Communications of Hossein and Bill

May,1,2013

Dear Hossein,

     I was not aware that the number of guides had now surpassed 600.  This is a remarkable milestone in the history of Congree60.  I look forward to the gift-giving ceremony photos.  I enjoyed the video of the tree=planting ceremony. What a wonderful way to celebrate rebirth and life.

     I found the information you provided on NA quite interesting.  Do you get much criticism from NA members on use of the DST method?  Here in the United States, many NA member are very critical of the use of any medication in recovery from opiate and other addictions.  The NA and Congress60 philosophies would seem to be quite different so I can understand the need for people to choose which they feel would be best for them.

     Today, I am finishing work on a survey I helped conduct to find out the number of people in addiction recovery in the City of Philadelphia and surrounding counties.  We found that about 10% of the adult population had recovered from an alcohol or drug problem in their earlier life but that many continued to have health problems.  This is one more confirmation that recovery is far more than the removal of alcohol and drugs from an otherwise unchanged life.  One of many things I like about your approach in Congress60  is attention to the whole person—including physical health, emotional and relational health and worldview.  That is the true path to full recovery.  

     I look forward to our continued conversations  about the smoking cessation study.

Friends and Brothers Forever,

Bill