ONCE 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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ONCE occurs 91 times (Definition from Merriam-Webster Online)

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... once. 12&12 p.73, Step Seven

A whole lifetime geared to self-centeredness cannot be set in reverse all at once.

... once. BB p.32, More About Alcoholism

Try it more than once.

... once. BB p.63, How It Works

This was only a beginning, though if honestly and humbly made, an effect, sometimes a very great one, was felt at once.

... once? BB p.86, Into Action

Have we kept something to ourselves which should be discussed with another person at once?

... once. BB p.92, Working With Others

If he is alcoholic, he will understand you at once.

... once. BB p.96, Working With Others

Do not be discouraged if your prospect does not respond at once.

... once. BB p.113, To Wives

He may not share your enthusiasm, but he is practically sure to read the book and he may go for the program at once.

... once. BB p.117, To Wives

But all problems will not be solved at once.

... once. BB xxvii(xxv), The Doctor's Opinion

Many years ago one of the leading contributors to this book came under our care in this hospital and while here he acquired some ideas which he put into practical application at once.

10.

... once a certain point is reached, little ... BB p.22, There Is A Solution

We are not sure why, once a certain point is reached, little can be done for him.

11.

... once a psychic change has occurred, the ... BB xxix(xxvii), The Doctor's Opinion

On the other hand -- and strange as this may seem to those who do not understand -- once a psychic change has occurred, the very same person who seemed doomed, who had so many problems he despaired of ever solving them, suddenly finds himself easily able to control his desire for alcohol, the only effort necessary being that required to follow a few simple rules.

12.

... once a well-known lawyer in town, but ... BB p.156, A Vision For You

Understand he was once a well-known lawyer in town, but just now we've got him strapped down tight.(*)

13.

... once across, their faith broadened and deepened. 12&12 p.27, Step Two

All of them will tell you that, once across, their faith broadened and deepened.

14.

... once again. 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.

15.

... once agnostic or atheistic, tells us that ... 12&12 p.62, Step Five

Many an A.A., once agnostic or atheistic, tells us that it was during this stage of Step Five that he first actually felt the presence of God.

16.

... "Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic." BB p.33, More About Alcoholism

We have seen the truth demonstrated again and again: "Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic."

17.

... once an independent board, is today directly ... 12&12 p.175, Tradition Nine

Even our Foundation, once an independent board, is today directly accountable to our Fellowship.

18.

... once and remained that way; 25% sobered ... BB xx, Foreword to Second Edition

Display entire Foreword to Second Edition

Of alcoholics who came to A.A. and really tried, 50% got sober at once and remained that way; 25% sobered up after some relapses, and among the remainder, those who stayed on with A.A. showed improvement.

19.

... once, and you may be tempted to ... BB p.95, Working With Others

Sometimes a new man is anxious to proceed at once, and you may be tempted to let him do so.

20.

... once ask, "How can we accept the ... 12&12 p.68, Step Six

Many will at once ask, "How can we accept the entire implication of Step Six?

21.

... once became paramount to all other interests ... BB xxix(xxvii), The Doctor's Opinion

They took a drink a day or so prior to the date, and then the phenomenon of craving at once became paramount to all other interests so that the important appointment was not met.

22.

... once believed as I do. 12&12 p.26, Step Two

It's no doubt a fact that A.A. is full of people who once believed as I do.

23.

... once, but I'm a nobody now. BB p.157, A Vision For You

I was once, but I'm a nobody now.

24.

... once by a vast change in feeling ... 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.

25.

... once by taking a few drinks -- drinks ... BB xxix(xxvii), The Doctor's Opinion

They are restless, irritable and discontented, unless they can again experience the sense of ease and comfort which comes at once by taking a few drinks -- drinks which they see others taking with impunity.

26.

Once confused and baffled by the seeming ... BB p.50, We Agnostics

Once confused and baffled by the seeming futility of existence, they show the underlying reasons why they were making heavy going of life.

27.

... once did and a heartbreaking obsession that ... BB p.151, A Vision For You

There was an insistent yearning to enjoy life as we once did and a heartbreaking obsession that some new miracle of control would enable us to do it.

28.

... once everybody's primary instincts are satisfied, there ... 12&12 p.71, Step Seven

The theory seems to be that once everybody's primary instincts are satisfied, there won't be much left to quarrel about.

29.

... once exercised by the founders, must necessarily ... 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.

30.

... once felt as he does, but you ... BB p.94, Working With Others

Tell him you once felt as he does, but you doubt whether you would have made much progress had you not taken action.

31.

... once felt this way can certainly understand ... 12&12 p.96, Step Eleven

Those of us who once felt this way can certainly understand and sympathize.

