Jun 9, 2017
Dear Hossein,
Thank you for your responses to my questions. They are always informative and deepen my knowledge of Congress 60’s philosophy and methods.
I am quite interested in how clinics in Iran are adapting the DST method. Are the clinics using OT instead of methadone or switching patients from methadone to OT and then using the DST method to taper them over an eleven-month period? What supports are they offering patients after medication support has ceased?
I would agree that integrating other resources like the 14 Valleys would be as important to achieving long-term recoveries as the DST method and also wonder if any of the clinics are adapting the larger culture of Congress 60—the group support, the involvement in sport, arts, community service? I think the DST method is a powerful tool but equally powerful is the larger culture of recovery you have created within Congress 60. My fear is that others will use or adapt the DST method as an isolated technique while ignoring the larger culture of recovery that supports people as this method is applied.
As you are aware, the U.S. is experiencing a sustained surge in opioid use and related deaths. The response has focused on emergency responses to overdoses and expanding access to medications such as methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone, but far less attention has been given to alternative medications such at OT and to a broader array of recovery support services that will help people rebuild their identities and daily lifestyles and support their affected families. I hope through my continued advocacy writings to be able to improve this situation.
I am delighted to hear that the issue of smoking has achieved such visibility within Congress 60. I think it is one of the more important outcomes that has emerged from our conversations. I am continuing to push this issue here in the U.S. as well and some progress is being made, though not nearly as dramatic as that achieved within Congress 60.
Friends and Brothers Forever,
Bill