When many people think about Alcoholics Anonymous, they picture the chips used to signify important milestones in sobriety. These chips have become widely recognized as symbols of AA, even though many people are unaware of the history and significance of their use. At my12stepstore.com, we enjoy sharing information and resources with our community and are proud to offer the following overview of how and why chips became such a big part of the AA experience. As other 12- step groups have started so has the significance of celebrating recovery time.
How are Chips Used in 12- Step meetings?
When someone in recovery attending meetings, and reaches a milestone in his or her recovery, that achievement is often marked by receiving a poker-size chip made of plastic http://www.my12stepstore.com/Recovery-Plastic-Chips.html metal or aluminum . Chips come in assorted colors, and each represents a period of time that a person has sustained sobriety. Many people who are in the program take a great deal of pride in “earning” these tokens during a meeting, and get a sense of hope and purpose when they pass those milestones. Often the acknowledgement of a new life and journey is what supports someone to “keep coming back.” http://www.my12stepstore.com/AA-Aluminum-Chips-Alcoholics-Anonymous.html Nicotine chips http://www.my12stepstore.com/product2691.html
The History Behind the Chips
The true origin of the use of AA chips is unknown. Some believe that it began in 1942, when Alcoholics Anonymous was brought to Indianapolis. There are historical mentions of “chips” and “tokens” being given out at meetings. From that point forward, there are numerous mentions of chips being used to mark important dates. Some speak of individuals who carried their chips on their person throughout their lives, while others were more anecdotal. In one, a woman is asked to leave a bar after a bartender spots her chip and asks her what it represents. There are recollections of people who were told to throw out their chips if they made the decision to return to a life of drinking. http://www.my12stepstore.com/product2692.html
How Chips are Used Today
Currently, members of Alcoholics Anonymous and other recovery programs still use chips to mark important milestones in their path of sober living. Some people value those tokens more than others, and there is some debate over how much emphasis should be placed on those symbols. For those who feel strongly about the meaning behind chips, my12stepstore.com offers many different high-quality chips that can be treasured for a lifetime. http://www.my12stepstore.com/Marijuana-Anonymous-Plastic-Chips.html Crystal Meth Anonymous http://www.my12stepstore.com/CMA-Chips.html http://www.my12stepstore.com/Recovery-Plastic-Chips-With-Chains.html
