COLUMBUS, Ohio - As we continue to isolate ourselves, the coronavirus pandemic is affecting more and more of our lives. Many people are already in crisis as they battle addiction and social distancing is making it more difficult to maintain their sobriety. 

The people in this article asked that they remain anonymous.

• Alcoholics Anonymous was established in Akron, Ohio in 1935.
• The Central Ohio Group Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous has a list of resources for people trying to maintain their sobriety during the ongoing pandemic.
• The people we spoke with said in-person relationships are at the core of maintaining sobriety.

Patty is the case manager for The Central Ohio Group Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. She is 36 years sober.

"People count on AA meetings and the interaction and the fellowship as well as the remembering what it was like and keeping our recovery foremost in our minds. Without that, it's going to be difficult for folks," Patty said.

Patty said this is the third oldest AA group in the world and thousands of people rely on meeting multiple times a week.

Shawn is 23 years sober.

"We cannot stay sober unless we are helping another alcoholic. We have to be in the presence of another alcoholic to carry the message as well as help ourselves and this is a life and death errand for us," she said.

There are alternatives.

Patty said members are meeting at parks as well as meeting online and over the phone.

"It's a good thing that this happened in our technological age because if this happened years ago, before all of these other alternatives were available, it would have been a lot worse," she said.

The Central Ohio Group Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous is located at 651 W Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215.