worst.

21.

... often employs a full-time secretary. 12&12 p.191, Tradition Nine (Long)

The small group may elect its secretary, the large group its rotating committee, and the groups of a large metropolitan area their central or intergroup committee, which often employs a full-time secretary.

22.

... often employs a full-time secretary. BB p.565(567), Appendix I, The A.A. Tradition

23.

... often enable us to clear a channel ... 12&12 p.103, Step Eleven

Just saying it over and over will often enable us to clear a channel choked up with anger, fear, frustration, or misunderstanding, and permit us to return to the surest help of all -- our search for God's will, not our own, in the moment of stress.

24.

... often enhance such unions. 12&12 p.119, Step Twelve

Their common suffering as drinkers, their common interest in A.A. and spiritual things, often enhance such unions.

25.

... often far exceed their proper functions. 12&12 p.42, Step Four

Yet these instincts, so necessary for our existence, often far exceed their proper functions.

26.

... often feels very remorseful at times, especially ... BB p.81, Into Action

A man so involved often feels very remorseful at times, especially if he is married to a loyal and courageous girl who has literally gone through hell for him.

27.

... often find such a person quick to ... BB p.74, Into Action

We often find such a person quick to see and understand our problem.

28.

... often follow such a reunion. BB p.134, The Family Afterward

Marvelous results often follow such a reunion.

29.

... often forget father was beyond human aid. BB p.128, The Family Afterward

They often forget father was beyond human aid.

30.

... often found ourselves handicapped by obstinacy, sensitiveness, ... BB p.48, We Agnostics

Besides a seeming inability to accept much on faith, we often found ourselves handicapped by obstinacy, sensitiveness, and unreasoning prejudice.

31.

... often found this the best course to ... BB p.81, Into Action

Though there may be justifiable exceptions, and though we wish to lay down no rule of any sort, we have often found this the best course to take.

32.

... often friends of the newcomer are aware ... BB p.567(569), Appendix II, Spiritual Experience

Quite often friends of the newcomer are aware of the difference long before he is himself.

33.

... often get quite far off the beam. 12&12 p.112, Step Twelve

Without necessarily taking that first drink, we often get quite far off the beam.

34.

... often gets entirely out of hand when ... BB p.109, To Wives

He often gets entirely out of hand when drinking.

35.

... often getting a misshapen and painful pleasure ... 12&12 p.45, Step Four

We wallow in this messy bog, often getting a misshapen and painful pleasure out of it.

36.

... often going much too far in the ... 12&12 p.121, Step Twelve

Upon entering A.A., these attitudes were sharply reversed, often going much too far in the opposite direction.

37.

... often had difficulty in realizing how hopeless ... 12&12 p.22, Step One

Even these "last-gaspers" often had difficulty in realizing how hopeless they actually were.

38.

... often have little idea how prevalent this ... BB p.149, To Employers

We believe that managers of large enterprises often have little idea how prevalent this problem is.

39.

... often have some of us begun to ... BB p.24, There Is A Solution

How often have some of us begun to drink in this nonchalant way, and after the third or fourth, pounded on the bar and said to ourselves, "For God's sake, how did I ever get started again?"

40.

... often have we heard them cry out, ... 12&12 p.25, Step Two

How often have we heard them cry out, "Look what you people have done to us!

41.

... often helpful, of course depending upon a ... BB p.133, The Family Afterward

One of the many doctors who had the opportunity of reading this book in manuscript form told us that the use of sweets was often helpful, of course depending upon a doctor's advice.

42.

... often, however, the thoughts that seem to ... 12&12 p.103, Step Eleven

Quite often, however, the thoughts that seem to come from God are not answers at all.

43.

... often in a difficult position. BB p.147, To Employers

These juniors are often in a difficult position.

44.

... often in good cheer. 12&12 p.114, Step Twelve

We have seen A.A.'s suffer lingering and fatal illness with little complaint, and often in good cheer.

45.

