Noah Vinter
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) groups and other twelve-step recovery groups often use medallions, tokens, or chips to help members celebrate achievements and milestones in their recovery journey. These tokens are not officially affiliated with AA, but they are used to signify and commemorate periods of abstinence from alcohol. The tokens are intended to serve as a reminder of a member's commitment to their recovery and to provide a sense of accomplishment and positive reinforcement. While AA groups do not give out medals specifically for putting up with alcoholics, the support and accountability provided by these groups can be instrumental in helping individuals achieve and maintain sobriety.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To commemorate special milestones in recovery |
| Size | 34mm (1.34 inches) or 39mm (1.5 inches) in diameter |
| Materials | Metal, plastic, wood, glass, leather |
| Colours | Bronze, gold, silver |
| Shapes | Coins, medallions, chips, keychains, mugs, wristbands, bullets |
| Distribution | Distributed to members of 12-step groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous |
| Timing | Given at 24 hours, one month, three months, six months, nine months, and yearly milestones |
| Intent | To celebrate accomplishments and remind recipients of their commitment to recovery |
| History | Attributed to Sister Ignatia at St. Thomas Hospital in Akron, Ohio, in the early days of AA |
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What You'll Learn
History of Alcoholics Anonymous medallions
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) medallions, also known as sobriety coins, are tokens given to Alcoholics Anonymous or other twelve-step program members to represent the amount of time they have remained sober. While there is no official AA medallion or chip, they are commonly used in AA culture. The medallions are about the size of a poker chip and are often made of bronze.
The history of giving out tokens to commemorate lengths of sobriety predates the founding of AA. Earlier Temperance societies in the United States distributed religious medallions to men who pledged to quit drinking and sometimes to mark the duration of their sobriety. The first recorded practice of giving sobriety tokens to alcoholics is attributed to Sister Ignatia, a nun devoted to assisting early AA members in Akron, who gave her newly released patients a Sacred Heart Medallion, which they were asked to return before they took their first drink. She also occasionally gave out St. Christopher and St. George medals.
The actual history of how the AA chip came about is still a mystery, but it is believed to have originated in Indianapolis in 1942 by Doherty S., who began the Alcoholics Anonymous section in the city. The Portland group in Maine started using coloured poker chips to mark time sober, and as other sections of AA adopted the sobriety coin custom, private companies began manufacturing "AA" chips and selling them to different sections. It is believed that the company that made the modern chip occurred in Minneapolis in 1965, with Wendells Inc. from Ramsey, Minnesota, beginning production of the raised centre bronze AA Medallion in 1973.
The chip system is optional and not a part of all AA groups nationally or worldwide. The medallions are meant to be tokens of inspiration and a reminder of how long the member has been sober. They are often given to those in recovery by their home group, sponsors (spiritual mentors), or even special friends or family members.
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Medallions as a reminder of sobriety
Medallions are a common tool used in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other twelve-step programs to mark an individual's journey to and maintenance of sobriety. These medallions, also referred to as sobriety coins, are given to members to represent the amount of time they have remained sober.
The use of medallions as a marker of sobriety can be traced back to the early days of AA, when Sister Mary Ignatia, a nun devoted to assisting early members of AA, would give patients a Sacred Heart medallion, asking them to return it before they took their first drink. Over time, the custom of giving out medallions continued to grow within AA, NA, and other organisations that wanted to provide their members with positive reinforcement and a sense of accomplishment.
The medallions are typically the size of a poker chip, with a standard diameter of 34mm (1.34 inches) or 39mm (1.5 inches). They are often made of bronze, gold, silver, or plastic, and may feature engravings of initials, names, or significant dates or numbers. While there is no official AA medallion, most AA groups use chips of particular colours or alloys to represent the amount of time a member has been sober. For example, a white chip may signify a start or renewal of a commitment to sobriety, while a bronze chip typically represents one or more years of sobriety.
These medallions serve as a reminder of the journey to sobriety and the desire to quit drinking. They are meant to be encouraging and inspiring, providing a sense of accomplishment and positive reinforcement for maintaining sobriety. The act of receiving a medallion in a recovery meeting or upon completing treatment can be a sacred moment, marking a significant milestone in an individual's recovery journey.
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Medallions as a form of positive reinforcement
Medallions have long been used as a form of positive reinforcement for those in recovery from alcoholism. The practice is believed to have originated in the early 20th century with Sister Mary Ignatia, a nun devoted to assisting early members of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Sister Ignatia would give her patients a Sacred Heart medallion upon their release from St. Thomas Hospital, asking them to return it before they took their first drink. This act of accepting the medallion signified the patient's commitment to God, to AA, and to their recovery journey.
