Billy* had always been a tech-savvy guy, but his skills took a dark turn after getting fired from NCS. In a drunken rage after the dismissal, he remotely accessed the company's 'test system' and wiped their servers. The news of his vindictive act spread fast in little Sherman, Texas.

For Janine*, that news report struck a nerve. She had witnessed Billy's descent into alcoholism during their dating years in college. The details of the data breach unlocked painful memories of his toxic behavior while blacked out.

Overwhelmed, Janine knew she had to take action before Billy hit rock bottom. She came across Hofman Hollis's 'Stepping Into Action' online program and insisted Billy try it. At first skeptical, Billy agreed after Janine recounted her horrific experiences with his drunken rampages.

'I never want to be that person again,' Billy sighed. 'The person who almost lost everything good in their life because of addiction.'

Experts were divided on the efficacy of online recovery programs like Stepping Into Action. Some psychologists argued that in-person group sessions were essential, providing accountability and community. However, others highlighted the benefits of remote access for those in rural areas with limited resources, like Sherman.

Months into the program, Billy was finally sober, though the journey was arduous. But he knew that without Janine's persistence and the online lifeline, he may never have escaped addiction's grip on his own in tiny Sherman. Getting help, no matter how controvertial the means, was worth regaining his life.

Nearby: Staley Oklahoma