100 Objects #20: AA Sobriety Chip

The Alcoholics Anonymous sobriety chip serves as a lens into the complex history of American temperance, morality, and the exclusion of marginalized groups. Originally emerging from the failed political experiment of Prohibition, the chip symbolizes a shift from state-mandated morality to individual, faith-based recovery. While Prohibition was deeply intertwined with the early feminist movement and the push for suffrage, it ultimately failed to address the root causes of addiction, leaving individuals to navigate recovery through the 12-step model. This system, while life-changing for many, remains rooted in white, patriarchal, and Christian frameworks that often alienate women, people of color, and those seeking secular alternatives. By examining the chip's origins—potentially linked to Sister Ignatia—the narrative highlights the persistent tension between the need for accessible community support and the exclusionary nature of institutionalized addiction recovery programs.