Hahahaaa! I've never heard of them wanting them back, but we did have a guy transfer into our home group from out of state. He said that before he moved he gathered all his coins and gave them back to the home group he was leaving. He said it felt like the right thing to do as a service. Personally, I wouldn't want to give my tokens back...

After my relapse I returned all my tokens. We had a small group so when it came time to get a new coin I asked them to pull it from the bottom of the stack. lol

Just wondering if the handing out of a 24 hour coin is providing the ones that "keep starting over" a false sense of accomplishment?

Especially if there is a "shoebox" full. And a pattern is established.
I dont wanna seem critical, for i too have just returned to recovery, and the rooms after years of daily drinking. Just got my 30day chip last week, I didnt recive a 24 hour coin, didnt think to ask. I want to continue the "collection", and yes i know that each and every one coin is important and precious, to me i want to build, 60, 90, 6 months, 1 year,, etc all the way to the time when i look at my hand and there are roman numeral that begin with, X.

It just seems like another form of enabling, please kick me if i am wrong in thinking that. I know that for some the cravings may be over whelming, i too was continusly failing at abstinace. But at some point there has to be a point when seeking recovery means going to any length to get it.

I dont know, thats just my humble opinion and observation.
Sorry if anyone is offended, or hurt by what i said. I am truly sorry.
And im sorry i future tripped in there.

ONE DAY AT A TIME.

"false sense of accomplishment"

Dude. Nothing but shame for me in taking startover coins. I only did it to hold myself accountable to the group and express my intentions of committing to doing the work. I hated those friggin tokens. They represent guilt, shame, and remorse to me. But also that I survived yet again and came back when I could have chosen to stay away. The accomplishment is only in coming back, getting honest, and trying again.

I am not hurt or offended by what you say. I just have a different perspective. To give them back, imo would be symbolic as though I am somehow PAST where I was. I have gotten 30, 60, and 90 day tokens before and I have every intention to keep moving forward this time - but I had every positive intention those previous times too.

I don't view my sobriety as an accomplishment. I just don't. I am doing what I am supposed to do one day at a time. Nothing profound. I am just grateful to be sober today.

Hey send those effers to me. I will make a beautifully horrendous collage out of em, seriously!

Ccommision me and pay me in gumballs-

Let's get too this ;)~

Oh and I will put "gratitude" in the middle of this collage my dear. I am serious!

I made a mixed media thingy with my pink chips and gave it to my mommy. She loved it! I swear! Then again-she use to love my mud paintings when I was 5...

I would keep all your startover chips. They signify who you are and your struggles to get sober. I too picked up a lot of chips, but I have been sober for a few 24 hours and I give that to God. Good Luck and remember, one day at at time!!

Hi Tara,

I am sorry if my words came across as if i was pointing fingers, that is the last thing i have the privledge of doing.

I admire your willingness in holding yourself accountable. And you are abosultly right that the shame lies in not comming back, for the past year and a half that was the big excuse that i hid behind, which in turn fueld my insanity. As for myself..Any sober day in recovery is an accomplishment, and IMHO should be value as such.

There are no set rules in recovery. Just the desire......Humbly Jonny

I never heard of 'start over' tokens, either. I'm not so sure I like the idea of them, actually. I prefer the rewarding of a token at the end of at least 2 weeks of being dry and working on sobriety, but I am an oldtimer and am saddled with some peculiar ideas. :)