Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings in Ohio, Franklin, Columbus, USA

What is AA?

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a peer-led mutual support group for people who have a desire to stop drinking, organized around the fellowship of members who share experience, strength and hope to solve their common problem with alcohol through local meetings such as https://www.wfmh.org/aa/ohio/franklin/columbus.

AA meetings are free and held regularly in cities across the United States, including multiple meetings in Columbus, Franklin County and elsewhere in Ohio.

Short North Church — Drummers AA (LGBT‑friendly)

25 W 5th Ave, Columbus, OH 43201; weekly and daily meeting schedule varies (see below for typical times). Drummers AA holds multiple nightly meetings with a consistent format focused on speaker and discussion segments; meetings are open to members and allies and emphasize inclusivity for LGBTQ+ participants.

Central Ohio Group Fellowship (COGF) — Service & meeting listings

651 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215; office hours list meeting schedules and contact numbers for area groups. COGF maintains an up‑to‑date directory of local AA meetings and special events and provides 24‑hour phone contacts for meeting information and assistance.

Example local meeting sites across Columbus (sample locations)

Fowler House — 422 E Lane Ave, Columbus, OH 43201; Hale Hall — 153 W 12th Ave, Columbus, OH 43210; Karl Road Christian Church — 5400 Karl Rd, Columbus, OH 43229. These representative meeting locations host a variety of meeting formats (speaker, Big Book study, discussion, newcomer meetings), meet at scheduled times throughout the week, and usually follow standard AA meeting structure (opening, readings, sharing, closing).

The 12 Steps of AA

1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable. This first step focuses on honest acknowledgment of loss of control and the need for help from others rather than relying solely on willpower.

2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Step Two invites openness to spiritual resources or support beyond the individual, interpreted broadly within AA as any source of strength members find helpful.

3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. Step Three is a personal commitment to rely on that chosen source of strength and to allow it to guide recovery decisions.

4. Makes a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Step Four asks members to examine personal patterns, behaviors and resentments in a candid way to identify what needs change.

5. Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Step Five emphasizes disclosure to reduce secrecy and to gain perspective and accountability through sharing with a trusted person.

6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Step Six builds willingness to let go of unhelpful traits and to embrace personal change as part of recovery.

7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. Step Seven is a practice of humility and seeking help to change specific behaviors identified in earlier steps.

8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. Step Eight requires preparing to repair relationships damaged by drinking, beginning the restitution process where appropriate.

9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Step Nine implements the amends plan, balancing responsibility with consideration for others’ welfare.

10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Step Ten establishes ongoing self‑monitoring and prompt correction of mistakes to maintain sobriety progress.

11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out. Step Eleven supports regular spiritual practice (broadly defined) to sustain recovery and clarity of purpose.

12. 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. Step Twelve emphasizes service to others and living the program’s principles in daily life, including carrying the AA message to those who still suffer.

These steps aim to motivate members toward constructive and sustained change in communities throughout Ohio, including Franklin County and Columbus, by combining personal accountability, peer support, and ongoing practice.

Getting Started with AA in Ohio, Franklin, Columbus, USA

People can search meetings on wfmh.org to find local meetings in their area; this is provided here as the best variant for locating nearby AA meetings and schedules (use wfmh.org specifically to search local listings).

Most areas, including Columbus and Franklin County, offer both in‑person and online/virtual meetings; local intergroups and the AA Meeting Guide app also list hybrid options and virtual-only meetings.

Attending Your First Local AA Meeting

Open meetings welcome anyone who wishes to attend, including family and friends, while closed meetings are restricted to people who have a desire to stop drinking (members and prospective members only); both formats are commonly held across Columbus and Franklin County.

• Arrive early and introduce yourself as a new local member; a greeter or sponsor volunteer can explain meeting format and etiquette.
• Share your experiences if comfortable; participation is voluntary and should reflect personal readiness.
• Receive welcome keychain tags at your first meeting—many Central Ohio groups provide sobriety chips or tags to recognize milestones and welcome newcomers.

List of tag milestones (with descriptions)

• 30 days: A short‑term recognition (commonly a bronze or silver chip) celebrating the first month of continuous sobriety and encouraging continued engagement with meetings and sponsors.
• 60 days: A milestone acknowledging sustained early recovery and the growing use of coping tools learned in meetings and steps; often a small chip or token.
• 1 year: A major sobriety milestone frequently marked by a medallion or larger chip, symbolizing significant commitment to the program and long‑term abstinence.
• Etc. (multiple years): Additional yearly chips or medallions (e.g., 2, 5, 10 years) recognize continued sobriety and service; distribution practices vary by group but are a widespread tradition in AA.