What Is a Recovery Coin?

In the US, 14.5 million people 12 or older have alcohol use disorder (AUD). Our country has a huge drinking culture, which has normalized bad behaviors such as binge drinking. And as a result, many people struggle with alcohol dependence and addiction, as they just can’t stop drinking.

The majority of women surveyed, close to 51%, were drinking 6-15 drinks per week. For women, this suggests the majority surveyed are  excessive drinkers.

Seeking help and getting sober is a huge step. As such, it deserves celebrating, such as with a recovery coin.

In this article, we’ll discuss what a recovery coin is and how it can be vital in finding sobriety from alcohol addiction.

What’s a Recovery Coin?

A recovery coin is also known as AA chips or AA coins. These are about the size of poker chips and are made out of metal. They commemorate certain milestones in sobriety, such as 1 month since the person’s last drink.

Recovery coins are usually given out during AA meetings so members can celebrate milestones together. But if you want to make your own to give yourself or a loved one, that’s certainly possible as well. Sites like www.thetokenshop.com have custom recovery coins you can make so you don’t have to go into a recovery coin store in person!

Recovery coin benefits include them being small enough to carry around and serving as a reminder of all your hard work and achievements. That way, whenever you feel tempted to drink again, all you have to do is reach into your pocket, feel the recovery coin, and get the strength you need to stay sober and healthy.

How Did Recovery Coins Start?

Recovery coins are pretty prevalent across the nation. And yet, no one knows exactly how they were started. There are 2 main theories for the origin of these coins.

First is the theory that a nun at St. Thomas Hospital in Akron, Ohio started it. She worked with a doctor to help patients become sober, and before they left their care, Sister Ignatia would hand them a Sacred Heart Medallion. These coins were so effective in aiding those in recovery that they brought them back and introduced them to their own AA groups.

The other theory is that an AA group in Indianapolis started it all in 1942. Their own members would carry around tokens as physical reminders of their sobriety. Visiting members would pick up on this habit and bring this practice back to their own AA meetings.

Get a Recovery Coin to Celebrate Your Progress

Now that you know what a recovery coin is, you should be proud of having one if you get into recovery and you’re given one. It marks your hard work and can be a source of strength when you’re in tempting times. So make sure you always have one with you, whether it’s one given to you by your AA meeting or one you’ve made yourself!

Need more guidance on getting sober? Then take a look at the rest of our blog.