نسخه فارسی
نسخه فارسی

Communications of Hossein and Bill (Reply to Hossein - Nov 26, 2019)

 Communications of Hossein and Bill (Reply to Hossein - Nov 26, 2019)

Nov 26,2019

Dear Hossein,

Let me begin by sharing news of the recovery conference held here November 13-15 here in Punta Gorda, Florida. More than 350 people attended, most of whom work doing recovery outreach in jails and hospital emergency rooms or providing recovery support services through local recovery community organizations in such settings as recovery homes, collegiate recovery programs, recovery community centers, or recovery cafes. The latter have sprung up as coffee houses where people in recovery can gather and socialize.

The conference this year focused on the theme of “multiple pathways of recovery” and featured speakers representing different approaches to recovery support—from 12-Step programs like Narcotics Anonymous to secular programs like SMART Recovery. A number of people at the conference approached me to say how much they enjoyed the blog we co-authored on recovery community organization leadership. I am very pleased that we co-authored that piece of writing given the positive feedback we have received on it.

I appreciate your reflections on the meaning of psyche and quite agree with the definition you provided. There has been such an emphasis on the neurobiology of addiction here in the U.S. in recent years that psyche seems to have been reduced to a series of brain scans, with what the person actually experiences being lost. Your definition is far more accurate as it related to what we experience—what creates our I-ness.

“Psyche: summary of perceptions and feelings which manifests within thinking, acting and talking” should provide a foundation or us to explore the meanings of the other terms we wish to explore. Putting this core ideas into a framework that offers solutions to the problem of addiction as you suggest is like putting a puzzle together.

As to your question, “What makes the psyche?” I would suggest that the psyche is made up of the interaction of the biology of the mind (the influences of genetics and our brain chemistry) and our cumulative experiences and the imprints left from those experiences that influence how we perceive, think, feel, act, relate, and value. What is called temperament or personality are shaped by both biology and developmental experience—both in turn shaped by environmental circumstances in which we find ourselves. And these same interactions explain the numerous pathways into addiction and the obstacles and opportunities one faces at the doorway of recovery. I think vulnerability for addiction rests in the interactions of biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors but that biology (the cellular hunger for drugs) dominates in later stages of addiction and must therefore be assertively managed if people are to get beyond the stage of early recovery. I think what the DST method does is manage this biologic

This week we celebrate our Thanksgiving holiday. Let me take this opportunity as I do every year to thank you for your continued friendship and for our continued opportunities to work together to promote recovery around the world. And extend my thanks to all members of Congress 60 for adopting me into the Congress 60 family.

Friends and Brothers Forever,

Bill

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