Celebrate Recovery and Sobriety Chips

Large Group/Open Share Group

Tips on Chips:

Acknowledging various lengths of sobriety is a celebration for Open Share Group. It is an opportunity for individuals to share their victory, and bring hope to the Newcomer. Handing out chips during Open Share Group also ensures anonymity for those who otherwise would feel uncomfortable receiving a chip during your general meeting night. For example, a sex addict may not want to take a chip in front of your Large Group. It also might be very intimidating for the Newcomer to stand up in front of a group of people. To ensure your large group safe, please do not single out your newcomers. If you decide to hand out chips during Large Group time, ensure that individuals taking a chip receive a chip and a hug without indicating their area of recovery. Also bear in mind that those who do not have a definition of sobriety for their area of recovery; i.e. co-dependency, may feel excluded from the process.

Here’s how to present chips in your Open Share Group:

After sharing time in your Open Share Group, thank everyone for participating. This is the ideal time to acknowledge various lengths of sobriety/recovery and to welcome the Newcomer. By handing out chips, we have an opportunity to celebrate our recoveries and bring honor to our higher power, Jesus Christ.

For groups with definitions of sobriety; state that this is a chip meeting. Read “The definition of Sobriety”; this outlines who qualifies to receive a chip. Announce “We like to acknowledge varies lengths of sobriety,” and introduce the person who will pass out the chips. (I’ve asked _______ to pass out chips.) Then acknowledge various lengths of sobriety or recovery.

To award chips, have someone stand in the center of the circle and ask, “Is there anyone here with 30 days, 60 days, and 90 days?” Then ask, “Is there anyone here celebrating an anniversary; 1 year, 2 years, and so on.” Then ask, “Is there anyone here for the first time tonight, and would you like to accept a welcome chip?”

Presenting the chips is a great assignment to give to a regular group member, perhaps to someone who has not taken a step into service yet.

CR sobriety chips may be purchased on www.celebraterecoverygear.com and definitions of sobriety may be found in the Advanced Leadership Training Guide.

Comments

[Tony A.]

If I attend the monthly birthday (chip) meeting, but my actual birthday falls on a day after that day, but does fall in the same month,can I get my chip at that meeting? Example: (The birthday meeting in on the 25th and my actual birthday in on the 28th)

[Tony A.]

If I attend the monthly birthday (chip) meeting, but my actual birthday falls on a day after that day, but does fall in the same month,can I get my chip at that meeting? Example: (The birthday meeting in on the 25th and my actual birthday in on the 28th)