Why Did People In AA Offer Me a 24-Hour Chip?

In my humble opinion of observing people in AA for years, I’d just say that there sometimes is a sort of herd mentality. Or maybe better put, it might be that it makes some of the people feel safer in their own recovery if everyone follows the same “rituals”. It’s unfortunate that they do that to you. The chips are actually NOT conference approved items, even though many groups use them. As hopefully mentioned when giving them out, it is mentioned that they are only a “symbol”.

When I give them out, I just say this: If you have a desire to quit drinking and want to demonstrate that desire, we invite you to come and pick up this white chip.

But I would NEVER, EVER put pressure on anyone to pick up a chip or even try to keep track whether they did or not. It seems to me that the people who keep offering a white chip to you should go to Al-Anon, so that they can learn to keep the focus on their own recovery and not yours. So, if anyone asks you if you would like a white chip, you can ask them if they want to pick up one in an Al Anon meeting.

Having said all of this, I must say that I am sure that these people do mean well, and only want to help you stay sober. Sometimes we all just don’t know the best way to help or when to let things alone.

Along with this, I must say that it’s fine if you don’t care to work the steps, but they are actually a good tool for just about anyone who wants to improve their life, regardless of whether they are alcoholic or not. (except for the powerlessness over alcohol for non-alcholics).

I will also have to tell you that not drinking and not working the steps have not really anything to do with each other. I stayed sober for 7 years without working the steps. I know an old lady just across the street that just celebrated 50 years of sobriety. She no longer goes to meetings, and probably hasn’t in years, but shows up every year to pick up her medallion. Unfortunately, she is a bitter, unsocial angry looking old woman. I would honestly prefer to relapse and start over with a fresh attitude of humility than to go through life that way.

I found out the hard way too, that it is possible to not drink, and not change my personality for years. But slowly we tend to warp into what is commonly called a dry drunk. You might want to think about the possibility of that happening to you someday. It does sneak up on you though, since the changes are so gradual. Looking back, I can see how I had been setting myself up for a relapse for about 2 or 3 years before I ever drank again. As I said, this was after 7 years of being sober, or might I say, “dry”. But I had become sort of crazy and not so easy to live with.

I got back in AA after the 6 year relapse, and now things are good. I’ve been sober now for quite a number of years.

I wish you well in whichever way you decide to do this.