THOUGH 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)

thoroughness

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thou

THOUGH occurs 114 times (Definition from Merriam-Webster Online)

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... though, a few conservative dissenters among the ... 12&12 p.148, Tradition Four

There were, though, a few conservative dissenters among the alcoholics.

... though a great wall had been built ... BB p.107, To Wives

Sometimes they were so inaccessible that it seemed as though a great wall had been built around them.

Though a robust man at retirement, he ... BB p.33, More About Alcoholism

Though a robust man at retirement, he went to pieces quickly and was dead within four years.

Though a situation had not been entirely ... BB p.67, How It Works

Though a situation had not been entirely our fault, we tried to disregard the other person involved entirely.

... (though addressed only to wives) indicate the ... BB p.121, To Wives (Note)

The foregoing pages (though addressed only to wives) indicate the problems such people may face.

... though adult in years we were still ... 12&12 p.115, Step Twelve

We had failed to see that though adult in years we were still behaving childishly, trying to turn everybody -- friends, wives, husbands, even the world itself -- into protective parents.

Though an alcoholic does not respond, there ... BB p.97, Working With Others

Though an alcoholic does not respond, there is no reason why you should neglect his family.

... though between binges we'd sometimes go to ... 12&12 p.120, Step Twelve

In our drinking time, we acted as if the money supply was inexhaustible, though between binges we'd sometimes go to the other extreme and become almost miserly.

... though certainly selfish and foolish, I had ... BB p.7, Bill's Story

Best of all, I met a kind doctor who explained that though certainly selfish and foolish, I had been seriously ill, bodily and mentally.

10.

... though designed for A.A.'s membership, will give ... 12&12 p.16, Foreword

The second section of this volume, though designed for A.A.'s membership, will give such inquirers an inside view of A.A. never before possible.

11.

... though drinking foolishly and heavily at the ... BB p.39, More About Alcoholism

That may be true of certain nonalcoholic people who, though drinking foolishly and heavily at the present time, are able to stop or moderate, because their brains and bodies have not been damaged as ours were.

12.

... though each side may have some justification. BB p.126, The Family Afterward

Both father and the family are mistaken, though each side may have some justification.

13.

... though entirely sensible, was pretty drastic. BB p.42, More About Alcoholism

But the program of action, though entirely sensible, was pretty drastic.

14.

Though ex-drinkers, we still thought we had ... 12&12 p.184, Tradition Twelve

Though ex-drinkers, we still thought we had to hide from public distrust and contempt.

15.

Though experience had made him skeptical, he ... BB p.26, There Is A Solution

Though experience had made him skeptical, he finished his treatment with unusual confidence.

16.

... though formerly able and respected, was then ... BB p.155, A Vision For You

His call to the clergyman led him presently to a certain resident of the town, who, though formerly able and respected, was then nearing the nadir of alcoholic despair.

17.

... though frequent, are by no means the ... BB p.567(569), Appendix II, Spiritual Experience

Among our rapidly growing membership of thousands of alcoholics such transformations, though frequent, are by no means the rule.

18.

... though fully prepared, would turn and walk ... BB p.173, Doctor Bob's Nightmare

Many mornings I have gone to classes, and even though fully prepared, would turn and walk back to the fraternity house because of my jitters, not daring to enter the classroom for fear of making a scene should I be called on for recitation.

19.

... though God has wrought miracles among us, ... BB p.133, The Family Afterward

Try to remember that though God has wrought miracles among us, we should never belittle a good doctor or psychiatrist.

20.

... though he's been in here eight times ... BB p.156, A Vision For You

But he's a grand chap when he's sober, though he's been in here eight times in the last six months.

21.

... though he continues to drink, the family ... BB p.97, Working With Others

And even though he continues to drink, the family will find life more bearable.

22.

Though he could not accept all the ... BB xvi, Foreword to Second Edition

Display entire Foreword to Second Edition

Though he could not accept all the tenets of the Oxford Groups, he was convinced of the need for moral inventory, confession of personality defects, restitution to those harmed, helpfulness to others, and the necessity of belief in and dependence upon God.

23.

... though he does not go for this ... BB p.144, To Employers

That won't hurt him a bit, even though he does not go for this remedy.

24.

... though he had been a competent businessman ... BB xxv(xxiii), The Doctor's Opinion

In late 1934 I attended a patient who, though he had been a competent businessman of good earning capacity, was an alcoholic of a type I had come to regard as hopeless.

25.

... though he had pneumonia. BB p.108, To Wives

Treat him, when you can, as though he had pneumonia.