32.

... once followed by a strenuous effort to ... BB p.64, How It Works

Though our decision was a vital and crucial step, it could have little permanent effect unless at once followed by a strenuous effort to face, and to be rid of, the things in ourselves which had been blocking us.

33.

... once had faith, but have lost it. 12&12 p.28, Step Two

Consider next the plight of those who once had faith, but have lost it.

34.

... once had great self-confidence, but it didn't ... BB p.68, How It Works

Some of us once had great self-confidence, but it didn't fully solve the fear problem, or any other.

35.

... once had the same privilege, I had ... BB p.181, Doctor Bob's Nightmare

I used to get terribly upset when I saw my friends drink and knew I could not, but I schooled myself to believe that though I once had the same privilege, I had abused it so frightfully that it was withdrawn.

36.

... once having formed the habit and found ... BB xxviii(xxvi), The Doctor's Opinion

These allergic types can never safely use alcohol in any form at all; and once having formed the habit and found they cannot break it, once having lost their self-confidence, their reliance upon things human, their problems pile up on them and become astonishingly difficult to solve.

37.

... once having lost their self-confidence, their reliance ... BB xxviii(xxvi), The Doctor's Opinion

38.

Once he started, he had no control ... BB p.32, More About Alcoholism

Once he started, he had no control whatever.

39.

... once he starts to drink. BB p.21, There Is A Solution

He may start off as a moderate drinker; he may or may not become a continuous hard drinker; but at some stage of his drinking career he begins to lose all control of his liquor consumption, once he starts to drink.

40.

... once he takes any alcohol whatever into ... BB p.22, There Is A Solution

We are equally positive that once he takes any alcohol whatever into his system, something happens, both in the bodily and mental sense, which makes it virtually impossible for him to stop.

41.

... once his liquor problem is solved, to ... BB p.118, To Wives

It is the most natural thing in the world, once his liquor problem is solved, to feel that he will now measure up to that cherished vision.

42.

... once I burst into the story of ... 12&12 p.137, Tradition Two

At once I burst into the story of my opportunity.

43.

... once in a while. BB p.146, To Employers

You may need to encourage him to play once in a while.

44.

... once in a while, alcoholics have had ... BB p.27, There Is A Solution

Here and there, once in a while, alcoholics have had what are called vital spiritual experiences.

45.

Once in a while he may tell ... BB p.23, There Is A Solution

Once in a while he may tell the truth.

46.

... once in a while isn't enough. BB p.97, Working With Others

A kindly act once in a while isn't enough.

47.

... once in my life have I had ... BB p.172, Doctor Bob's Nightmare

Never once in my life have I had a headache, which fact leads me to believe that I was an alcoholic almost from the start.

48.

... once it became apparent that only by ... 12&12 p.150, Tradition Five

But once these men had hit upon a cure, once it became apparent that only by their united effort could this be accomplished, then all of them would feel bound to devote themselves solely to the relief of cancer.

49.

... once just as hopeless as Bill. BB p.17, There Is A Solution

We, of Alcoholics Anonymous, know thousands of men and women who were once just as hopeless as Bill.

50.

... once like number two he became worse. BB p.109, To Wives

Though once like number two he became worse.

51.

... once made a wise remark to the ... BB p.124, The Family Afterward

Henry Ford once made a wise remark to the effect that experience is the thing of supreme value in life.

52.

... once; maybe he'll learn a lesson!" 12&12 p.144, Tradition Three

Let him try it by himself for once; maybe he'll learn a lesson!"

53.

... once more. BB p.7, Bill's Story

But it was not, for the frightful day came when I drank once more.

54.

... once more. BB p.105, To Wives

Some of us veered from extreme to extreme, ever hoping that one day our loved ones would be themselves once more.

55.

... once more. BB p.107, To Wives

For a while they would be their old sweet selves, only to dash the new structure of affection to pieces once more.

56.

... once more. BB p.113, To Wives

Sooner or later, you are likely to find him reading the book once more.

57.

... once more. BB p.127, The Family Afterward

They should be thankful he is sober and able to be of this world once more.

58.

... once more. BB p.153, A Vision For You

It may seem incredible that these men are to become happy, respected, and useful once more.

59.

... once more how he can drink moderately ... BB p.109, To Wives

But when he gets over the spree, he begins to think once more how he can drink moderately next time.

60.

... once more just what our deeper objectives ... 12&12 p.76, Step Seven

As we approach the actual taking of Step Seven, it might be well if we A.A.'s inquire once more just what our deeper objectives are.

61.

... once more left alone and afraid. 12&12 p.43, Step Four

In time all his protectors either flee or die, and he is once more left alone and afraid.

