"number" in the Big Book

Here are some of the methods we have tried: Drinking beer only, limiting the number of drinks, never drinking alone, never drinking in the morning, drinking only at home, never having it in the house, never drinking during business hours, drinking only at parties, switching from scotch to brandy, drinking only natural wines, agreeing to resign if ever drunk on the job, taking a trip, not taking a trip, swearing off forever (with and without a solemn oath), taking more physical exercise, reading inspirational books, going to health farms and sanitariums, accepting voluntary commitment to asylums—we could increase the list ad infinitum.

Resentment is the “number one’’ offender.

Maybe we are divorced, and have remarried but haven’t kept up the alimony to number one.

Of those who keep on, a good number will become true alcoholics after a while.

Three: This husband has gone much further than husband number two.

Though once like number two

Let’s now go back to husband number one.

Suppose, however, that your husband fits the description of number two.

The same principles which apply to husband number one should be practiced.

If you have a number three husband, you may be in luck.

Your man has probably been trying to conceal a number of scrapes, perhaps pretty messy ones.

Here is a brief account: Years ago, in 1935, one of our number made a journey to a certain western city.

The use of spiritual principles in * This refers to Bill’s and Dr. Bob’s first visit to A.A. Number Three.

Now, this house will hardly accommodate its weekly visitors, for they number sixty or eighty as a rule.

Being a large place, we think that some day its Fellowship will number many hundreds.* But life among Alcoholics Anonymous is more than attending gatherings and visiting hospitals.

Six years ago one of our number was a patient there.