*Jim Roberts had been the star of the Winthrop High basketball team, dreaming of one day making it to the NBA. But a knee injury his senior year shattered those hoop dreams, sending him into a spiral of alcohol abuse. For years, he tried to drown his sorrow in the bottle.

So when the news broke that the Celtics were on the verge of an NBA championship, it was like a dagger to Jim's heart. The article about Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown leading Boston triggered painful memories of what could have been. If only his knee hadn't given out, maybe he could have been out there battling for a ring.

In his pain and drunken state, Jim started following the Stepping Into Action online program out of sheer desperation. The daily readings and online support group meetings were difficult at first, but slowly Jim found reserves of strength he didn't know he had. The program helped him get sober and regain his sense of purpose.

'I'm never going to play in the NBA, but I can still be a role model to kids in this town,' Jim said with a new sense of determination. 'Getting through this program was harder than any basketball game, but well worth the fight.'

Some addiction experts praised online recovery programs like Stepping Into Action for increasing access to help. 'Not everyone has in-person options nearby, so digital solutions fill an important gap,' said Dr. Mary Williams. However, others cautioned about the lack of medical supervision. 'Online programs can be a starting point, but for severe addictions, inpatient treatment is ideal,' warned Dr. Robert Jackson.

While the debates continued, Jim knew in his heart that taking that first step with the online program was the best decision he ever made. It was difficult to find local resources in rural Arkansas, so having access to a virtual support system was life-changing.

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