Sobriety Chips?
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Buzz-free Zone
Posts: 1,372
Sobriety Chips?
Originally Posted by NewBeginning010 
I picked up a thirty day chip a little while back, thinking of drilling a hole in them (24 hr chip too) so that I can add them to my key chain so that I can have them with me everywhere I go.
One of my friends made an inlay on a captain's ship wheel for each one of his - all 15 of them so far.
Anyone?
Awakening
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Riverside, CA
Posts: 290
I saw a Simpson's episode where Barney gets a 5-minute chip, then takes it to Moe's bar and redeems it for a beer. Kind of disturbing when I think back on it. Please tell me there are not bars where you can get a free drink for an AA chip.
Rev
Rev
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Buzz-free Zone
Posts: 1,372
Originally Posted by Rev
Please tell me there are not bars where you can get a free drink for an AA chip.
Least, tick-tock - a sobriety clock - creative indeed!
Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 4,682
My sponsor said there was a tradition in his area where you would find someone to give you previous year's chip to when you got your next year if that makes sense?
God willing i thought i may buy a nice one each year and get a hole put in it at a jewellers and wear round neck? replacing each year? Let's see:-)
Anniversary -- Hazelden
These ones look nice IMO Silver Recovery -- Hazelden
God willing i thought i may buy a nice one each year and get a hole put in it at a jewellers and wear round neck? replacing each year? Let's see:-)
Anniversary -- Hazelden
These ones look nice IMO Silver Recovery -- Hazelden
Belgian Sheepdog Adictee
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: In Today
Posts: 6,101
Until I reached 1 year, my milestone chips were plastic. My sponsor had a drill to drill a hole in them and I carried them on my key chain, and yes as they mounted up they did make noise, a good reminder for me.
Once I started getting the metal Medallions I carried them with me, usually in my wallet. Then when my second sponsee got her first year I gave her my first year chip and have given her my chip each year since.
About 10 years ago, I found a GREAT leather Check Book Cover, with the Serenity Prayer on the front and a place on the front for my medallion. I have put them there since, and still pass the older ones on to that same sponsee.
I like this, as every time I pull out the check book to write a check or enter a debit card entry, there it is, right under my nose, lol along with the Serenity Prayer.
I treasure my yearly chips!
I have ordered my 29 year medallion and it should be here shortly. It will be given to me by a dear friend in the program on my Anniversary and I will once again go through my own personal ritual of taking out the previous chip, putting in the new one, and the previous chip goes in a plastic container to sit in my jewelery box until Dear Diana reaches that time.
J M H O
Love and hugs,
Once I started getting the metal Medallions I carried them with me, usually in my wallet. Then when my second sponsee got her first year I gave her my first year chip and have given her my chip each year since.
About 10 years ago, I found a GREAT leather Check Book Cover, with the Serenity Prayer on the front and a place on the front for my medallion. I have put them there since, and still pass the older ones on to that same sponsee.
I like this, as every time I pull out the check book to write a check or enter a debit card entry, there it is, right under my nose, lol along with the Serenity Prayer.
I treasure my yearly chips!
I have ordered my 29 year medallion and it should be here shortly. It will be given to me by a dear friend in the program on my Anniversary and I will once again go through my own personal ritual of taking out the previous chip, putting in the new one, and the previous chip goes in a plastic container to sit in my jewelery box until Dear Diana reaches that time.
J M H O
Love and hugs,
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Buzz-free Zone
Posts: 1,372
Love the check book idea - either as a gift to someone in recovery or yourself like you said as a frequent reminder. 29 years - congratulations - the ritual sounds amazing.
I buried my one year chip with some mums I planted at my parents headstone. I wasn't sober when they passed away so that was important to me.
I visited Bill Wilson's gravesite a couple of years ago - a glass jar was at his headstone with all kinds of colored chips, personalized chips and 20 and 30-year medallions that people had left.
A sign at the jar encouraged people to take one but to replace it with one of your own as an exchange for the next person. Very cool.
I buried my one year chip with some mums I planted at my parents headstone. I wasn't sober when they passed away so that was important to me.
I visited Bill Wilson's gravesite a couple of years ago - a glass jar was at his headstone with all kinds of colored chips, personalized chips and 20 and 30-year medallions that people had left.
A sign at the jar encouraged people to take one but to replace it with one of your own as an exchange for the next person. Very cool.
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
The monthly ones I returned when I earned a different one.
I simply put them back in our "chip box"
The medallions....denoteing years......I pass along to special
friends coming behind me.
The current year one stays in my billfold
until I earn another.
So.....right now....I only have one.....
I simply put them back in our "chip box"
The medallions....denoteing years......I pass along to special
friends coming behind me.
The current year one stays in my billfold
until I earn another.