26.

Though he is now a most effective ... BB p.135, The Family Afterward

Though he is now a most effective member of Alcoholics Anonymous, he still smokes and drinks coffee, but neither his wife nor anyone else stands in judgment.

27.

... though he is sober, that after all, ... 12&12 p.39, Step Three

Of course the sponsor points out that our friend's life is still unmanageable even though he is sober, that after all, only a bare start on A.A.'s program has been made.

28.

... though he lived in hell. BB p.56, We Agnostics

While pondering the answer he felt as though he lived in hell.

29.

... though he may differ with them on ... BB p.131, The Family Afterward

Being possessed of a spiritual experience, the alcoholic will find he has much in common with these people, though he may differ with them on many matters.

30.

... though he usually doesn't think so. BB p.62, How It Works

They arise out of ourselves, and the alcoholic is an extreme example of self-will run riot, though he usually doesn't think so.

31.

... though he was brilliant, alert, and one ... BB p.137, To Employers

I had been obliged to discharge him for drinking, though he was brilliant, alert, and one of the best organizers I have ever known.

32.

... though, his assumed authority to run everything ... 12&12 p.133, Tradition Two

Very soon, though, his assumed authority to run everything begins to be shared with the first alcoholics he has helped.

33.

Though his family be at fault in ... BB p.98, Working With Others

Though his family be at fault in many respects, he should not be concerned about that.

34.

... though I at no time sensed that ... BB p.178, Doctor Bob's Nightmare

My wife became deeply interested, and it was her interest that sustained mine, though I at no time sensed that it might be an answer to my liquor problem.

35.

... though I did raise a defense, it ... BB p.42, More About Alcoholism

They had said that though I did raise a defense, it would one day give way before some trivial reason for having a drink.

36.

... though I felt very badly, I said, ... BB p.179, Doctor Bob's Nightmare

Wishing to be polite, though I felt very badly, I said, "Let's make the call," and extracted from my wife a promise that we would not stay over fifteen minutes.

37.

Though I had been only a nominal ... BB p.42, More About Alcoholism

Though I had been only a nominal churchman, their proposals were not, intellectually, hard to swallow.

38.

... though I once had the same privilege, ... 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.

39.

... though I was very sincere when I ... BB p.177, Doctor Bob's Nightmare

I used to promise my wife, my friends, and my children that I would drink no more -- promises which seldom kept me sober even through the day, though I was very sincere when I made them.

40.

... though if honestly and humbly made, an ... 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.

41.

Though in some cases we cannot make ... 12&12 p.79, Step Eight

Though in some cases we cannot make restitution at all, and in some cases action ought to be deferred, we should nevertheless make an accurate and really exhaustive survey of our past life as it has affected other people.

42.

... though, is our fear and reluctance to ... 12&12 p.55, Step Five

So intense, though, is our fear and reluctance to do this, that many A.A.'s at first try to bypass Step Five.

43.

... though it emanate from our best minds. BB p.55, We Agnostics

Neither is reason, as most of us use it, entirely dependable, though it emanate from our best minds.

44.

Though it is entirely separate from Alcoholics ... BB p.121, To Wives (Note)

Though it is entirely separate from Alcoholics Anonymous, it uses the general principles of the A.A. program as a guide for husbands, wives, relatives, friends and others close to alcoholics.

45.

Though it is infinitely better that he ... BB p.120, To Wives

Though it is infinitely better that he have no relapse at all, as has been true with many of our men, it is by no means a bad thing in some cases.

46.

... though it often remains strong in other ... 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.

47.

... though it once was just that for ... 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.

48.

... though it was impossible for any of ... BB p.46, We Agnostics

We found that as soon as we were able to lay aside prejudice and express even a willingness to believe in a Power greater than ourselves, we commenced to get results, even though it was impossible for any of us to fully define or comprehend that Power, which is God.

49.

Though it was not our intention to ... 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.

50.

... though lying upon a sunlit beach, let ... 12&12 p.100, Step Eleven

As though lying upon a sunlit beach, let us relax and breathe deeply of the spiritual atmosphere with which the grace of this prayer surrounds us.

51.

... though marvelously improved, is still convalescing. BB p.127, The Family Afterward

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

52.

Though my drinking was not yet continuous, ... BB p.2, Bill's Story

Though my drinking was not yet continuous, it disturbed my wife.

53.

... though no one realized it at the ... BB xvii, Foreword to Second Edition

When the broker returned to New York in the fall of 1935, the first A.A. group had actually been formed, though no one realized it at the time.

