Understanding AA Chips And How Do They Work
Congratulations on your resolution to quit alcohol! You’ve just made one of the most critical health and wellness decisions of your life. But as you’ll soon discover, the journey to full sobriety is fraught with immense challenges. You’ll contend with seemingly insurmountable obstacles, some caused by self-sabotaging thoughts constantly creeping into your subconscious mind and others triggered by alcohol cues you encounter during your day-to-day endeavors. Without strong willpower, it may only be a matter of time before you relapse to your former drinking ways. However, you don’t have to let these fears ahead dampen your resolve to attain a 100% alcohol-free lifestyle. Not when you can find inspiration from multiple sources, including AA chips. This article looks at AA chips and their significance for recovering addicts.
Introducing AA Chips
AA chips are special tokens given to recovering alcoholics to help them celebrate various milestones on their road to full sobriety. AA stands for Alcoholics Anonymous - the global peer-led community focused on alcohol recovery. It's one of the two most conspicuous addiction recovery organizations, alongside Narcotics Anonymous (NA).
Most AA chips are available as coins or medallions. They range in color, depending on the duration the recipient has abstained from alcohol. It’s also worth noting that while originally attributed exclusively to Alcoholics Anonymous, AA chips are no longer unique to the alcohol recovery organization. You can receive these tokens as a tribute to achievements earned in any alcohol recovery program.
How Might AA Coins Aid Your Recovery Journey?
1. Serve As a Physical Reminder of Your Sobriety Commitment
There's a fine line between making a promise and breaking it. While the decision to quit alcohol may sound exciting enough, the ensuing battles with withdrawal symptoms and drug cues can easily instigate a relapse.
Alcoholics Anonymous chips stand out as a striking symbol of your commitment to give up your former drinking habits.
Granted, AA medallions may not prevent alcohol urges from sneaking into your thought process from time to time. But they can make a significant difference in combating those compulsions. Glancing at an AA coin reminds you of how terrible your alcoholic past was. More importantly, it prompts you of your solemn commitment to remain sober.
2. Offer Proof of Progress
As already hinted, giving up alcohol is one thing, but maintaining sobriety is a whole new ball game. The constant battles with relapse urges may have you doubt whether you’re making any significant headway on the path to recovery. But that’s another area where Alcoholics Anonymous medallions can come in quite handy. AA chips are tangible proof of progress. There are coins for different periods you’ve stayed clean, from twenty-four hours to one year and even longer. Each coin stimulates a desire for higher achievements, keeping you grounded on the course of recovery.
3. A Way to Wear Your New Lifestyle With Pride
You’ve been courting a partner who has hinted at taking the relationship to the next level. They only require tangible evidence of progress with your drinking problem. Or perhaps you’ve received countless show-cause letters in your workplace on account of your drinking habits.
In such scenarios, there can never be a more ingenious way to regain the trust of your loved ones or employer than to show up with an AA pendant hanging conspicuously on your neck.
Alcoholics Anonymous chips let you broadcast your new lifestyle with pride. The medallions can provide a significant boost to your confidence and self-esteem, fostering free interactions with your peers. AA chips may transform your public image, especially if your drinking problem has become an open secret.
4. Provide a Medium to Inspire Others
If you’ve managed to unchain yourself from the constraints of alcoholism, the least you can do is spread the good news to those still hooked to the bottle. Fortunately, that doesn’t necessarily require joining local action groups or even global sobriety fellowships like Alcoholics Anonymous itself. You can spread the message of hope and cheer by simply wearing AA chips in public. Many people who interact with your AA medallions will instantly appreciate your achievements. Besides, some may feel sufficiently challenged to quit alcohol. Wearing AA chips can have far-reaching implications, creating a ripple effect of wellness and positivity.
AA Chips for Different Milestones
Alcoholics Anonymous medallions come in different colors, depending on the milestone celebrated. Below are the common AA chip colors and the abstinence periods they represent;
- Siler - 24 hours
- Red - 30 days/1 month
- Gold - 2 months
- Green - 3 months
- Purple - 4 months
- Pink - 5 months
- Dark Blue - 6 months
- Copper - 7 months
- Red - 8 months
- Purple - 9 months
- Gold - 10 months
- Green - 11 months
- Bronze - 1 year
AA medallions issued after a year of sobriety are typically bronze-colored.
The Bottom Line
AA chips serve as a constant reminder of a solemn commitment to abstain from alcohol. These medallions also enable recipients to celebrate every achievement in their sobriety journey. However, insignificant such milestones may appear. To make the most of AA coins, display them in fairly accessible areas where you can quickly turn to them for inspiration. That could be on your trophy cabinet or office table. Better yet, you could hang the chips on a necklace and wear them wherever you go. Most importantly, remember to complement recovering coins with mindfulness meditation, exercise, and other healthy habits known to fend off alcohol urges.