The Classic AA Question
How Many "Musts" Are in the Big Book?
67
occurrences of the word "must" in the first 164 pages
One of the most commonly asked questions in AA meetings and sponsorship is: "How many musts are there in the Big Book?" The program of Alcoholics Anonymous is often described as a program of suggestions — but the Big Book does use the word "must" in specific places. Below is every occurrence, organized by chapter.
By Chapter
Ch. 1: Bill's Story2
Ch. 2: There Is a Solution3
Ch. 3: More About Alcoholism2
Ch. 4: We Agnostics1
Ch. 5: How It Works5
Ch. 6: Into Action15
Ch. 7: Working with Others15
Ch. 8: To Wives8
Ch. 9: The Family Afterward5
Ch. 10: To Employers5
Ch. 11: A Vision for You6
Chapter 1: Bill's Story(2 musts)
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.
Page 10
I must turn in all things to the Father of Light who presides over us all.
Page 14
Chapter 2: There Is a Solution(3 musts)
"His will power must be weak."
Page 20
He has a positive genius for getting tight at exactly the wrong moment, particularly when some important decision must be made or engagement kept.
Page 21
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."
Page 29
Chapter 3: More About Alcoholism(2 musts)
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.
Page 33
His defense must come from a Higher Power.
Page 43
Chapter 4: We Agnostics(1 must)
But after a while we had to face the fact that we must find a spiritual basis of life — or else.
Page 44
Chapter 5: How It Works(5 musts)
Above everything, we alcoholics must be rid of this selfishness.
Page 62
We must, or it kills us!
Page 62
We saw that these resentments must be mastered, but how?
Page 66
Whatever our ideal turns out to be, we must be willing to grow toward it.
Page 69
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.
Page 69
Chapter 6: Into Action(15 musts)
We must be entirely honest with somebody if we expect to live long or happily in this world.
Page 73
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.
Page 74
The rule is we must be hard on ourself, but always considerate of others.
Page 74
But we must not use this as a mere excuse to postpone.
Page 75
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.
Page 78
We must not shrink at anything.
Page 79
If we have obtained permission, have consulted with others, asked God to help and the drastic step is indicated we must not shrink.
Page 80
In fairness we must say that she may understand, but what are we going to do about a thing like that?
Page 81
Certainly he must keep sober, for there will be no home if he doesn't.
Page 82
We must take the lead.
Page 83
We must remember that ten or twenty years of drunkenness would make a skeptic out of anyone.
Page 83
Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God's will into all of our activities.
Page 85
These are thoughts which must go with us constantly.
Page 85
But we must go further and that means more action.
Page 85
But we must be careful not to drift into worry, remorse or morbid reflection, for that would diminish our usefulness to others.
Page 86
Chapter 7: Working with Others(15 musts)
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.
Page 89
The family must decide these things.
Page 90
To be vital, faith must be accompanied by self sacrifice and unselfish, constructive action.
Page 93
After doing that, he must decide for himself whether he wants to go on.
Page 95
If he is to find God, the desire must come from within.
Page 95
In many homes this is a difficult thing to do, but it must be done if any results are to be expected.
Page 98
But we must try to repair the damage immediately lest we pay the penalty by a spree.
Page 99
If their old relationship is to be resumed it must be on a better basis, since the former did not work.
Page 99
Both you and the new man must walk day by day in the path of spiritual progress.
Page 100
People have said we must not go where liquor is served;
Page 100
we must not have it in our homes;
Page 101
we must shun friends who drink;
Page 101
we must avoid moving pictures which show drinking scenes;
Page 101
we must not go into bars;
Page 101
our friends must hide their bottles if we go to their houses; we mustn't think or be reminded about alcohol at all.
Page 101
Chapter 8: To Wives(8 musts)
Our next thought is that you should never tell him what he must do about his drinking.
Page 111
Wait until repeated stumbling convinces him he must act, for the more you hurry him the longer his recovery may be delayed.
Page 113
But sometimes you must start life anew.
Page 114
But you must be on guard not to embarrass or harm your husband.
Page 115
You will no longer be self-conscious or feel that you must apologize as though your husband were a weak character.
Page 115
Often you must carry the burden of avoiding them or keeping them under control.
Page 117
Yet you must not expect too much.
Page 118
Your husband will see at once that he must redouble his spiritual activities if he expects to survive.
Page 120
Chapter 9: The Family Afterward(5 musts)
The family must realize that dad, though marvelously improved, is still convalescing.
Page 127
But he must see the danger of over-concentration on financial success.
Page 127
The man who is getting over alcoholism must remember he did much to make them so.
Page 127
That is where our fellow travelers are, and that is where our work must be done.
Page 130
The others must be convinced of his new status beyond the shadow of a doubt.
Page 135
Chapter 10: To Employers(5 musts)
State that you know about his drinking, and that it must stop.
Page 141
He should understand that he must undergo a change of heart.
Page 143
When the man is presented with this volume it is best that no one tell him he must abide by its suggestions.
Page 144
The man must decide for himself.
Page 144
For he knows he must be honest if he would live at all.
Page 146
Chapter 11: A Vision for You(6 musts)
I know I must get along without liquor, but how can I?
Page 152
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.
Page 153
There must be many such in this town.
Page 154
Both saw that they must keep spiritually active.
Page 156
Though they knew they must help other alcoholics if they would remain sober, that motive became secondary.
Page 159
You must remember that your real reliance is always upon Him.
Page 164
A note on accuracy: This list was compiled by extracting text from the official chapter PDFs hosted at aa.org (4th Edition) and searching for every occurrence of the word "must" (including "mustn't"). If you spot a missing or incorrect entry, we'd love to hear from you. The whole point of this project is getting the answer right.