54.

Though none of these principles had the ... BB xix, Foreword to Second Edition

Though none of these principles had the force of rules or laws, they had become so widely accepted by 1950 that they were confirmed by our first International Conference held at Cleveland.

55.

Though not a religious person, I have ... BB p.43, More About Alcoholism

Though not a religious person, I have profound respect for the spiritual approach in such cases as yours.

56.

Though not in the strict letter of ... 12&12 p.186, Tradition Twelve

Though not in the strict letter of anonymity, such communications were well within its spirit.

57.

Though now recognized, our defects were still ... 12&12 p.58, Step Five

Though now recognized, our defects were still there.

58.

Though old buildings will eventually be replaced ... BB p.123, The Family Afterward

Though old buildings will eventually be replaced by finer ones, the new structures will take years to complete.

59.

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

Though once like number two he became worse.

60.

Though our decision was a vital and ... 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.

61.

... though our motives are good. BB p.60, How It Works

On that basis we are almost always in collision with something or somebody, even though our motives are good.

62.

... though perhaps he came to scoff, he ... BB xxxii(xxx), The Doctor's Opinion

I earnestly advise every alcoholic to read this book through, and though perhaps he came to scoff, he may remain to pray.

63.

... though perhaps needlessly. BB p.112, To Wives

Tell him you have been worried, though perhaps needlessly.

64.

... though religious people were right after all. BB p.11, Bill's Story

It began to look as though religious people were right after all.

65.

Though self-will may slam it shut again, ... 12&12 p.35, Step Three

Though self-will may slam it shut again, as it frequently does, it will always respond the moment we again pick up the key of willingness.

66.

... though she thought she saw something different ... BB p.158, A Vision For You

His wife came, scarcely daring to be hopeful, though she thought she saw something different about her husband already.

67.

... though sober nowadays, don't we often try ... 12&12 p.100, Step Eleven

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

68.

... though some ideas upon which success finally ... 12&12 p.16, Foreword

The basic principles of A.A., as they are known today, were borrowed mainly from the fields of religion and medicine, though some ideas upon which success finally depended were the result of noting the behavior and needs of the Fellowship itself.

69.

Though some of his manifestations are alarming ... BB p.129, The Family Afterward

Though some of his manifestations are alarming and disagreeable, we think dad will be on a firmer foundation than the man who is placing business or professional success ahead of spiritual development.

70.

Though some of us resisted, we found ... BB p.48, We Agnostics

Though some of us resisted, we found no great difficulty in casting aside such feelings.

71.

... though such disclosures were painful and humiliating. 12&12 p.47, Step Four

First of all, we had to admit that we had many of these defects, even though such disclosures were painful and humiliating.

72.

Though the aggregate of recoveries resulting from ... 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.

73.

... though the alcoholics in A.A. had suddenly ... 12&12 p.177, Tradition Ten

Maybe this sounds as though the alcoholics in A.A. had suddenly gone peaceable, and become one great big happy family.

74.

... though, the chances are that he has ... 12&12 p.39, Step Three

By now, though, the chances are that he has become convinced that he has more problems than alcohol, and that some of these refuse to be solved by all the sheer personal determination and courage he can muster.

75.

... though, the chances are that you will ... 12&12 p.61, Step Five

Happily, though, the chances are that you will be in for a very pleasant surprise.

76.

... though the cocktails were ginger ale. BB p.41, More About Alcoholism

I had commenced to drink as carelessly as though the cocktails were ginger ale.

77.

Though the earning power of most A.A.'s ... 12&12 p.114, Step Twelve

Though the earning power of most A.A.'s is relatively high, we have some members who never seem to get on their feet moneywise, and still others who encounter heavy financial reverses.

78.

Though the essays which follow were written ... 12&12 p.15, Foreword

Though the essays which follow were written mainly for members, it is thought by many of A.A.'s friends that these pieces might arouse interest and find application outside A.A. itself.

79.

Though the family does not fully agree ... BB p.129, The Family Afterward

Though the family does not fully agree with dad's spiritual activities, they should let him have his head.

80.

Though the family has no religious connections, ... BB p.131, The Family Afterward

Though the family has no religious connections, they may wish to make contact with or take membership in a religious body.

81.

... though the gates of hell had closed ... BB p.27, There Is A Solution

Our friend felt as though the gates of hell had closed on him with a clang.

82.

... though the great clean wind of a ... BB p.14, Bill's Story

I felt lifted up, as though the great clean wind of a mountain top blew through and through.

