PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — The start of a new year brings resolutions, and as things like Dry January become popular, the Warriors Heart organization wants to remind everyone, especially our service members, that sobriety can become a reality.
“There’s a lot of symbolism in this, the ups and downs of sobriety,” said Warriors Heart Virginia Executive Director Michael Marotta.
Some wear their heart on their sleeve, but Marotta, wears his on the front of his shirt.
“Warriors Heart is, we like to say, the number one healing center for our nation’s heroes,” Marotta said, “and what we’re healing from is substance use disorders, to be more specific.”
Warriors Heart helps our nation’s frontline protectors, and they are always growing, as is their mission — aiming to offer help to anyone this holiday season.
“There’s a lot of social pressures around the holidays to drink,” Marotta said. “There’s a lot of parties a lot of holiday gatherings.”
He said drinking is up nationwide, but there’s still time to make good decisions for your future.
“I think it’s important to have a plan in advance, know how you’re going to respond to the social pressures,” Marotta said. “What are you going to say if someone says, ‘Hey, here, have a drink?’ What are you going to say if someone says, ‘Hey, here, have another drink and you don’t want [one]?”
Identifying a designated driver or using a rideshare app are all great short-term decisions to make. Long-term investments are seeking out programs like Alcoholics Anonymous, or learning more about Warriors Heart’s 42-day program.
“We refer to our program as a training program,” Marotta said, “and you’re here to retrain some of these habits and rebuild a sense of purpose and wholeness.”
No matter what you’re struggling with, he said you don’t have to face it alone in 2025.
“Your mission isn’t over,” Marotta said. “You’re not alone. There’s a community of support. We got you absolutely.”
To learn more about Warrior’s Heart, click here. Warriors Heart’s 24-hour hotline is 866-955-4035.