What is AA?
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a support group designed to assist individuals struggling with alcohol addiction. It operates through a worldwide fellowship of men and women who share their experiences, strength, and hope to help each other recover from alcoholism, including those who participate through https://www.wfmh.org/aa/south-carolina.
In South Carolina, USA, AA is a free program with regular group meetings held across numerous cities including North Charleston, Columbia, and Charleston. These meetings provide an accessible and anonymous environment for those seeking help with alcohol dependency.
1827 Reynolds Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405
Meeting Times: Monday to Friday 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM; Saturday 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Meeting Details: This is the location of the Tricounty Intergroup Office (TCIO), which serves Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester Counties. Meetings here include both in-person and Zoom virtual sessions. The office offers AA-approved literature, a meeting schedule, and a 24-hour answering service for support.
211 Legion Drive, Lexington, SC (American Legion Hut)
Meeting Times: Sundays at 10:00 AM
Meeting Details: This meeting is a Sunday Gratitude session, which is an open discussion format welcoming anyone interested. The venue is wheelchair accessible, ensuring inclusivity for members with mobility challenges.
2238 Sumter Street, Downtown Columbia, SC (Indah Coffee)
Meeting Times: Weekly, Sundays at 10:30 AM
Meeting Details: Known as the Weekly Grind meeting, this is an open, newcomer-friendly session that follows the “As Bill Sees It” study format combined with group discussion. The meeting is also geared toward young people and held in a relaxed coffee shop environment to encourage openness and approachability.
The 12 Steps of AA
- Admit powerlessness over alcohol. Recognize that alcohol has taken control and life has become unmanageable.
- Believe in a higher power. Develop faith that a power greater than oneself can restore sanity and sobriety.
- Decide to turn will and life over. Make a conscious decision to entrust one’s will and life to the care of this higher power.
- Take a moral inventory. Conduct a fearless and thorough self-examination to identify personal shortcomings and strengths.
- Admit wrongs. Confess to oneself, the higher power, and another human being the exact nature of wrongs committed.
- Be ready for change. Become fully prepared to have the higher power remove all defects of character.
- Ask for removal of shortcomings. Humbly request the higher power to remove personal shortcomings.
- Make a list of those harmed. Identify all persons harmed and become ready to make amends.
- Make direct amends. Make amends to such people, except when it would injure them or others.
- Continue personal inventory. Maintain a constant self-assessment and promptly admit mistakes.
- Seek spiritual awakening. Pursue through prayer and meditation to improve conscious contact with the higher power.
- Carry the message forward. Having recovered, help others struggling with alcoholism and practice these principles in daily life.
These steps are central to motivating AA members across South Carolina and beyond toward sustained recovery and positive life changes.
Getting Started with AA in South Carolina, USA
Individuals seeking to join AA meetings in South Carolina are encouraged to use wfmh.org to find local meetings in their area. This website provides the most reliable and updated meeting schedules, including options for both in-person and online/virtual meetings available in most locations throughout the state.
Attending Your First Local AA Meeting
Understanding the two main types of AA meetings in South Carolina can help new members choose the environment that best suits their needs. Open meetings welcome anyone, including friends and family, whereas closed meetings are exclusively for AA members seeking a more private setting.
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meetings | Open to anyone interested in AA; often includes friends, family, and supporters. These meetings may feature guest speakers and encourage sharing from all attendees. |
| Closed Meetings | Restricted to individuals who identify as alcoholics or are seeking help for alcoholism. These meetings foster confidentiality and allow attendees to develop deeper bonds and find sponsors. |
- Arrive early and introduce yourself as a new local member to the group facilitator.
- Share your experiences only if you feel comfortable and ready to do so.
- Receive a welcome keychain tag at your first meeting as a symbol of support and encouragement.
List of Keychain Tag Milestones
| Milestone | Description |
|---|---|
| 30 days | Recognition of the first month of sobriety, encouraging continued commitment. |
| 60 days | Celebration of two months of sustained sobriety, reinforcing positive momentum. |
| 1 year | A major milestone marking a full year of sobriety, symbolizing long-term dedication. |
| Multiple years | Additional tags are awarded for each subsequent year, encouraging lifelong sobriety. |