What is AA?
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) provides a safe space for individuals to share their experiences and receive support. If you are looking for local resources and meetings in Ohio, Franklin, or specifically in Columbus, you can find more information at https://www.wfmh.org/aa/ohio/franklin/columbus. This allows newcomers to easily connect with the community and take their first steps toward sobriety.
This is a completely free program consisting of regularly scheduled group meetings where members can connect and work the 12-step recovery program together. These meetings provide essential support for those seeking to overcome alcoholism in Ohio and surrounding areas.
Locations and Meetings in Columbus, Ohio
Central Ohio Group Fellowship
Address: 651 W Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215
Meeting Times and Methods:
- Daily Meetings: These are held in person Monday through Saturday at various times, where members discuss their personal progress and challenges in a confidential group setting.
- Open and Closed Meetings: Some sessions allow anyone interested to attend (open), while others are restricted solely to those with a desire to stop drinking (closed), providing a safe space for personal sharing.
Franklin Township AA Group
Address: Franklin Community Center, 219 W Second St, Franklin, OH 45005
Meeting Times and Methods:
- Evening Discussion Meetings: Held weekly on Tuesdays at 7:00 PM, these meetings emphasize open sharing, group support, and educational discussions around alcoholism and recovery.
- Speaker Meetings: Conducted monthly, where a member with significant sobriety shares their recovery story to inspire others in attendance.
Downtown Columbus AA Meeting
Address: Agape Center, 214 8th St, Columbus, OH 43215
Meeting Times and Methods:
- Morning Closed Meetings: Held weekdays at 7:30 AM, these are intimate closed discussion groups for individuals committed to recovery.
- Virtual Meetings: Online sessions are available for members unable to attend in person, providing flexible access to support via video conferencing platforms.
The 12 Steps of AA
- We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable. This step is fundamental as members acknowledge their addiction and its effect on their lives.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. It encourages openness to a spiritual or higher power, providing hope for recovery.
- Made a decision to turn our will and lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. This step promotes surrender to a higher guidance to gain strength.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Members assess their behaviors and character defects honestly to understand themselves better.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Sharing personal faults helps release guilt and fosters accountability.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Readiness for change paves the way for personal growth.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. This step involves actively seeking help to overcome weaknesses.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. Recognition of the impact on others is vital for reconciliation.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Taking responsibility through reparations heals relationships.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when wrong promptly admitted it. Maintaining self-awareness prevents relapse.
- Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him. Spiritual growth supports sustained sobriety.
- Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs. Giving back reinforces recovery and community support.
Getting Started with AA in Ohio, Franklin, Columbus, USA
Individuals seeking to join AA in this region should use wfmh.org to find the most up-to-date and accurate listings of local AA meetings. This is the recommended resource for locating both in-person and online meetings available throughout Ohio, Franklin, and Columbus.
Most areas offer options for attending either face-to-face meetings or virtual sessions, allowing flexibility according to personal needs and circumstances.
Attending Your First Local AA Meeting
When attending your first AA meeting in Ohio, Franklin, or Columbus, you will encounter two main types of meetings: open and closed.
| Meeting Type |
Description |
| Open Meetings |
Open to anyone interested, including newcomers, family, and friends. These meetings allow observers and newcomers to learn about AA and how it works in a welcoming environment. |
| Closed Meetings |
Restricted to individuals who have a desire to stop drinking. These meetings provide a confidential space for members to share personal experiences and recover together. |
It’s advisable to arrive early and introduce yourself as a new member. Sharing your experiences is encouraged but completely voluntary based on your comfort level.
New members often receive welcome keychain tags to mark their sobriety milestones, which motivate continued commitment.
- 30 Days: Marking the first month of sobriety, this tag celebrates early commitment and resilience.
- 60 Days: This milestone tag recognizes sustained effort during the critical early recovery phase.
- 1 Year: A significant achievement representing a full year without alcohol and a testament to perseverance and growth.
- Other tags continue to mark sobriety milestones such as 18 months, 2 years, 3 years, and beyond, encouraging lifelong sobriety.