On August 22, 2022, a significant news article emerged, detailing a sudden policy change in Washington D.C. regarding substance abuse funding. This news ripple reached far and wide, affecting even the small town of Deposit, Alabama, in ways no one could have anticipated. For *Sarah Johnson*, a 30-year-old single mother, the news struck a chord in a particularly unexpected and profound way.

Sarah had struggled with alcohol dependency for years, a burden she carried silently while working two jobs to support her young son. The new funding policy dictated stricter criteria for accessing support services, which initially threw Sarah into a state of anxiety and despair. However, it wasn't the policy itself that rocked her world but the memories it evoked of her late father, who had battled similar demons.

The news article acted as a trigger for Sarah, bringing back the memories of her father’s futile fight against alcoholism and his untimely passing when she was just a teenager. Determined not to follow the same path, Sarah realized she needed to take control of her life. She had heard about the Stepping Into Action program offered by Hofman Hollis and decided to give it a try.

Sarah began to follow the program diligently, taking the first step by admitting she needed help. Using the materials from the program, she found a community of people who shared her struggles and a series of action steps designed to help her reclaim her life. As she delved deeper into the program, she found herself encouraged by the stories of others and the practical advice it offered.

At one of the virtual meetings, Sarah resonated deeply with a quote from another participant: 'We can’t change our past, but we can change our tomorrow,' a phrase that filled her with hope and determination. She found herself motivated to make positive changes not just for herself but for her son as well.

Experts in the field were divided on the new policy. Some argued that stricter criteria would ensure that resources are allocated to those most in need, while others felt it inadvertently left behind many who were on the brink of seeking help but lacked the necessary documentation or support system to meet the new requirements. This controversy only fueled Sarah’s determination to succeed despite the odds.

Sarah realized that getting help online through programs like Stepping Into Action was a stroke of luck. The lack of local resources in Deposit might have been a barrier, but the online program provided the guidance and community she needed to take those crucial first steps. In the end, Sarah came to understand that asking for help was an act of courage, marking the beginning of her journey toward a brighter future.

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