83.

... though the harm done others has not ... 12&12 p.79, Step Eight

In many instances we shall find that though the harm done others has not been great, the emotional harm we have done ourselves has.

84.

... though the head of the house still ... BB p.130, The Family Afterward

They can hardly fail to approve these simple principles, though the head of the house still fails somewhat in practicing them.

85.

Though there is no way of proving ... BB p.32, More About Alcoholism

Though there is no way of proving it, we believe that early in our drinking careers most of us could have stopped drinking.

86.

Though there may be justifiable exceptions, and ... 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.

87.

Though they knew they must help other ... BB p.159, A Vision For You

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

88.

... though they were still children, we had ... 12&12 p.115, Step Twelve

Where people had temporarily let us run their lives as though they were still children, we had felt very happy and secure ourselves.

89.

Though Tradition Nine at first sight seems ... 12&12 p.175, Tradition Nine

Though Tradition Nine at first sight seems to deal with a purely practical matter, in its actual operation it discloses a society without organization, animated only by the spirit of service -- a true fellowship.

90.

... though, tripped over a very different snag. 12&12 p.79, Step Eight

Some of us, though, tripped over a very different snag.

91.

... though we cooperate widely with the men ... BB xx, Foreword to Second Edition

Neither does A.A. take any particular medical point of view, though we cooperate widely with the men of medicine as well as with the men of religion.

92.

Though we did not like their symptoms ... BB p.67, How It Works

Though we did not like their symptoms and the way these disturbed us, they, like ourselves, were sick too.

93.

... though we had been placed in a ... BB p.85, Into Action

We feel as though we had been placed in a position of neutrality -- safe and protected.

94.

... though we had been surrounded by people ... 12&12 p.116, Step Twelve

For alcoholism had been a lonely business, even though we had been surrounded by people who loved us.

95.

... though, we had met up with some ... 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.

96.

... though we had no resentment in connection ... BB p.68, How It Works

We put them on paper, even though we had no resentment in connection with them.

97.

Though we have no religious connection, we ... BB p.74, Into Action

Though we have no religious connection, we may still do well to talk with someone ordained by an established religion.

98.

Though we may at first be startled ... 12&12 p.59, Step Five

Though we may at first be startled to realize that God knows all about us, we are apt to get used to that quite quickly.

99.

... though we may have acquired a better ... BB p.77, Into Action

It may be he has done us more harm than we have done him and, though we may have acquired a better attitude toward him, we are still not too keen about admitting our faults.

100.

... though we were careful to hide this ... 12&12 p.29, Step Two

We used our education to blow ourselves up into prideful balloons, though we were careful to hide this from others.

101.

Though we were sometimes quite unconscious of ... 12&12 p.115, Step Twelve

Though we were sometimes quite unconscious of this, the result always had been the same.

102.

... though we wish to lay down no ... 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.

103.

Though we work out our solution on ... BB xxvi(xxiv), The Doctor's Opinion

Though we work out our solution on the spiritual as well as an altruistic plane, we favor hospitalization for the alcoholic who is very jittery or befogged.

104.

... though we would have liked to. BB p.62, How It Works

Many of us had moral and philosophical convictions galore, but we could not live up to them even though we would have liked to.

105.

Though you are providing him with the ... 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.

106.

... though you be but one man with ... BB p.162, A Vision For You

And so can you, though you be but one man with this book in your hand.

107.

... though you had struck oil. BB p.113, To Wives

Being certain he wants to stop, you can go to him with this volume as joyfully as though you had struck oil.

108.

Though you have talked with the family, ... BB p.91, Working With Others

Though you have talked with the family, leave them out of the first discussion.

109.

Though you may be able to stop ... BB p.34, More About Alcoholism

Though you may be able to stop for a considerable period, you may yet be a potential alcoholic.

110.

... though your husband becomes unbearable and you ... BB p.111, To Wives

Even though your husband becomes unbearable and you have to leave him temporarily, you should, if you can, go without rancor.

111.

... though your husband continues to drink. BB p.111, To Wives

It is possible to have a full and useful life, though your husband continues to drink.

112.

... though your husband were a weak character. 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.

113.

... though your prot�g� may not have entirely ... BB p.92, Working With Others

Even though your prot�g� may not have entirely admitted his condition, he has become very curious to know how you got well.

114.

... though, your relation to him is such ... 12&12 p.61, Step Five

Perhaps, though, your relation to him is such that you would care to reveal only a part of your story.

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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