Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a global fellowship of people who share the common goal of achieving and maintaining sobriety. This recovery program, built upon a Twelve-Step model, provides a supportive, peer-led environment for individuals seeking to change their lives. The only requirement for membership is a personal desire to stop drinking, making the fellowship accessible to anyone struggling with alcohol use. AA focuses on shared experience, strength, and hope, creating a community where individuals can find understanding and support without judgment.
What to Expect When Attending Your First AA Meeting
The thought of walking into a first meeting can feel intimidating, but the environment is generally welcoming and non-judgmental. Meetings typically begin with a chairperson reading from AA literature, such as the Preamble, which outlines the group’s purpose and tradition of anonymity. These gatherings are founded on the principle that “what you hear here, let it stay here,” creating a safe space. Most meetings run for about an hour and may be designated as either “open,” meaning anyone can attend, or “closed,” reserved for those who identify as having a drinking problem.
During the meeting, members may take turns sharing their personal experiences, struggles, and successes related to their recovery journey. As a newcomer, you are never required to speak or share your story; it is acceptable to simply sit and listen. Many groups utilize a basket for voluntary contributions to cover meeting expenses, but there is no mandatory fee to attend. The focus remains on connection, allowing you to hear stories that may resonate with your own experience.
The Meaning and Purpose of AA Chips
The practice of awarding chips, also called medallions or tokens, is a widespread tradition within the AA fellowship, though it is not an official part of the organization’s core literature. These small, usually round coins serve as tangible symbols of an individual’s commitment to continuous sobriety. They function as a physical reminder of milestones achieved and the progress made in recovery. The history of using tokens dates back to the early 1940s, evolving from early members carrying personal mementos to mark their spiritual commitment.
The chip system is structured to celebrate various lengths of time sober, acknowledging that recovery is achieved one day at a time. After the initial token, chips are often awarded for 30, 60, and 90 days, six months, and nine months of continuous sobriety. Following the first year, members typically receive a chip annually to commemorate their anniversary. These tokens are not viewed as rewards, but rather as markers of perseverance and hope that reinforce the daily decision to maintain an alcohol-free life.
Receiving the Desire Chip
The answer to whether a person receives a chip at their first meeting is generally yes, though the exact protocol varies by group tradition. The first token offered to a newcomer is commonly known as the “Desire Chip” or the “24-Hour Chip,” and it is often white or silver. This chip is symbolic of the desire to stay sober for the next twenty-four hours, emphasizing the program’s focus on living life one day at a time. Accepting this chip is an outward sign of a willingness to try the AA way of life.
The 24-Hour Chip does not necessarily mean the recipient has been sober for a full day before the meeting; in many groups, it is offered to anyone who identifies as a newcomer, regardless of their last drink. This distinction underscores the chip’s function as a marker of intent and a pledge for the immediate future. Members are usually invited to come forward voluntarily at the end of the meeting to receive the chip, ensuring the process remains anonymous. Some groups also offer the chip to members who have relapsed and are renewing their commitment to sobriety, acknowledging the courage it takes to return.
Accepting the chip is entirely voluntary, and there is no pressure from the group to take one. If a newcomer chooses to take the token, it provides a physical touchstone they can carry as a reminder of the support they found and their decision to seek help. This initial token is significant because it represents the first step in a new direction and the beginning of the recovery process.