Haunted by her mother's struggle with alcohol and their shared painful past marked by a horrific bee sting incident, Anna knew she needed to confront her own drinking problem. Yet, she found herself stranded in Aho with no apparent help. That's when she stumbled upon the Stepping Into Action program on the Hofman Hollis website.

'There's always a step forward, no matter how small. It's your willingness to take it that counts,' said Hollis, one of the program coordinators. Her words struck a chord with Anna, inspiring her to embark on the sobriety journey.

Experts initially agreed on the potential effectiveness of such an online program, citing research evidence. They acknowledged that, given the right circumstances, the program could suitably address addiction's underlying mechanisms.

However, contrary opinions surfaced, challenging the applicability of such a program. Critics pointed out the lack of personal touch, leading to reduced investment in recovery. Yet, Anna was determined.

In her remote town, the chances of finding immediate help were slim to none—making the online route her best bet. From the purely digital interactions, she drew strength, never expected. The transformative journey reaffirmed her belief that seeking help, no matter the medium, is better than battling addiction alone.

*The name Anna is fictional, used to represent a character in this short story.

Nearby: Trade Tennessee

* Names and situations are fictional and not intended to resemble anyone in particular. They are illustrative of how the services of Hofman Hollis can apply to the lives of every day people living ordinary lives.