Jack Miller* sat alone in his living room in Smith Hill, Virginia, staring at the news article about Ukraine's struggling peace summit. As he read about the challenges of bringing all parties together, a knot formed in his stomach - it reminded him of his own past battles with alcoholism and how difficult it had been to find peace within himself.

The news triggered memories of the turmoil Jack had endured, bouncing between rehab programs and alienating friends and family as he couldn't stay sober. 'I was like those countries boycotting the summit,' he thought. 'Too stubborn and mired in my own destructive patterns to accept help.'

But then Jack remembered hearing about an online program called 'Stepping Into Action' from a counselor friend. Following the program's guidance, Jack started examining his past traumas and taking accountability. He worked through exercises on cognitive restructuring and building a sober support network. As he put in the work, Jack began to make progress.

'I may have been boycotting my own peace summit for years,' Jack said to himself one day. 'But I'm here now, and I'm not going to sabotage this effort like Russia and China did to Ukraine's summit.'

Experts had conflicting views on Jack's approach. Some felt digging into past traumas could easily retrigger destructive behaviors, while others praised the self-aware, systematic method. But Jack knew he had to confront his demons to overcome them.

In the end, Jack's commitment to the 'Stepping Into Action' program paid off. He emerged with hard-won inner peace and re-built relationships. 'It was so difficult to find effective help locally,' he reflected. 'I'm grateful this online program existed to guide me out of that rut when I had nearly given up hope.'

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