On December 08, 2022, a seemingly ordinary news article caught *Mary's* attention in East Putnam, Connecticut. The article was about a rise in substance abuse cases due to economic downturns. While many skimmed through it, one detail about a local community outreach program stood out to Mary, a 35-year-old mother who had been quietly struggling with alcohol dependency.

Mary couldn't shake off the haunting similarity between the stories shared by others and her own life. Several years ago, she had lost her brother to substance abuse, a painful memory that resurfaced as she read the article. This connection jarred her and compelled her to take a hard look at her own situation. Her brother had died in his sleep, a casualty of unaddressed abuse issues, and the news article's mention of increasing cases felt like a ghost tapping on her shoulder.

Determined to find a solution, Mary started following the materials from the Stepping Into Action program found online. She read through the guidelines and practices, finding solace and motivation in the stories of others who had turned their lives around. For the first time in years, Mary felt a spark of hope.

As she embraced the program, Mary found particular strength in the words of one of the facilitators, who once said, 'The first step to solving a problem is admitting there is one'. This resonated with her deeply, and she began to make real changes in her daily life, reflecting on each step she took toward recovery.

However, the journey was not without its challenges. Experts in the community voiced different opinions; while some praised online programs as accessible and effective, others argued that in-person support was crucial for genuine recovery. Mary herself found the flexibility and anonymity of the online program highly beneficial, but she also missed the human touch of face-to-face interactions.

In the end, Mary realized that seeking help was undeniably the best choice she had made. Living in East Putnam, where resources were scarce, finding an online program was a godsend. Her journey wasn't easy, but the steps taken, one at a time, led her toward a brighter, more hopeful future.

Stepping Into Action program

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