62.

Once more: The alcoholic at certain times ... BB p.43, More About Alcoholism

Once more: The alcoholic at certain times has no effective mental defense against the first drink.

63.

Once more we read our prayer, and ... 12&12 p.101, Step Eleven

Once more we read our prayer, and again try to see what its inner essence is.

64.

... once over the first two or three ... 12&12 p.47, Step Four

But once over the first two or three high hurdles, the course ahead began to look easier.

65.

... once owned. BB p.36, More About Alcoholism

I remember I felt irritated that I had to be a salesman for a concern I once owned.

66.

... once remarked that pain was the touchstone ... 12&12 p.93, Step Ten

Someone who knew what he was talking about once remarked that pain was the touchstone of all spiritual progress.

67.

... once sought to be one in a ... 12&12 p.53, Step Four

We have not once sought to be one in a family, to be a friend among friends, to be a worker among workers, to be a useful member of society.

68.

... once struggled and prayed for individual recovery, ... 12&12 p.130, Tradition One

As we had once struggled and prayed for individual recovery, just so earnestly did we commence to quest for the principles through which A.A. itself might survive.

69.

... once that A.A. has an irresistible strength ... 12&12 p.130, Tradition One

They see liberty verging on license, yet they recognize at once that A.A. has an irresistible strength of purpose and action.

70.

... once that he has barely scratched a ... BB p.129, The Family Afterward

He may not see at once that he has barely scratched a limitless lode which will pay dividends only if he mines it for the rest of his life and insists on giving away the entire product.

71.

... once that he must redouble his spiritual ... BB p.120, To Wives

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

72.

Once the card was unfolded, a single ... 12&12 p.149, Tradition Four

Once the card was unfolded, a single pungent sentence leaped to the eye: "Don't take yourself too damn seriously."

73.

... once the guiding forces of the lives ... BB p.27, There Is A Solution

Ideas, emotions, and attitudes which were once the guiding forces of the lives of these men are suddenly cast to one side, and a completely new set of conceptions and motives begin to dominate them.

74.

... once these men had hit upon a ... 12&12 p.150, Tradition Five

75.

... once think of a few people who ... 12&12 p.84, Step Nine

We shall at once think of a few people who know all about our drinking, and who have been most affected by it.

76.

Once this healthy practice has become grooved, ... 12&12 p.89, Step Ten

Once this healthy practice has become grooved, it will be so interesting and profitable that the time it takes won't be missed.

77.

Once this malady has a real hold, ... BB p.23, There Is A Solution

Once this malady has a real hold, they are a baffled lot.

78.

Once this stark fact is accepted, our ... 12&12 p.21, Step One

Once this stark fact is accepted, our bankruptcy as going human concerns is complete.

79.

... once thought as we did. 12&12 p.30, Step Two

We found many in A.A. who once thought as we did.

80.

... once to remove them. BB p.84, Into Action

When these crop up, we ask God at once to remove them.

81.

... once to the country, my wife to ... BB p.3, Bill's Story

We went at once to the country, my wife to applaud while I started out to overtake Walter Hagen.

82.

Once unlocked by willingness, the door opens ... 12&12 p.34, Step Three

Once unlocked by willingness, the door opens almost of itself, and looking through it, we shall see a pathway beside which is an inscription.

83.

... once was just that for many of ... BB p.133, The Family Afterward

We cannot subscribe to the belief that this life is a vale of tears, though it once was just that for many of us.

84.

... once, we commence to outgrow fear. BB p.68, How It Works

At once, we commence to outgrow fear.

85.

Once we have a complete willingness to ... 12&12 p.49, Step Four

Once we have a complete willingness to take inventory, and exert ourselves to do the job thoroughly, a wonderful light falls upon this foggy scene.

86.

Once we have come into agreement with ... 12&12 p.40, Step Three

Once we have come into agreement with these ideas, it is really easy to begin the practice of Step Three.

87.

Once we have placed the key of ... 12&12 p.35, Step Three

Once we have placed the key of willingness in the lock and have the door ever so slightly open, we find that we can always open it some more.

88.

Once we have taken this step, withholding ... BB p.75, Into Action

Once we have taken this step, withholding nothing, we are delighted.

89.

... once were in this class are now ... BB p.28, There Is A Solution

Many who once were in this class are now among our members.

90.

... once worked on a farm for a ... BB p.3, Bill's Story

I had had some success at speculation, so we had a little money, but we once worked on a farm for a month to avoid drawing on our small capital.

91.

... once, you will have to decide whether ... BB p.147, To Employers

In case he does stumble, even once, you will have to decide whether to let him go.

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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