AA chip colors signify the recovery milestones reached by aa members , from 24 hours to multiple years and represent great milestones in anyone’s sobriety journey. The following is important information about what each AA chip color means, including the red, white, black, orange, green, blue, purple, and silver chip colors. All these tokens symbolize the ultimate value of the AA community to its members and as mementos of the struggle to overcome the dependence on alcohol.
Whether you’re new to AA, supporting a loved one, or looking for meaningful aa medallions and gifts, this guide explains every chip color, its significance, and how these tokens inspire continued sobriety.
AA Chips Color Guide
AA chip colors are standardized sobriety tokens given to members of Alcoholics Anonymous to mark specific periods of continuous sobriety.
These circular chips, typically made of plastic or metal, come in different colors representing various sobriety milestones. The tokens are given for specific lengths of time, ranging from the first 24 hours to multiple years on the recovery journey.
AA sobriety coins serve multiple purposes in the recovery process. They provide tangible recognition of achievement, creating motivation to reach the next milestone. They offer something physical to hold during moments of temptation, such as sobriety coins serving as a reminder of progress made. Many people carry their chips in an aa chip holder as a daily reminder of their commitment to sobriety.
The History of Alcoholics Anonymous, AA Members, and AA Chips
The tradition of AA chips began in the 1940s, though the exact origin remains somewhat debated within AA history.
The practice evolved over the following decades. Different groups and regions developed their own chip systems and color schemes. By the 1970s and 1980s, the color-coded chip system we recognize today became more standardized across AA groups nationwide.
The chips gained popularity because they addressed a fundamental human need for recognition and achievement markers. Recovering alcoholics found that these small tokens provided motivation during difficult moments and celebrated victories that might otherwise go unnoticed by those outside the recovery community.
Today, na chips (Narcotics Anonymous) and other recovery programs have adopted similar systems, recognizing the power of these simple tokens. The tradition continues to evolve while maintaining its core purpose: acknowledging progress and encouraging continued commitment to sobriety.
The AA Chip System and Their Meanings
Understanding what AA chip colors mean helps you recognize the significance of each milestone. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the standard color progression.
The White Chip (or Surrender Chip)
The white chip represents the beginning of the recovery journey and the decision to stop drinking, while the sobriety green chip marks the next significant milestone .
Significance: The white chip, also known as the surrender chip or desire chip, represents 24 hours of sobriety or a willingness to start recovery. It symbolizes surrender to the reality of alcoholism and the willingness to accept help.
When It’s Given: White chips are available to anyone, at any aa meetings, whether it’s their first time coming in or they’re coming off a relapse. There’s no shame in taking several white chips, as each signifies renewed dedication.
What It Represents: The color white represents new beginnings, a blank slate and pure intentions to start recovery. Many people consider it the most important chip because it marks that critical initial step: acknowledging powerlessness over alcohol and making a commitment to seek help.
24-Hour Bronze Chip
The 24-hour chip celebrates the completion of one full day of sobriety.
Significance: This chip recognizes the struggle to get through that first 24 hours without drinking. In early recovery, 24 hours can feel like an eternity for someone attempting sobriety.
Color Variation: The 24-hour chip may be bronze, silver, or sometimes another color depending on the group. Colors vary by region and individual AA groups.
What It Represents: The message is simple but powerful: take recovery one day at a time. This chip reinforces AA’s fundamental principle that sobriety is achieved by focusing on today rather than worrying about forever.
The 24-hour chip reminds members that every person in recovery, regardless of how long they’ve been sober, is only one day sober today.
Red Chip (30 Days/1 Month)
The red chip marks one month of continuous sobriety, which is a significant early milestone, while the sobriety purple chip celebrates an even longer commitment .
Significance: Making it to 30 days signifies overcoming the hardest part of early recovery, which can be very tough going. The first month is about adapting to life on the other side of alcohol, navigating physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms, and getting used to new habits.
What It Represents: Red often symbolizes strength, courage, and the life-blood of the program. It takes considerable courage to reach 30 days, as this period typically involves facing the reality of life without the numbing effects of alcohol.
Gold Chip (60 Days/2 Months)
The sobriety gold chip celebrates two months of sobriety.
Significance: In day 60 recovery routines are starting to become routine. And the early sobriety crisis has passed, but each meeting helps build a new foundation.
