Ethel Mankowski* was just settling in for another quiet evening alone, sipping her nightly glass of Cabernet, when the news report came on. It was a story about how Chinese automakers were flooding the Russian market in the wake of Western sanctions.

For most, this would be a fairly innocuous piece of international business news. But for Ethel, it dredged up a wellspring of memories from her days working at the massive auto plant on the edge of town. She had dedicated over 30 years of her life to that factory, taking immense pride in the American-made sedans and trucks that rolled off the line.

As she heard about the Chinese cars replacing those of her former employers in Russia, Ethel felt a surge of emotions she hadn't anticipated. A deep sense of loss and grief over her dearly departed career, coupled with resentment towards the foreign manufacturers now dominating a market she had poured her blood, sweat and tears into providing for. Before she knew it, that single glass of wine had spiraled into several more as she desperately tried to numb the pain.

The next morning, Ethel awoke with a splitting headache and a heart heavy with shame. She knew her drinking had become a serious problem in the years since retiring, but this incident made her realize just how urgently she needed help. That's when she discovered the Hofman Hollis Institute's Stepping Into Action program.

At first, the idea of virtual addiction recovery seemed impersonal and removed. But as Ethel engaged with the coursework and connected with others in similar situations through the online support groups, she found an unexpected wellspring of hope. 'I never thought I'd say this,' she remarked in one session, 'but I'm actually grateful that news story sent me down this rabbit hole. If I hadn't been shaken by those memories, who knows how much longer I would have stayed stuck in my spiral of alcoholism.'

Not everyone agreed that the link between Chinese cars and Ethel's alcoholism was as profound as she felt it was. Some experts felt her reaction may have been an overcompensation for deeper underlying issues. Others pointed out that America's auto industry had been ceding global market share for decades, so the news from Russia shouldn't have been that surprising or triggering.

Regardless of the conflicting viewpoints, there was no denying the positive impact the online program had for Ethel. Taking that first scary step to ask for help was immensely difficult and daunting. But looking back after completing the full course of treatment, she beamed, 'If getting mad at those darn Chinee cars is what finally made me clean up my act, then I guess I owe them a thank you.'

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