So.....right now....I only have one.....
Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 32
This is a great topic. I wish there was a website for "chip crafts"! For my first sober Christmas, I tried to make a Christmas tree ornament for my sponsor with my chips (desire chip - 9 months). I hot-glued them to a piece of posterboard in a pyramid formation and intended to cut around the chips so you couldn't see the posterboard. OMG, it was a frickin' mess. The chips didn't stick and it looked like a toddler made it. I never gave it to her, explained her gift "just, uh, didn't work out" and eventually showed it to her months later and we had a good laugh.
Right now, my 2 year chip is displayed on a ledge by my bathroom sink where I see it every morning and at night. I also gave one to my daughter for her birthday. She treasures all my chips and my sobriety. She endured the worst of my alcoholism. 
Right now, my 2 year chip is displayed on a ledge by my bathroom sink where I see it every morning and at night. I also gave one to my daughter for her birthday. She treasures all my chips and my sobriety.
She endured the worst of my alcoholism. Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LA - Lower Alabama
Posts: 5,069
Originally Posted by Rev
I saw a Simpson's episode where Barney gets a 5-minute chip, then takes it to Moe's bar and redeems it for a beer. Kind of disturbing when I think back on it. Please tell me there are not bars where you can get a free drink for an AA chip.
Rev
Rev
Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 2,126
"...on my Anniversary...I will once again go through my own personal ritual of taking out the previous chip, putting in the new one, and the previous chip goes in a plastic container to sit in my jewelery box..."
I had this kind of ritual. After a time, I got tired of it so I searched around to see if there were any alternatives-----well, of course!!!! There are always alternatives.....LOLOL
I've found the perfect medallion (for me, anyway); it's called "The New Life Medallion" ---- it's bronze, and on one side it's engraved with 'This Day My New Life Began' and on the other is the person's sobriety/clean date. I have a key fob that's clear plastic on both sides, which is just perfect for this medallion..... (o:
I shan't post a link to the website where these coins/holders/lotsa good stuff can be found, but if you're interested, 'PM' me and I'll send you the link.....
(o:
NoelleR
I had this kind of ritual. After a time, I got tired of it so I searched around to see if there were any alternatives-----well, of course!!!! There are always alternatives.....LOLOL
I've found the perfect medallion (for me, anyway); it's called "The New Life Medallion" ---- it's bronze, and on one side it's engraved with 'This Day My New Life Began' and on the other is the person's sobriety/clean date. I have a key fob that's clear plastic on both sides, which is just perfect for this medallion..... (o:
I shan't post a link to the website where these coins/holders/lotsa good stuff can be found, but if you're interested, 'PM' me and I'll send you the link.....
(o:
NoelleR
Recovering Soul
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 92
Originally Posted by Rev
I saw a Simpson's episode where Barney gets a 5-minute chip, then takes it to Moe's bar and redeems it for a beer. Kind of disturbing when I think back on it. Please tell me there are not bars where you can get a free drink for an AA chip.
Rev
Rev
Recovering Soul
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 92
Originally Posted by HumbleBee
Love the check book idea - either as a gift to someone in recovery or yourself like you said as a frequent reminder. 29 years - congratulations - the ritual sounds amazing.
I buried my one year chip with some mums I planted at my parents headstone. I wasn't sober when they passed away so that was important to me.
I visited Bill Wilson's gravesite a couple of years ago - a glass jar was at his headstone with all kinds of colored chips, personalized chips and 20 and 30-year medallions that people had left.
A sign at the jar encouraged people to take one but to replace it with one of your own as an exchange for the next person. Very cool.
I buried my one year chip with some mums I planted at my parents headstone. I wasn't sober when they passed away so that was important to me.
I visited Bill Wilson's gravesite a couple of years ago - a glass jar was at his headstone with all kinds of colored chips, personalized chips and 20 and 30-year medallions that people had left.
A sign at the jar encouraged people to take one but to replace it with one of your own as an exchange for the next person. Very cool.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 32
Originally Posted by recoveringfaith
Wow. This whole post. Just wow.
Stepping Stones
This is a really cool site dedicated to their home and the legacy of AA and Al-Anon.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: rochester ny
Posts: 164
My coins are stacked in a neat little pile on my altar at home right in front of the Buddha figure. This time around I skipped doing the whole monthly chip thing so I have a 24 coin, a 1 year, and a 2 year. If my karma and my actions coincide and I keep my life in balance with the spiritual path I am on and the 12 steps, I will add a 3 year coin in July.
This post made me decide to give my sponsee my one year coin if he gets there. Not that I doubt him, he is kicking ass. But tanks for the idea!!!
This post made me decide to give my sponsee my one year coin if he gets there. Not that I doubt him, he is kicking ass. But tanks for the idea!!!
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