May 19, 2018
Dear Bill,
I hope you are fine, I am well.
Our beach rugby team gaining the first place in tournament made us all happy and full of energy. 5 of our players are called to the national team.
25 players were called to the national team altogether. I am sending some related photos.
We had 7 games in this tournament and we played against strong players. We didn’t even lose one game, and the final was live on TV.
Dear Bill, when I was watching them playing my eyes were full of tears and I was amazed. It was the most wonderful scene that walking dead of yesterday are alive again and under a true treatment, God’s will, and prolonged recovery they have transformed into national champions.
Extend my greetings to Mrs. Rita, and I am happy that the eye surgery went well. Please lend the hand-crafted gift that I have sent thorough Dr. Hamed to her. It is to show my gratitude to her for her support and companionship with you.
Hopefully your finger problem will be solved soon. I use pen for my writings and seldom use computer.
I am delighted with this blogs of yours. I am agreed with you that making the recovery known can decrease the addiction related stigmas.
What can break these stigmas according to me are:
1. We shouldn’t separate ourselves from normal people and we shall never assume that we differ from them.
2. We should never curse in our speaking.
3. We must dress nicely and cleanly.
4. We should show gratitude to those who are helping us.
5. Never to blame other friends, families and professionals for our problems.
6. We must accept that we are responsible for our troubles in life.
All in all we must try to decrease stigmas through our behavior.
I can recall from 18 years ago that I was invited to a TV show and the host asked me now that you have introduced yourself as a former addict don’t you think people will look down on you?
I will make them respect me with my behaviors and actions, I replied.
Today I am happy that I fulfilled what I claimed via my actions.
About the recovery stories I must say that it had been a while that our participation in radio and TV programs is decreased. However, we are so active in website section which has about 30.000 viewers daily.
Our co-travelers are very active in website. Now that you have mentioned it (recovery message) I will rethink it.
It makes me happy to do a joint research with Dr. Godley, your colleague. Hopefully the politics won’t stop us from doing that. And I will also be delighted to visit Dr. Galanter in one of his visits’ to Iran.
About our retention rate research I must add that only 30 individuals are left to be tested. The result is dazzling and the retention rate is more than 8o %.
This test is for about 2 years after treatment completion milestone and I believe the results will be unbelievable even in my country.
Maybe even they call it a lie!
My family is well and 5 of us are working and living together. They follow our communications closely.
Today that I am writing this letter is the 3rd day of Ramazan so forgive my delay in communication. We are busy with cooking and providing food.
This month the Congress 60 is so vibrant.
Friends and brothers on heaven and earth forever
Hossein