January 13, 2024
Dear Bill,
I hope you are fine; I am well.
I am happy to hear about gifting Mrs. Rita due to the companion week, and I loudly said, "Thank you" out of joy.
As I mentioned, we have educational planning all across Congress 60; in other words, the topic of educational workshops or our sessions is preplanned yearly. We need to translate the academic topics and share them with you. Based on this yearly plan, a week is designated for the companions every December. During the week, all the branches talk about companions, and every traveler presents a gift to their companion.
How did it all come to be?
In the early days of Congress 60, we didn't let family members enter even the building, let alone the traveler's meetings. So they had no choice but to wait at the entrance for their traveler. Gradually, the number grew, and neighbors started complaining about the crowd waiting at the door. So we invited the family members into the building and asked them to wait for their traveler in a room.
Then, they started making issues since they had nothing to do during the meeting. To give them something to do, I said you have to do the same as travelers and have a meeting of your own with the same rules.
It was only to keep them occupied, but after a while, I realized educating family members or companions significantly positively affects the quality of treatment. The family members started to cooperate and learned how to solve family and social issues they shared.
Later on, I learned that redemption or recovery has two wings. One is the traveler, and the other is the traveler's companion.
That is why we always had a week dedicated to the companions. The education for both groups follows the same principles, which makes the companions and the family firm.
There is another rule to it:
People are not allowed to share phone numbers; it is not allowed to ask about each other's jobs, addresses, and family names. Members are prohibited from going to each other's homes.
Congress 60 is like a hospital! Maybe this goes against what the 12 program believes, but this is what we practiced, and the result is great.
In fact, people must learn to respect the privacy of others in Congress 60. We have a good environment in Congress 60, and no one has expectations from other members.
Congress 60 is filled with love and friendship; during the past 25 years, I have never witnessed a fight. Congress 60 is a place of education and nurturing.
I am happy to hear you are co-writing with Dr. Best. What is the topic, if you don't mind me asking?
As for your question about training programs, I know there is some social service training, but I don't know the details.
Since Congress 60 has totally different ideas about addiction treatment, I have asked our members to pursue education in psychology or sociology. We have many members getting their degrees or PhDs. I have asked them to try to transfer our knowledge to the universities.
I believe that what universities are teaching must be revised! These fields need renovation because, as I always say, science must be practical.
We have had good rains in the past few days. Some cities and high altitudes had snow. We are faced with a lack of water, so hopefully, rain continues.
Yes, dear Bill,
I believe Mother Earth is unhappy with all the destruction humans are causing. We read in our holy book that the highest command comes from God. Raining and blessings are correlated with human behaviors. And now some people are destroying the earth just like viruses!
And let me finish this email with a short story:
A drunk was looking for something under a streetlight. A police officer approaches, asking what you are looking for. The drunk says I am looking for my keys. Police officer started searching as well, but he couldn't find the keys, so he asked the drunk, are you sure that you lost the keys here under this streetlight?
No, I lost them in the park, but it was too dark, so I am looking for the keys under this light here, the drunk replied.
This is the story of addiction treatment in the
medical field!
Be young and immortal.
Friends and brothers on heaven and earth forever