Poetic Symbiosis: Surviving Addiction and Mental Illness

The authors are two individuals of different ages and from very different educational backgrounds. One suffers from mental health issues including Asperger's Syndrome and Complex Personality Disorder. The other is an alcoholic in sustained recovery. Meeting through a mix of family and social connections they discovered a mutual value in the use of poetry in dealing with their respective problems. This collection of poems aims to promote awareness and support to those affected and their families. They have no base in theoretical models of mental health and addiction but reflect the harsh reality of lived experience of themselves and others. The fact that they are based on personal experiences will hopefully provide information and understanding in a non-didactic manner. Some may appear direct and brutal, whilst others may show an element of wry humour. This mix is intentional since they are dealing with serious and sometimes deadly conditions. Both authors recognise the crucial value of openly discussing such personal issues in peer support and this is something that is actively encouraged. It is hoped that readers will derive as much from their efforts as they did in writing them. They have delivered poetry to audiences as part of the annual Positive Images Festival in Coventry, with subsequent publication in the festival's own booklet and Chatterbox magazine. They have also delivered poetry sessions to the Coventry and Warwickshire Mind writing group.