What It Represents: Gold signifies value and worth. At two months, quite a few people start to notice their worth outside of addiction. They begin rebuilding connections and rekindling interests that have been eclipsed by alcohol.
Green Chip (90 Days/3 Months)
The green chip marks three months of continuous sobriety.
Significance: Ninety days is a critical milestone in recovery. Many treatment programs last 90 days because this period allows for significant behavioral change and habit formation.
What It Represents: Green symbolizes growth, renewal, and new life. At three months, most people experience noticeable positive changes: clearer thinking, better physical health, improving relationships, and growing emotional stability.
Purple Chip (6 Months)
The purple chip celebrates six months of sobriety, while the sobriety dark blue chip is awarded at a later stage .
Significance: The significance of half a year being it is large commitment and progress. By the 6-month mark, recovery is simply your new life, not crisis control.
What It Represents: Purple is the stability of blue merged with the energy of red, representing the equilibrium being restored in recovery. By now, people have gotten through holidays, social events and difficult experiences without drinking.
Blue Chip (9 Months)
The blue chip marks nine months of continuous sobriety.
Significance: Nine months represents three-quarters of a year. This milestone shows sustained commitment and increasingly stable recovery.
What It Represents: Blue symbolizes serenity and peace. By nine months, many people report feeling more peaceful and centered than they have in years. The chaos of active addiction feels increasingly distant.
Bronze/Silver (1 Year)
The one-year chip marks a full year of continuous sobriety, which is another major milestone.
Significance: One year, 12 months, all the seasons, holidays/birthdays/anniversaries, have all been celebrated sober. This achievement deserves a significant celebration.
Color Variation: Different groups may use bronze, silver, or a special medallion for the one-year mark. Some groups present a larger, more elaborate token at one year.
What It Represents: The one-year chip represents a significant year of sobriety, dedication, perseverance, and proof that long-term recovery is achievable. It stands for 365 straight days where you chose not to pick up a drink.
Gold (Multiple Years)
Gold chips mark annual milestones beyond one year.
Significance: Each additional year represents continued growth, deeper recovery, and ongoing commitment to sobriety. Some groups give out chips for each year, while others mark specific milestones (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 years, etc.).
What It Represents: Gold symbolizes the precious nature of long-term sobriety and the wisdom gained through years of recovery work. Long-term sobriety chips inspire newer members by showing that sustained recovery is achievable.
Celebrating Sobriety and Community Support
While the color system described above is common, variations exist across different AA groups and regions.
Regional Differences: Some groups have alternate colors, or put different colors for different time frames. For instance, some people use orange, not gold for 60 days, or yellow for 30 days. The color isn’t what matters so much as the acknowledgment of progress.
Group Autonomy: AA is set up so that groups can function independently. That means chip traditions can differ from one meeting to another. Some organizations go for plastic chips, while others prefer metal. Some have elaborate ceremonies, others keep it simple.
NA Chips, including the sobriety pink chip, are used by Narcotics Anonymous, which employs a similar (but different) chip system. Though a majority of the colors are shared, na chips may have different color assignments or milestone intervals.
Personal Meaning: The most important aspect of any chip is its personal meaning to the holder. Whether it’s a white chip for one day or a 20-year gold chip, each is an accomplishment showing actual effort and growth and commitment.
Chip Holders: Many people keep their chips in an aa chip holder, a special case, or a keychain designed to keep chips safe and visible. This allows you to carry chips that serve as daily reminders of the commitment you’ve made to staying sober. Quality chip holders can be found at aa store locations or online at places like My 12 Step Store.
AA Gifts: Chips also serve as meaningful aa gifts for people in recovery. Giving someone their milestone chip, a special chip holder, or other recovery tokens shows support and recognition of their journey.
Conclusion
The colors of AA chips symbolize the important milestones towards recovery, which ranges from the 24 hours essential to take that first step (white chip) to staying sober for several months or years (gold and dark green chips). Each color represents different character traits, and recognizes the courage, effort, and progress made to reach sobriety.
Ready to support your recovery or someone else’s? Browse our selection of AA chips, chip holders, and recovery gifts at My 12 Step Store. Find everything you need to mark milestones and celebrate the courage it takes to maintain sobriety, one day at a time.
Remember that every chip, regardless of color, represents the same fundamental achievement, choosing recovery today. Whether you’re reaching for your first white chip or celebrating decades of sobriety, every sober and clean day is a gift worth recognizing.