... often indispensable in treating a newcomer and ... BB p.133, The Family Afterward

Their services are often indispensable in treating a newcomer and in following his case afterward.

46.

... often intensely disliked. 12&12 p.70, Step Seven

Not only is the idea misunderstood; the word itself is often intensely disliked.

47.

... often is not enough. BB xxix(xxvii), The Doctor's Opinion

Although he gives all that is in him, it often is not enough.

48.

Often it was while working on this ... 12&12 p.58, Step Five

Often it was while working on this Step with our sponsors or spiritual advisers that we first felt truly able to forgive others, no matter how deeply we felt they had wronged us.

49.

... often jeopardize their own positions by trying ... BB p.147, To Employers

They often jeopardize their own positions by trying to help serious drinkers who should have been fired long ago, or else given an opportunity to get well.

50.

... often led straight to the bottle. 12&12 p.90, Step Ten

These emotional "dry benders" often led straight to the bottle.

51.

... often let him feel it. BB p.126, The Family Afterward

They are all disappointed, and often let him feel it.

52.

... often let these far exceed their intended ... 12&12 p.65, Step Six

Since most of us are born with an abundance of natural desires, it isn't strange that we often let these far exceed their intended purpose.

53.

... often lie in preparing the way for ... BB p.569(571), Appendix III, The Medical View on A.A.

Dr. Harry M. Tiebout, psychiatrist: "As a psychiatrist, I have thought a great deal about the relationship of my specialty to A.A. and I have come to the conclusion that our particular function can very often lie in preparing the way for the patient to accept any sort of treatment or outside help.

54.

... often maintain local offices where alcoholics or ... BB p.573(575), Appendix VI, How to Get in Touch With A.A.

In large cities, groups often maintain local offices where alcoholics or their families may arrange for interviews or hospitalization.

55.

... often makes the difference between failure and ... BB p.98, Working With Others

That often makes the difference between failure and success.

56.

... often manufacture plausible excuses for dodging these ... 12&12 p.85, Step Nine

We will often manufacture plausible excuses for dodging these issues entirely.

57.

... often may impose on you. BB p.141, To Employers

Of course that isn't so, and such people often may impose on you.

58.

... often misunderstood. 12&12 p.58, Step Five

Another great dividend we may expect from confiding our defects to another human being is humility -- a word often misunderstood.

59.

... often near. BB p.107, To Wives

Death was often near.

60.

... often need it to carry green recruits ... BB p.102, Working With Others

We often need it to carry green recruits through a severe hangover.

61.

... often obliged to treat father as a ... BB p.130, The Family Afterward

By force of circumstances, she was often obliged to treat father as a sick or wayward child.

62.

... often observed, defiance is the outstanding characteristic ... 12&12 p.31, Step Two

"As psychiatrists have often observed, defiance is the outstanding characteristic of many an alcoholic.

63.

... often overcomes his excessive concentration upon himself. BB p.570(572), Appendix III, The Medical View on A.A.

They help others with similar problems ... In this atmosphere the alcoholic often overcomes his excessive concentration upon himself.

64.

... often pass through Twelfth Step experiences where ... 12&12 p.110, Step Twelve

We may often pass through Twelfth Step experiences where we will seem to be temporarily off the beam.

65.

... often pay dearly for skimping this Step. 12&12 p.56, Step Five

Even A.A. oldtimers, sober for years, often pay dearly for skimping this Step.

66.

... often perfectly sensible and well balanced concerning ... BB p.21, There Is A Solution

He is often perfectly sensible and well balanced concerning everything except liquor, but in that respect he is incredibly dishonest and selfish.

67.

... often pondered these things. BB p.10, Bill's Story

I had often pondered these things.

68.

... often possesses special abilities, skills, and aptitudes, ... BB p.21, There Is A Solution

He often possesses special abilities, skills, and aptitudes, and has a promising career ahead of him.

69.

... often produces the contrary effect. BB p.125, The Family Afterward

A man may criticize or laugh at himself and it will affect others favorably, but criticism or ridicule coming from another often produces the contrary effect.

