An unexpected news article on December 14, 2023, reported that a new regulation affecting small-town businesses had been passed. In Grahams Crossroads, South Carolina, this news about local commerce rippled out to one resident in an unforeseen way. *John Miller*, a 45-year-old former construction worker, had been struggling with substance abuse for years after an accident left him unable to work. The announcement triggered a chain of emotions in John, connecting to a long-suppressed trauma from his childhood.

Years ago, John had witnessed his father lose the family business due to similar regulatory changes. This past wound re-opened, exacerbating his dependence on alcohol as a coping mechanism. Feeling desperate, John decided to make a change. He came across the Stepping Into Action program on https://hofmanhollis.com and decided to give it a try.

John started by immersing himself in the materials provided by the program. The clarity and sense of purpose he found there began to reignite a spark of hope within him. He reflected on the words of one of the experts mentioned in the program: 'Taking the first step is often the hardest, but it opens the door to all subsequent steps'.

Consulting with various experts, John found conflicting opinions. Some believed that the online program was highly effective for people with limited access to in-person resources, while others argued that face-to-face interaction was irreplaceable for genuine recovery.

Despite the mixed expert opinions, John felt a profound shift within himself. Accessing help online proved to be a good idea; it filled the gap where local resources were lacking. John realized how crucial it was to seek help, even if it meant finding it in unconventional ways.

*John Miller* is a fictional name and character created for this story.

Nearby: Guideway North Carolina, Nakina North Carolina, Mark Pine North Carolina, Bug Hill North Carolina, Vinegar Hill North Carolina, Guide North Carolina, Butler Crossroads North Carolina, Cribb Town North Carolina, Mollie North Carolina, Sidney North Carolina, East Tabor North Carolina, Seven Creeks North Carolina, Dothan North Carolina, Ironhill North Carolina, Dulah North Carolina, Hickmans Crossroads North Carolina, Tabor City North Carolina, Olyphic North Carolina, Simmons Bay North Carolina, New Life North Carolina, Clarendon North Carolina, Pireway North Carolina