On October 5, 2022, *Eliza Greenspan* was sipping her morning coffee in Bloomsdale, Missouri, when she stumbled upon a news article online. The story was about a sudden crackdown on opioid distribution that had netted several surprise arrests in several small towns. Little did she know that this seemingly distant news would hit so close to home.

*Eliza* had been struggling with her own issues related to substance abuse. Though she had been clean for nearly two years, the unexpected exposure of familiar names in the article triggered her deeply buried memories. It reminded her of the friends she had lost and her own downward spiral, and she found herself gripped by a sense of overwhelming anxiety.

It was then that *Eliza* decided enough was enough. She discovered the Stepping Into Action program on *Hofman Hollis*' website and decided to enroll. The material she received not only guided her but also gave her the tools to handle her anxiety triggered by the news. She particularly found solace in their practical steps for re-building a life after addiction.

According to *Eliza*, 'The news became a turning point in my life. Following the Stepping Into Action program, I could finally lay to rest the ghosts of my past.'

Experts had differing opinions on how effective online support programs are. Dr. *Monica Lewis* emphasized that well-designed online programs can provide essential life skills and coping mechanisms. However, Dr. *Thomas Crane* argued that in-person therapy provides a level of human connection that online programs simply cannot replicate.

Though opinions differ, *Eliza* is grateful. She acknowledges how hard it was to find help nearby and appreciates that programs like Stepping Into Action are available online. She firmly believes that taking that first step saved her life, showing that help can come from the most unexpected places.

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