70.

... often prove more solid and formidable for ... 12&12 p.28, Step Two

The roadblocks of indifference, fancied self-sufficiency, prejudice, and defiance often prove more solid and formidable for these people than any erected by the unconvinced agnostic or even the militant atheist.

71.

... often quite wrong. BB p.66, How It Works

The first thing apparent was that this world and its people were often quite wrong.

72.

... often recover overnight nor do twisted thinking ... BB p.133, The Family Afterward

Now about health: A body badly burned by alcohol does not often recover overnight nor do twisted thinking and depression vanish in a twinkling.

73.

... often remains strong in other respects. BB p.7, Bill's Story

It relieved me somewhat to learn that in alcoholics the will is amazingly weakened when it comes to combating liquor, though it often remains strong in other respects.

74.

... often requires a definite hospital procedure, before ... BB xxviii(xxvi), The Doctor's Opinion

Of course an alcoholic ought to be freed from his physical craving for liquor, and this often requires a definite hospital procedure, before psychological measures can be of maximum benefit.

75.

... often revolt. 12&12 p.44, Step Four

When an individual's desire for prestige becomes uncontrollable, whether in the sewing circle or at the international conference table, other people suffer and often revolt.

76.

... often said right here in this meeting ... 12&12 p.138, Tradition Two

'Bill, haven't you often said right here in this meeting that sometimes the good is the enemy of the best?

77.

... often says that if he had continued ... BB p.96, Working With Others

He often says that if he had continued to work on them, he might have deprived many others, who have since recovered, of their chance.

78.

... often see from 50 to 200 persons. BB p.16, Bill's Story

At these informal gatherings one may often see from 50 to 200 persons.

79.

... often seemed a fool of the first ... BB p.137, To Employers

To him the alcoholic has often seemed a fool of the first magnitude.

80.

... often seems like a very dubious and ... 12&12 p.106, Step Twelve

To new A.A.'s, this often seems like a very dubious and improbable state of affairs.

81.

... often seems no way of entirely getting ... BB p.62, How It Works

And there often seems no way of entirely getting rid of self without His aid.

82.

... often set right.(*) 12&12 p.118, Step Twelve

Nevertheless, under the influence of A.A.'s Twelve Steps, these situations are often set right.(*)

83.

... often should not show it to his ... BB p.148, To Employers

He need not, and often should not show it to his alcoholic prospect.

84.

... often some of us will fit more ... 12&12 p.48, Step Four

But just as often some of us will fit more or less into both classifications.

85.

... often spurred by religious and racial difference. 12&12 p.176, Tradition Ten

In our own times, we have seen millions die in political and economic wars often spurred by religious and racial difference.

86.

... often staying up all night. BB p.158, A Vision For You

He entered a political campaign, making speeches, frequenting men's gathering places of all sorts, often staying up all night.

87.

... often stemmed from alcoholism. 12&12 p.117, Step Twelve

Our main problem is not how we are to stay married; it is how to be more happily married by eliminating the severe emotional twists that have so often stemmed from alcoholism.

88.

... often such men had spectacular and powerful ... BB p.113, To Wives

Yet often such men had spectacular and powerful recoveries.

89.

... often surprised how the right answers come ... BB p.86, Into Action

We are often surprised how the right answers come after we have tried this for a while.

90.

... often suspect they are down for the ... BB p.23, There Is A Solution

But they often suspect they are down for the count.

91.

... often takes place in a few months ... BB p.567(569), Appendix II, Spiritual Experience

What often takes place in a few months could seldom have been accomplished by years of self-discipline.

92.

... often tend to slight serious meditation and ... 12&12 p.96, Step Eleven

So it isn't surprising that we often tend to slight serious meditation and prayer as something not really necessary.

93.

... often than not, it is imperative that ... BB xxvi(xxiv), The Doctor's Opinion

More often than not, it is imperative that a man's brain be cleared before he is approached, as he has then a better chance of understanding and accepting what we have to offer.

