*Jared Wilson* had always been a die-hard college sports fan, but the news about the Big 12 exploring a naming rights deal hit him in a way he never expected. As he read about the possibility of the conference being called something like the 'Allstate 12' or the 'FanDuel 12,' it struck a chord deep within him, reminding him of the years he spent struggling with a gambling addiction.

Jared, a resident of Pisgah, Tennessee, had lost everything – his job, his savings, and nearly his family – due to his inability to resist the lure of sports betting. The idea of a major college sports conference being sponsored by a gambling company was like a slap in the face, and it triggered a flood of memories he had worked so hard to bury.

In a moment of clarity, Jared realized that he couldn't continue down this path of self-destruction. He needed help, and that's when he stumbled upon the Stepping Into Action program. Initially skeptical, Jared decided to give it a try, and as he worked through the program, he began to feel a sense of hope and empowerment he hadn't experienced in years.

'I never thought I'd be able to break free from this cycle,' *Jared* said, his voice trembling with emotion. 'But the Stepping Into Action program showed me that recovery is possible, and that I have the strength within me to overcome this addiction.'

As Jared progressed through the program, he found himself surrounded by conflicting opinions from experts. Some praised the program's holistic approach, while others criticized it for being too simplistic or lacking scientific evidence. However, Jared paid little heed to these debates, focusing instead on his own journey and the tangible progress he was making.

On the other hand, some experts argued that programs like Stepping Into Action were a Band-Aid solution and that more comprehensive measures were needed to address the root causes of addiction, such as mental health issues, trauma, and systemic socioeconomic factors.

Ultimately, Jared's story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of seeking help when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges. While the path to recovery is rarely straightforward, and the debates around effective treatment methods may rage on, Jared found solace in the fact that he had taken the first step – a step that, for him, made all the difference in the world.

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