What Are AA Sobriety Chips?
In Alcoholics Anonymous, chips are given for years of sobriety. Depending on where you live, these AA medallions may be called a different name: sober medallion, AA chips, AA sobriety chips, or AA sobriety tokens, to name a few. For yearly birthdays, they are usually gold brass coins engraved with the year of sobriety in Roman numerals on the front and the serenity prayer on the back.
The chips are given out at Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Al-anon, Adult Children of Alcoholics, and other 12-step program meetings called birthday or celebratory meetings, where members celebrate their years of abstinence from the substance or behavior; most groups keep a small collection of recovery tokens to give away at celebratory meetings.
Why Are 2-Year AA Sobriety Chips Given?
Picking up a brass coin celebrating two years of sobriety engraved on it has significant meaning for recovering alcoholics and addicts. It represents hard work in the program, learning the principles of honesty and cleaning house, growing a connection to a Higher Power, and, above all else, giving hope to the newcomer.
Twenty-four months is a long time. Receiving this sobriety token serves as a daily reminder of the promise you made to claim your sober life and celebrate your recovery birthday. If someone you know has a drinking problem, find a year AA anniversary birthday meeting to attend and take them with you. AA members will be available to talk with them, and they will attend a 12-step meeting, perhaps for the first time. Birthday meetings are full of hope and excitement for newcomers. Usually, many AA sobriety coins are given out, which gives newcomers something to look forward to.
Where to Buy AA Sobriety Chips?
Amazon offers AA medallions with various delivery times and graphic images. You can also use any search engine in your browser to find custom AA coins online for special occasions. Perhaps the best way is to ask at local A.A. meetings.
Sobriety Chip Designs
Different sobriety token online stores offer unique Alcoholics Anonymous coin designs. It’s not likely that an AA meeting will give out these unique sobriety coins, but if you have a friend you want to gift a 2-year token to, here are some design ideas:
- Pink marble gold sobriety chip
- Silver plated recoverychip design
- Beautiful glossy enamel polish chip
- AA medallion camouflage sobriety chip
- AA medallion elegant black gold
- AA crystallized medallions with a bronze finish
These sellers are usually small companies, so pay attention to their handling time and shipping service. We want to ensure that you have a good shopping experience.
A Brief History of The Chips
The first tokens were distributed when Sister Mary Ignatia, who worked at St. Thomas Hospital, gave out a Sacred Heart medallion to people discharged from the alcoholic treatment facilities there and at other places where she worked. The medallion was given on condition that the recipients hand it back to Sister Ignatia before they take their next drink.
The origin of A.A. sobriety chips is uncertain, but they are considered to have been started by Doherty S, who started AA meetings in Indianapolis. Colored AA poker chips originated with the Portland (Maine) group.
What Is Alcoholics Anonymous?
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who come together for one purpose only: to help each other attain (and maintain) sobriety. Two individuals started it with a drinking problem and wanted to get sober. They formed this enormous entity that is now changing lives globally, increasing the number of members.
It is a non-profit organization that is self-run and self-administered by its members. Members organize meetings, both virtual and in-person, where they discuss each other’s struggles and provide support, tips, and encouragement to get and keep sobriety.
Membership for AA is free and attainable by anyone with a drinking problem seeking to change their ways. That’s it; there are no other prerequisites to joining them!
Conclusion
No matter how many weeks, months, or years of recovery we have behind us, the one constant cause for celebration is that we have been sober just for today. Every day we have been sober, and every day we will be sober is a victory, but the best victory is not in sobriety coins but in going without a drink just for today.