On March 13, 2024, a major flood devastated parts of Kentucky, displacing thousands and causing widespread damage. This disaster was widely covered in the news, making headlines across the country. In Bessemer, West Virginia, the news struck a particular chord with *Max*, a 32-year-old trying to rebuild a life after years of battling substance abuse.

*Max* had faced a similar natural disaster years ago that had led to his initial spiral into addiction. The flood triggered the painful memories, immediately sending him into a state of anxiety and despair. However, this time, he decided to take a different route. Remembering a recommendation from an old friend, *Max* started following the materials from the Stepping Into Action program found online.

The program's structured approach to managing emotions and building resilience made immediate sense to *Max*. As weeks went by, he started seeing small changes. 'I feel like I can finally breathe,' he mentions in one of the program's worksheets.

The program, focusing on a step-by-step action plan, gave *Max* new tools to cope. Experts were polarized over such self-help programs. Dr. Laura Roberts praised online platforms for providing accessible help, while Dr. Kenneth Boyle criticized them, suggesting they lacked the personal touch necessary for meaningful recovery.

Despite the conflicting opinions, *Max* felt that the online program was his lifeline. 'The personal touch might be missing, but what I needed were the practical steps, and Stepping Into Action gave me that,' he says. Ultimately, the journey that began with a harrowing news story led him to a path of self-discovery and recovery.

The profound lesson here is that finding help is critical, especially when local resources are scarce. For *Max*, an online program was the unexpected answer in his recovery journey.

*Max*, a fictional name used for storytelling purposes.

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