There is a need to understand the context of an accomplishment to fully appreciate it. A good example is when you run and complete a marathon, and how someone who has never been in one reacts to that. It is the case with getting sober. Alcohol addiction is a problem that those affected understand fully well than other people. When you take steps to get better, they will deserve a celebration. An important marker of such occasions is the AA chip system.
AA chips are tokens you rely on to acknowledge the period in which one has been sober. The chips are normally decorated with some meaningful symbols. There are the AA circle and triangle icon, which help you keep in mind the lessons gathered on the road towards complete recovery. There is also the serenity prayer on the back, to serve as motivation.
These chips serve as great motivators, but they also help to keep you grounded in the process. You will remember how far you have come, to help you avoid anything that could take you back to square one.
When you begin using the AA chip system, there will be certain steps to follow. You will, for example, be given the day one chip. It is usually an important occasion, as it marks the hardest part of beginning the process. The commitment it signifies means you will treasure that chip. You will use it to mark your first 24 hours sober. You will get it when the first 24 hours sober is over. The chip will likely be white, to show a fresh start.
You then get a chip each month you are sober after that. You will see the color-coded, with 30-day chips as red, 60-day chips as old, and 90-day chips as green. Each AA group can modify the colors if they so wish. You should aim to collect these chips till you reach the milestone of one year sober.
Once you are sober an entire year, you will receive the one-year chip, normally bronze in color. You will keep getting another one for each year sober after that.
The AA chip system has proven to be so effective other addiction recovery programs are also using it. You may also find other people modifying the system to suit their specific needs. If for example, you are also battling weight loss at the same time, you can combine those achievements with the same chips.
The process of ending your abusive interactions with alcohol need you to be fully committed to the process. It will not be easy. You need to keep reminding yourself why you decided to top in the first place. The AA system is there to support your journey.