*Mary Ann* had always lived a quiet life in Cyrene, Missouri. The small town provided the comfort and stability she needed after her troubling past with substance abuse. However, on January 20, 2023, a piece of news unexpectedly disrupted her calm.

The headlines declared a severe policy change regarding alcohol regulations. As she read through the article, memories from her younger days flooded back. The struggles and the dark times she had fought so hard to move past now seemed closer than ever.

Back when *Mary Ann* was in her twenties, she had suffered from acute alcohol dependence. The presence of her long-estranged brother, *Dan*, had been the trigger. Their bond was tight, but it vied between love and enabling. Dan's untimely death from overdose served as a grim awakening, prompting Mary Ann to seek help and turn her life around.

The article about the policy change triggered the pain of her past, but it also stirred a resolve to never return to those dark days. She remembered seeing an ad for a program called Stepping Into Action on hofmanhollis.com. Determined to avoid spiraling backward, she signed up.

The program provided resources, community support, and action plans. It taught Mary Ann how to turn her anger and anxiety into productive action. In one of the program's live sessions, the coach said, 'The power to change is in all of us. All it needs is a spark.'

Experts from the substance abuse community hailed the Stepping Into Action program for its innovative approach and comprehensive materials. Proponents argued that it provided the necessary tools and support to keep individuals on the right path. However, some critics voiced concerns about its cost and questioned whether an online program could offer the same level of support as in-person therapy.

For Mary Ann, the program was a lifeline. She found solace in knowing that even in a small town like Cyrene, where resources for addiction recovery were scarce, she could access world-class support online. Mary Ann's renewed commitment to sobriety proved that seeking help, no matter how difficult, was a good idea.

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