The use of medallions as a form of positive reinforcement soon spread, with various organizations adopting the practice to provide their members with a sense of accomplishment and a tangible reminder of their commitment to sobriety. These medallions, often referred to as sobriety coins or chips, are usually about the size of a poker chip and are given to members to commemorate special milestones in their recovery. They are not limited to AA, but are also used in other twelve-step programs and recovery groups.
The act of receiving a medallion serves as a form of positive reinforcement by generating a sense of pride and accomplishment in the recipient. It is a tangible representation of their commitment to recovery and a reminder of how far they have come. The medallions are often given at specific intervals, such as one month, three months, six months, and so on, providing a sense of structure and achievement in the recovery process.
The design of the medallions also holds significance. Many feature the Alcoholics Anonymous Circle and Triangle motif, along with the three legacies of AA: Unity, Fellowship, and Recovery. The front of the medallion may also include inspiring phrases such as "To Thine Own Self Be True". The back of the medallion may feature the Serenity Prayer, providing a constant reminder of the values and principles that support ongoing recovery.
The use of medallions as positive reinforcement is not limited to those in recovery but can also be extended to their support systems, including family and friends. These medallions serve as a reminder of the strength and commitment it takes to support a loved one through their recovery journey and can foster a sense of community and mutual understanding.
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The different types of medallions
While there may not be medals given out for putting up with alcoholics, there are various medallions associated with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) that are awarded to members for staying sober. These medallions are not officially affiliated with AA, but they are used in AA culture. Here are the different types of medallions:
Sacred Heart Medallion
The Sacred Heart Medallion was given by Sister Ignatia, a nun devoted to assisting early members of AA, to her newly released patients. She asked them to return the medallion before they took their first drink. This medallion served as a reminder of their commitment to sobriety.
St. Christopher Medal
Sister Ignatia also occasionally gave out St. Christopher medals, but with a lighthearted warning: "He gets out after 50 miles an hour."
Bronze AA Medallion
The Bronze AA Medallion is the most common bronze coin given by AA members. It is often distributed to members of 12-step groups to mark significant periods of continuous sobriety. The standard size of these medallions is 34 mm (1.34 inches) or 39 mm (1.5 inches) in diameter.
Other Varieties
In addition to the Bronze AA Medallion, there are now plastic chips, wooden AA tokens, glass pocket gems, leather medallions, keychains, coffee mugs, and wristbands that are becoming more popular. These tokens are meant to celebrate achievements in recovery and remind recipients of their daily commitment to personal recovery.
The use of medallions in recovery is believed to have behavior modification effects, serving as a talisman to ward off relapse. While the effectiveness of these medallions may vary for each individual, they represent a sense of pride and accomplishment in one's recovery journey.
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Exchanging medallions for free drinks
Sobriety coins or medallions are tokens given to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) members or people in other twelve-step programs to represent the amount of time they have remained sober. The coins are usually medallions the size of a poker chip, with a 34 mm or 39 mm diameter. The medallions are not officially approved by AA, but they are used in AA culture.
The use of medallions as a marker of sobriety can be traced back to the early days of AA. Sister Mary Ignatia, a nun devoted to assisting early members of AA, would give patients a Sacred Heart medallion and ask them to return it before they took their first drink. She would also give out St. Christopher medals, warning recipients not to drive too fast, as "He gets out after 50 miles an hour".
The tradition of using medallions to mark time in sobriety has continued, with some AA groups using chips of particular colours or alloys to represent the amount of time a member has been sober. These medallions are meant to be tokens of inspiration and reminders of how far the member has come.
While it is not true that AA medallions can be exchanged for free drinks at bars, the belief that they can be has been around for decades. This belief may be due to the perception of alcoholics as irresponsible individuals who lack impulse control.
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Frequently asked questions
No, but there is a system of giving out medals and tokens to alcoholics as a way of marking their achievements in recovery.
Sobriety coins, also known as AA coins, AA chips, or AA tokens, are small, round pieces of metal or plastic that are distributed to members of 12 Step groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, to mark significant periods of continuous sobriety.
The practice of giving out sobriety coins is believed to have originated in Indianapolis in 1942 by Doherty S., the man who began the Alcoholics Anonymous section in the city. The Portland group (Maine) began a tradition of using coloured poker chips to mark time sober.
Sobriety coins are typically made of bronze, but they can also be made of other materials such as plastic, wood, glass, or leather.
