Recovery Jewelry to Remind You of Your Strength

Recovery Jewelry to Remind You of Your Strength

You've worked hard to get where you are today. Members everywhere are turning to recovery jewelry as constant reminds of that work (and strength).

The work you've performed so far is an accomplishment to be wholeheartedly proud of. And some members of Alcoholics Anonymous wear that pride, literally, by donning recovery jewelry.

Still, there's that urge occasionally gnawing at the back of your brain. You've told yourself the same thing before, "having just one won't hurt anything."

But this time you know better. You're aware of the lies you've told yourself and others. And more importantly, you're actively seeking out ways to protect yourself from falling back into that downward spiral.

In this post, we'll discuss how something as simple as a piece of recovery jewelry can help you maintain true north on your path of recovery.

Recovery Jewelry As a Reminder

If you've been in the program for any length of time, even for a single day, you're probably familiar with the AA token or chip

The AA token is a coin given to members of AA and other 12 step groups to represent the amount of time that a member has maintained sobriety. Different tokens are used for different lengths of sobriety time. These tokens also have phrases inscribed on them, such as, "To thine own self be true," or, "One day at a time." Some will even include the entire Serenity Prayer. 

Recovery jewelry is often used in the same fashion and has similar symbolism. However, donning an elegant piece of recovery jewelry is a much more personal way to remind yourself of the journey you're on.

But with recovery jewelry, it doesn't matter if you're approaching or celebrating a sobriety birthday. Recovery jewelry can actually become a tool to help remind you of not only where you've been, but where you're going, as well.

Imagine yourself in a difficult situation. Maybe you're caught off guard at a social event, or maybe your dog just died. Whatever the scenario, you're well aware of what a trigger is, and what can come from a relapse. You've prepared for situations like these before, but sometimes it's nice to have some help. 

Using Jewelry As a Tool

During these times of duress, it's helpful to remind yourself of what's at stake.

A piece of jewelry can become a tool to help aid your continued sobriety. And an inconspicuous one at that. If you find yourself in a tight spot, can you picture yourself twisting a sobriety ring on your finger as a reminder? Or maybe a bracelet to remind you to take a few deep breaths to remind yourself to take it "one day at a time."

If you find yourself in a tight spot, can you picture yourself twisting a sobriety ring on your finger as a reminder? Or maybe a bracelet to remind you to take a few deep breaths and tell yourself to take it "one day at a time."

If you allow it, a piece of jewelry can become a type of defense against temptation. Choose something that resonates with you and will serve as a reminder of the work you've performed to get where you are here and now. 

And remember, it's okay to feel weak at times. But that doesn't mean you have to do it alone. The piece of jewelry you choose to help your continued recovery can also become a reminder that you're not alone. Through that piece of jewelry, you're reminded of the expansive community of other people in recovery that are willing to help.

A Testament to Recovery

But that's not to say a piece of recovery jewelry has the power to keep you from your next use. Quite the contrary. 

The power of any single piece of recovery jewelry lies solely with the person that decides to wear it. The person that wears it does so because they are proud, yet humbled.

They are able to wear such an item boldly because they earned the right to. They've been through the wringer and came out on the other side scarred, but not broken.

To wear a piece of recovery jewelry is also a form of acceptance. The wearer recognizes those days are past, and the luster of the jewelry matches the new light in their life. Also, it's a testament to overcoming the immense shame that is often associated with early recovery. 

Symbolism

As previously mentioned, AA tokens will typically display a symbol and a phrase. Many jewelry items also feature identical, or at least similar, symbolism.

One of the most common symbols (and one of the most important) is the circle with a triangle in its center. The triangle is equilateral, meaning each of its three sides are of equal length. Each side represents an element of the three-part answer to the three-part problem, as presented by the AA program.

The three parts of the disease include the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects. The three-part answer to that disease consists of unity, recovery, and service to fellow members. The circle which encloses this triangle represents wholeness and oneness.

In fact, the circle surrounding the triangle is a symbol with deep roots in history. According to the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, Bill W., "The priests and seers of antiquity regarded the circle enclosing the triangle as a means of warding off spirits and evil, and Alcoholics Anonymous' circle and triangle of Recovery, Unity, and Service has certainly meant all of that to us and much more."

Maintaining Your Sobriety

Your continued sobriety is precious and is something to be proud of. You and only you are fully aware of the pain, suffering, and longing you felt before getting sober.

And it's you, and only you, that knows the true amount of blood, sweat, and tears that went into getting yourself to this point. But you made it! You're here and you're better than ever. 

Though, you also know that doesn't mean all the days will be happy, joyous, and free. It's easy for life to get you down sometimes, and that's why we could all use reminders of our true goal: maintaining a healthy and sober lifestyle. 

Jewelry can be an item that you'll wear with pride. Just be sure to choose a color that compliments your new, healthy complexion and bright eyes! To browse our selection of jewelry and other AA gifts, click here.

Do you have a favorite piece of jewelry that helps your recovery? Tell us about how it has helped you in the comment section below!