"reason" in the Big Book

Moderate drinkers have little trouble in giving up liquor entirely if they have good reason for it.

If a sufficiently strong reason—ill health, falling in love, change of environment, or the warning of a doctor—becomes operative, this man can also stop or moderate, although he may find it difficult and troublesome and may even need medical attention.

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

We have no reason to doubt it.

When many hundreds of people are able to say that the consciousness of the Presence of God is today the most important fact of their lives, they present a powerful reason why one should have faith.

Almost everyone knows the reason.

It is not by chance we were given the power to reason, to examine the evidence of our senses, and to draw conclusions.

Some of us had already walked far over the Bridge of Reason toward the desired shore of faith.

We were grateful that Reason had brought us so far.

Perhaps we had been leaning too heavily on Reason that last mile and we did not like to lose our support.

Yes, we had been faithful, abjectly faithful to the God of Reason.

How much did these feelings, these loves, these worships, have to do with pure reason?

Were nothing left but pure reason, it wouldn’t be life.

Hence, we saw that reason isn’t everything.

Neither is reason, as most of us use it, entirely dependable, Alco_9781893007161_6p_01_r6.qxd 8/13/07 10:55 AM Page 55

The best reason first: If we skip this vital step, we may not overcome drinking.

We think the reason is that they never completed their housecleaning.

And there may be a valid reason for postponement in some cases.

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

In some cases the wife will never come back for one reason or another.

So our rule is not to avoid a place where there is drinking, if we have a legitimate reason for being there.

Therefore, ask yourself on each occasion, “Have I any good social, business, or personal reason for going to this place?

Unless the reason is understood, there may be an emotional upset.

If your decision is yes, whether the reason be humanitarian or business or both, then the following suggestions may be helpful.

So, for one reason or another, they cover these men, hoping matters will take a turn for the better.

He will have no further reason for covering up an alcoholic employee.