March 28, 2025
Dear Hossein,
Thank you for sharing the AI translation of the second principle (Wadi). The presentation in English was quite clear and the AI-generated voice was very engaging. When the translation of this lecture series nears completion, we can explore how best to disseminate the series to English-speaking audiences. At a minimum, we can do a formal announcement of the availability of the series and provide a link where it can be accessed, but there may be other dissemination strategies as well that we can consider. I will give this some thought so that we can discuss this in detail in our future communications. And Shani may have ideas on how we can best disseminate this material online for those seeking help and for the general public. I think I can also arrange for some of the U.S.-based recovery bloggers to review and promote the lectures once they are available in English. And for the U.S. and Latin American audience, I think having these translated into Spanish would be of great value.
The transcription practices you describe are a good way for members of Congress 60 to master the core philosophy of Congress 60 via the worldview curriculum and to reflect on how those guidelines can be personally applied to the life of each Congress 60 member.
I am pleased to hear that you have preserved all of your writings. Having these protected in an archive as part of the history of Congress 60 is very important. My intent on doing something similar through my website was to preserve my own writings and those of kindred spirits like yourself and Dr. Kurtz for future generations. Members of our generation have made important contributions to the understanding and treatment of addiction and to what it means to live a life in long-term recovery. It is important that such knowledge be preserved so that it can serve as a foundation for future advancements when our generation has passed. It is also a way that each of us can feel we have made a contribution to such a legacy.
As you know, I have been working on a new monograph with two addiction psychiatrists and other research scientists. It will soon be posted in the William White Papers section of the Chestnut Health Systems website. The monograph reviews the research on the use of methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone in the treatment of opioid use disorders (OUDs) with a particular focus on their limitations. Key findings include that the majority of people experiencing OUD 1) are not attracted to seek treatment with these medications, 2) continue to use illicit drugs while taking these medications, 3) will not successfully taper off the medication when this is attempted, 4) drop-out of treatment before OUD remission is fully stabilized, 5) are not provided significant psychosocial support in tandem with medication, and 6) continue illicit opioid use following discontinuation of medication maintenance with renewed risk of drug overdose death. The monograph then recommends ways that the quality of medication-assisted treatment as practiced in the U.S. and most other countries could be elevated, including exploration of alternative medications and long-term tapering protocol similar to the DST method and combining medication with a an extensive menu of psychosocial, spiritual (worldview), and family supports. I think you will find that the critique in the monograph will support many of the innovations utilized by Congress 60. This review will help set the stage for presenting the findings from our latest collaboration.
Congratulations on the submission of your latest articles for publication. The pace of dissemination of Congress 60s research studies is accelerating and could exert a great influence on the future of addiction treatment and recovery.
Please extend my warm regards to your family and to all members of Congress 60.
Friends and Brothers Forever