January 28, 2025
Dear Hossein,
Thank you for your latest communication. I am always pleased with the arrival of your latest news from Tehran and reports on your activities and the work of Congress 60.
I think one of hallmarks of Congress 60’s success has been to question everything and let your own experience and experiments guide your approach to the treatment of addiction rather than accept the prevailing views in the field of addiction treatment. That questioning has led to many fresh perspectives and innovations. It is also the very essence of the scientific method and filtering scientific findings through the filter of experiential knowledge. I am trying to emulate that approach in the new monograph I am working on related to challenges of retention in medication-assisted treatment of opioid use disorder.
I think translations of your speeches into English will be an important step in spreading Congress 60’s theory and methods of addiction treatment and recovery support internationally even though it will be impossible to completely replicate the passion and firmness of your own voice. Do keep me updated on this progress and convey my admiration for those Congress 60 members working on the translations. Like you, I have tried to preserve and post some of my key presentations in hopes they will offer guidance to those involved in addiction treatment far into the future. In both our cases, there may be far more interest in our words after we are no longer physically present than was the case when we were living. We have both played the “long game” with the patience and persistence through which we have tried to reshape the field of addiction treatment.
The continued growth of the William White Legions is deeply inspiring and personally meaningful to me. I wish I was able to meet each Legion member and guide to directly express my admiration for their efforts. They are writing a new chapter in the history of addiction treatment that will save and extend countless lives.
Work on our latest joint research project is progressing well. Ehsan jus sent us the data that has been collected over these past weeks. Please thank everyone in Congress 60 who has helped with the data collection effort. We can now begin to analyze the Iran and U.S. data as part of our updated profile of Congress 60 and its methods. Our hope is that we can finish the work in 2025 and submit the results for publication. That paper will mark a significant update of our earlier publications and stir greater interest in Congress 60.
Just as the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous stirred adaptation of AA to problems beyond alcohol dependence, I think the philosophy and methods of Congress 60 will go on to be adapted as treatment and recovery support for medical conditions and other problems of living beyond those of addiction. I hope to see the beginning of those adaptations in our lifetime.
The U.S. has experienced many natural disasters in 2024 with many families displaced from the damage, and the state of Florida has had more than its share. Rita and I are fortunate that we escaped the worst of the hurricane damage, but repairs will continue in Southwest Florida throughout the coming year. These past months have witnessed a flurry of activity of destroyed homes and businesses being rebuilt and others undergoing extensive repairs. Mother Nature is trying to tell us something. I hope as a species we can heed her warnings.
Please extend my warmest regards to your family and to all members of Congress 60.
Friends and Brothers Forever
Bill