94.

... often than not, these onslaughts were spearheaded ... 12&12 p.170, Tradition Eight

More often than not, these onslaughts were spearheaded by the cry "Professionalism!

95.

... often the breadwinner. 12&12 p.118, Step Twelve

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

96.

... often the difference between life and death. BB p.561(563), Appendix I, The A.A. Tradition

To those now in its fold, Alcoholics Anonymous has made the difference between misery and sobriety, and often the difference between life and death.

97.

Often these personalities are just as sharply ... 12&12 p.48, Step Four

Often these personalities are just as sharply defined as the examples given.

98.

... often they are based upon a supposition ... 12&12 p.104, Step Eleven

Such prayers, of course, are fundamentally good acts, but often they are based upon a supposition that we know God's will for the person for whom we pray.

99.

... often think of another case brought in ... BB xxxi(xxix), The Doctor's Opinion

When I need a mental uplift, I often think of another case brought in by a physician prominent in New York.

100.

Often this is not so at all. BB p.145, To Employers

Often this is not so at all.

101.

... often, though, we had met up with ... 12&12 p.31, Step Two

More often, though, we had met up with some major calamity, and to our way of thinking lost out because God deserted us.

102.

... often three, got to be routine. BB p.5, Bill's Story

"Bathtub" gin, two bottles a day, and often three, got to be routine.

103.

... often throw to the winds every chance ... 12&12 p.44, Step Four

These people often throw to the winds every chance for legitimate security and a happy family life.

104.

... often to condemn him to endless misery. 12&12 p.141, Tradition Three

At last experience taught us that to take away any alcoholic's full chance was sometimes to pronounce his death sentence, and often to condemn him to endless misery.

105.

... often to our consternation, that this is ... 12&12 p.73, Step Seven

Then we learn, often to our consternation, that this is only the first milestone on the new road we are walking.

106.

... often took a long time. 12&12 p.47, Step Four

To see how erratic emotions victimized us often took a long time.

107.

... often tread on even more dangerous ground ... 12&12 p.66, Step Six

And we shall often tread on even more dangerous ground when we cry, "This I will never give up!"

108.

... often truly childish. 12&12 p.123, Step Twelve

We would not believe that our adult dreams were often truly childish.

109.

... often try to do much the same ... 12&12 p.100, Step Eleven

And though sober nowadays, don't we often try to do much the same thing?

110.

... often turn into the real thing and ... BB p.33, More About Alcoholism

Potential female alcoholics often turn into the real thing and are gone beyond recall in a few years.

111.

... often tyrannize us. 12&12 p.42, Step Four

Our desires for sex, for material and emotional security, and for an important place in society often tyrannize us.

112.

... often unbearable -- could be extended almost indefinitely. 12&12 p.81, Step Eight

Such a roster of harms done others -- the kind that make daily living with us as practicing alcoholics difficult and often unbearable -- could be extended almost indefinitely.

113.

... often warned us that nothing can so ... 12&12 p.191, Tradition Seven (Long)

Experience has often warned us that nothing can so surely destroy our spiritual heritage as futile disputes over property, money, and authority.

114.

... often warned us that nothing can so ... BB p.564(566), Appendix I, The A.A. Tradition

Experience has often warned us that nothing can so surely destroy our spiritual heritage as futile disputes over property, money, and authority.

115.

... often we work hard with no better ... 12&12 p.67, Step Six

And how often we work hard with no better motive than to be secure and slothful later on -- only we call that "retiring."

116.

... often with fine results. 12&12 p.119, Step Twelve

He persistently tries all of A.A.'s Twelve Steps in his home, often with fine results.

117.

... often wondered what we might do about ... 12&12 p.137, Tradition Two

We've often wondered what we might do about it.

118.

... often years before the onset of extreme ... 12&12 p.23, Step One

After a few such experiences, often years before the onset of extreme difficulties, he would return to us convinced.

119.

Often you must carry the burden of ... BB p.117, To Wives

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

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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