What is AA?
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a free, peer-led support group designed to help individuals struggling with alcohol addiction. It operates as a fellowship where members support each other to maintain sobriety and improve their quality of life. AA meetings are held regularly in cities across the United States, including throughout Ohio, Franklin County, and Columbus, where you can find aa columbus ohio information.
This program offers a no-cost approach with group meetings that focus on sharing experiences, strength, and hope. These meetings provide various formats such as speaker meetings, discussion groups, and step studies, tailored to meet the individual needs of those seeking recovery.
North Community Counseling Centers
Address: 1200 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43201
Meetings Schedule and Details:
- Monday – Friday at 12:00 PM: Open speaker discussion meeting where members share personal stories of addiction and recovery in an open format accessible to anyone interested.
- Tuesday at 6:00 PM: Closed 12-step study meeting focused on studying and discussing the AA 12 Steps among members dedicated to sobriety.
- Saturday at 10:00 AM: Open speaker discussion meeting providing an opportunity for newcomers and members alike to hear inspiring experiences and reflections.
Shepherd’s Corner Ecumenical Church
Address: 9350 W Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43224
Meetings Schedule and Details:
- Sunday at 8:00 PM: Closed discussion meeting limited to those who have a desire to stop drinking, fostering a confidential and intimate setting for sharing challenges and progress.
- Friday at 8:00 PM: Open speaker meeting welcoming family, friends, and interested community members to learn about the AA experience and recovery process.
- Tuesday at 8:00 PM: Open 12-step study meeting emphasizing learning and reflection on the 12 Steps as a guide for personal recovery.
Maryhaven Engagement Center
Address: 2231 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43201
Meetings Schedule and Details:
- Monday at 7:00 PM: Closed discussion meeting encouraging open, personal sharing focused on problems with alcohol and the journey to sobriety.
- Wednesday at 7:00 PM: Open speaker meeting presenting testimonials from members, helpful for motivation and understanding diverse recovery experiences.
- Saturday at 9:00 AM: Closed 12 & 12 study meeting dedicated to serious study of the “Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions” book, supporting long-term recovery goals.
The 12 Steps of AA
- We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
This step encourages acknowledgment of the problem, a foundation for recovery and surrender.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Members open to spiritual healing and support beyond personal effort.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
Begin trusting in a higher power for guidance and strength.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Self-reflection to understand personal shortcomings and patterns of addiction.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Confession fosters humility and accountability.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove these defects of character.
Prepare for change by accepting willingness to let go of harmful traits.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
Active request for transformation and relief from addiction behaviors.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
Recognition of the impact of addiction on others and readiness to repair relationships.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Taking positive actions to restore trust and make restitution.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
Ongoing self-awareness and accountability to maintain sobriety.
- Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will and the power to carry that out.
Enhance spiritual growth and guidance.
- Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Commitment to lifelong recovery and helping others in Ohio, Franklin, and Columbus.
Getting Started with AA in Ohio, Franklin, Columbus, USA
The most reliable way to locate local AA meetings in Ohio, Franklin, and Columbus is to use the official meeting search available at wfmh.org. This website offers updated information on both in-person and online/virtual AA meetings throughout these areas, making it the best resource for newcomers and established members.
Most communities in Columbus and Franklin County provide a combination of face-to-face group meetings and virtual sessions to accommodate different needs and preferences.
Attending Your First Local AA Meeting
In Ohio, Franklin, and Columbus, AA meetings are primarily divided into open and closed categories. Understanding the difference helps attendees choose sessions that are most comfortable and appropriate for their recovery journey.
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meetings | Open to the public, including non-alcoholics, family members, and friends. These meetings provide information about AA and allow observers to learn more about the program and participant experiences. |
| Closed Meetings | Restricted to individuals who have a desire to stop drinking. These focus exclusively on members actively seeking or maintaining sobriety, providing a confidential and supportive environment. |
- Arrive early and introduce yourself as a new local member to facilitators or group members.
- Share your story or experience if you feel comfortable; no pressure to speak until ready.
- Receive welcome keychain tags marking important sobriety milestones, symbolizing encouragement and accomplishment.
Keychain Tag Milestones:
- 30 Days: Symbolizes the first month of continuous sobriety, a critical milestone celebrating early recovery success.
- 60 Days: Recognizes sustained commitment and growing strength in resisting alcohol.
- 1 Year: Marks one full year of sobriety, a major milestone reflecting personal growth and resilience.
- Additional Milestones: Tags are often given at 18 months, 2 years, 3 years, 5 years, and beyond, supporting long-term encouragement.